Gluten-Free Diet

Many British also have to be gluten-free. There are notes on many labels and on many menus. A little digging around should suit you well. Good luck on discovering your new lifestyle.

Countries don't all use the same standards for labeling their products. You need to be aware if you are very sensitive to gluten products. The good news is that fries (chips) are still available to you since they turn up as a side dish with just about everything ordered in the UK:). We had really good luck at a couple of Turkish restaurants that grilled fresh meats and vegetables right in front of us. I would also do a little preplanning when possible and look at different restaurants' menus online to make sure there was something on them I could or would want to eat. I can eat gluten products, but try to limit how much.

Your responses are helpful. I'm happy to hear, Nigel, that I will find labels on some foods. I wonder where I'll find gluten-free scones?!

Sharon, I read a lot of food blogs and I've noticed that there are many people on gluten free diets with food blogs. You might do a search and see what blogs come up. In particular, Gluten Free Girl (glutenfreegirl.com) has lots of links to other blogs and resources. Similarly, try a site like urbanspoon or chowhound for suggestions. Good Luck ... and perhaps just skip the scones and eat the clotted cream right out of the jar :) Laura

Thanks, Laura. Good to hear. I'll check into this.

The UK is very familiar with celiac although they spell it differently. I'm sure you will have no trouble finding foods labeled gluten-free. Some restaurants may have ions labeled on the menu. If they do not, be careful ordering sauces and soups, but I' m sure you know that. I've never really found a good gluten-free bread substitute, so I wish you luck with the scones. I like the idea of just going for the clotted cream.

I think I'm sunk. Food is an important part of my travels - not only am I now on a gluten-free diet, but they have taken me off dairy. Perhaps by May I will be back on dairy - not sure? Scones with clotted cream, fish and chips - just two of the English foods that I totally look forward to. Guess I'll have to switch my food focus.

Hello Sharon! As far as managing it personally, there are indeed many excellent gluten free blogs which have wonderful recipes and information on resources! As for traveling, Indian restaurants are also a good bet - although they do use some wheat (chapati's, etc.) you can find a huge number of dishes that don't contain gluten. Before leaving, you might also check out restaurant menus online to see what is on offer and see if it will work for you!
As for England two chains - Wagamama and Pret a Manger both have gluten free options - they aren't haute cuisine but they are good and reasonably priced!

Thanks, Nancy. We love the Indian food in England, so that's good. And, we like Pret A Manger. Perhaps not as bad as I was envisioning. I'm new into this so I will learn.

Sharon, be careful even with grilled meats, some things like chicken and even fish are dredged in a light coating of flour and spices, not a batter, and often barely noticible on the meat when cooked, but obviously a problem for you. The reason I bring this up is I worked in a very posh place years ago, the customer said he needed a gluten free meal, i told the chef, but, then saw the chef dredge the mans chicken breast and told the chef we couldn't serve that, ,, the chef blew up at me when I explained that gluten free meant NO flour, not that a little bit didn't count. I had a friend who was celiac so was quite . I took a RS tour a few years ago, there was a family with two members who were celiacs,,most places we ate in were fine, but there was one place that severed a soup ,,thickened without flour BUT with a lovely crouton floating on top. The lady asked for the soup to go back, but the waiter thought she should just remove the crouton with her spoon,, he just didn't get it...
On the flip side, we stayed at an agritourima athat actually went out and bought and prepared a lovely pasta dish for this family,, a gluten free dish as they went to the trouble of finding rice pasta. It is available in many places now, as many gluten free products are.

Hi Sharon My wife is celiac. We travelled to France last May and she had very few problems finding food choices. So it can be done and still have enjoyable meals. You need to speak with the restaurant staff and if possible with the chef. All were very accomodating and went out of their way to provide a gluten-free meal. You may have to limit your choices and make substitutions, but you should be fine. As for fish and chips, then that may be another story. I am sure that you are aware, but chips will need to be cooked in a dedicated fryer and not with the battered fish. That is something you need to ask the waiter or chef. We stayed at a B & B and a gite in France, and advised them prior to our arrival of my wife's food needs. Both went out of their way to cook separate meals or made the menu fit her needs. Although you will not require this for England, but my wife carried translated cards with her that she could give to the waiter which explained her situation and food requirements. Good luck!

David, this is very interesting to me. My husband and I were in France 2 years ago, and now I've been wondering how I would ever go back foodwise. I remember the breakfasts: baguettes, croissants, yoghurt (which right now I can't have either). Good to know there are ways around this. I never even thought about french fries not being cooked in the same oil as the fish. There is really so much to consider. I have been much better since I went off gluten, but it sounds as if they will do additional tests because they suspect celiacs. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Sharon, the UK is like Disneyland for Celiacs, especially if you are doing self-catering and preparing your own meals. This may not be for everyone, but it is the best way for me to travel. There are many prepared items/GF bangers, bacon, ham etc. at the supermarkets over there. They taste way better too! Breads, cakes, biscuits, ice cream, tarts, pies are also amazing (GF), and you really won't want for much. Everything is clearly marked "suitable for Coeliac or unsuitable." Indian restaurants (depends on the part of India the folks are from), may only have rice and pea "breads" which is awesome. Even if they handle wheat, they would tell you right away if they can accommodate you or not. I had appam (made from rice, and resembles a kind of flat pancake) with my curry. Delicious. I no longer dream of things I used to have, but focus on what I can have. We do self-catering most of the time, and I grocery shop local so that's a good enough experience for me. The one fish and chips place I tried in 09, made me so sick in London that I won't bother messing with that anymore. It was The Mermaid and I believe in Leicester Square. I also ate at a few pubs and got sick, so now I avoid like the plague. Sorry you have to deal with this. My daughter was diagnosed in 2010 and I was in 2003. We have adapted and forgotten about baguettes, pain au chocolat, croissants and the like. The pain and sickness afterwards makes these things appear as a nightmare for me now. Best of luck. PM me if you need anymore help. Sorry to be a downer, but I've been there and DONE THAT.

If you get a chance to visit York, do look for El Piano. All GF restaurant and caters to vegans and vegetarians. It was pure delight to enter an establishment and not ask for a GF menu, lol France is getting better, but I do my own cooking so can't advise about eating out, though I had a meal in 2008 and they accommodated me, but later got contaminated. Schar's breads/cakes/biscuits/cookies can be found in Paris but not all over France. Depends on the supermarche and where they are located. Italy wasn't so great either, but hopefully getting better. Continental does a good GF meal but order ahead. Still, I would recommend you take GF snacks (pretzels, cookies, breakfast bars, certified GF nuts if you can have them) on you because any delays in the airport here or over there could result in you either taking a chance and getting sick, or having to starve. I am also lactose intolerant and it tends to come and go. Use Lactaid if you can and see if that helps. At the moment I am also fructose intolerant so have to do very LOW carbs and that's making life a misery. I am going to Europe in May also, but skipping the UK this time. Best of lucky.

Will be ok in uk - no problem (foods often have enough info, although you should bring your diet info with you too). Tons people in uk have coeliac disease/gluten intolerance. There is a coeliac disease society in uk, as far as i know, they'll presumably have a helpful website.
S

Ps look at coeliac uk. This is the society you want. It explains labelling here - and the law relating to it. I'm sure they'd help you if you contacted them with specific questions. (it even has a section on people visiting the uk from abroad)!
S

Susan, I spent almost six weeks in Abingdon last year and they sent me packages of GF stuff free!

I can't even begin to tell you all how helpful this information has been. I totally appreciate it!

If you go to the Graffiti Wall section of the Rick Steves' site, there is a heading called dietary restrictions. There are also some gluten free in Europe links within the posts there as well.

Pre-pack gluten-free snacks (e.g. kind bars / think bars) so you have snacks on hand when traveling. Europe is one of the largest exporters of gluten-free goods, so you won't have too hard of a time with eating. When at restaurants in England ask for gluten-free menus/items. I travel professionally and personally a lot so I always pack bars with me. Chips and fresh fruit in the airports kiosk really are the way to go to keep it healthy and from snacking on junk food. Good luck & Safe Travels! Rachelle King
Blinded By The Bite!