Managing Food Allergies while visiting Italy

I would bring a card that has that information written in Italian. Start with Google translate but hopefully find a native speaker who can confirm it for you. Hand it to your waiter to show the chef. My son does not eat dairy or gluten and we did fine in Italy last year, and I doubt you will have many problems with nuts, but the egg may be an issue considering how pervasive it is in pasta and things like pizza crust. I would definitely bring a couple of cases of safe granola bars with you as a back up.

I just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Italy. We visited Naples, Rome, Florence, Varenna, and Venice. I am gluten and lactose intolerant, and I am also unable to tolerate all other grains, potatoes, and spinach. Before leaving, I learned how to say (in Italian) that I am intolerant to gluten, lactose, all grains, spinach, and potatoes. I also printed up a card to carry with me which described my allergies in Italian.

I mainly had fruit for breakfast (either from our hotel or a grocery store), skipped lunch, and then had an early dinner. In general, it was difficult for me to find a quick lunch, which was why I usually skipped it. In order to have a real meal, I usually had to order off the menu from the second course--a grilled meat with vegetables.

The further south we were in Italy, fewer restaurants had allergens listed. The further north we went, more restaurants had allergens listed. I certainly wouldn't count on it for every restaurant. Some days it took us an hour of walking around and checking menus to find one that had allergens listed. I would recommend doing some homework online to find some restaurants with allergens listed on their menus before you leave if at all possible. I got really tired of paying for (and eating) a grilled meat and vegetables, so on many evenings we just went to the grocery store and picked up some prosciutto and melon and had a small picnic.

The knowledge level of the wait staff also left a lot to be desired. In our 2 1/2 weeks, I can say that I had 2 meals where I felt like the waiter actually understood my needs. When I described my allergies to the waiter at one restaurant, she flat out said to me, "We have nothing for you here." At another restaurant, when I asked if a dish was gluten and grain free, she said, "Oh yes, it's organic." Um, BIG difference! Do not count on the wait staff understanding, being friendly about your allergies, or being knowledgable about the dishes they serve.

I don't mean to sound negative about eating in Italy with food allergies, but I just want you to be forewarned that it may not be as easy as others say it will. Before our trip I read on this forum about people with allergies eating in Italy and how easy they said it was. I thought it would be easy for me too. It wasn't. I lost 10 pounds the first week we were there. (It was 95-100 degrees every day, we did a lot of walking, and I had trouble finding restaurants in Naples with allergens listed, so I ate very little.) I think some other people who post that it will be easy and that everything will be fine don't actually have food allergies, and so they don't really understand how difficult it can be. For our next trip overseas, I will do a lot more research ahead of time finding potential restaurants, and I will bring more food snacks that I know I can eat. Good luck!

My husband is allergic to gluten (celiac) and eggs, so we travel with translated cards for various languages that we can show to the servers, chefs, and the breakfast staff in hotels. We also advised the hotels in advance of his requirements for breakfasts included with our bookings. He did not experience any problems or cross-contamination when we traveled in Italy.

I also researched restaurants in the main destinations prior to our trip that were recommended as gluten-free, so that we had an idea of where to go.

Here's an example of where you could purchase such cards:

https://allergytranslation.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI38r6tc-m4wIVEf5kCh0vXAq0EAAYASAAEgLFM_D_BwE

I would suggest perhaps only traveling to three locations and getting apartments. That way, you could prepare your son's meals as required.

We traveled with a friend who had allergies to soy and gluten. Every single restaurant we patronized was understanding and accommodating. I don't think you need to find special restaurants, just have that card with an explanation ready to show the waiter.

Food allergies are not restricted to American tourists. They have food allergies in Italy. The key is to have a card in Italian explaining the problem. And you handle exactly the same way that you would if traveling in the US. But -- if the restaurant says they cannot help you, then you just move on. The one issue, I think, is that Americans expect a high deference to customer service and accommodations that is not always present in Europe. That is just the way it is.

There are standard 'allergies' that are covered in restaurants. I think the challenge is if you have multiples and some extras not often covered. Thats were things get messy.

Check happycow dot net website for restaurants, shops that may be able to help you out.

I so get the problem. One 13 year birthday it was candles on the nachos as not cake or dessert was going to manage the need......

Thank you All for your responses. Getting a card explaining the allergy in Italian seems to be the most common advice. Thank you

Some years ago I took a RS tour through Europe with a lady and her child ( 11 yr old ) who had severe ( life threatening) allergies to peanuts and all tree nuts . She brought those translated cards ( in several languages as our tour went through several countries as well as Italy ) , 4 epi pens ( she carried two and her daughter carried two in a waist pack ) and yes a bag of nut safe treats .
She had no problem in Italy , but one thing that was difficult was denying her daughter gelato as she was concerned about cross contamination ( they often had scoopers in containers of water where gelato containing nuts scoops were put also ) . She was however able to offer her child a but safe treat she had brought from him instead .

On the tour there was a lady with celiac and in most places this was no problem ( in Italy many places offered her gluten free pasta even ) however in one place she was brought soup that had a few croutons thrown on top , when she said she couldn’t have the soup because she could eat the croutons the server actually scooped out the croutons for her - and didn’t seem happy when she told them she still
Couldn’t eat it as it was now contaminated .

I won’t repeat the good advice you’ve received here but I want to add the Benadryl is not for sale in Italy. I use Zyrtec and Benadryl for a little added protection when I travel and if you do the same, bring plenty of Benadryl with you.

Besides the written card for reservations, I would suggest having a big breakfast at the hotel where it will be easier to find options for your son. We often stop into grocery stores for items to create a lunch. Then you’re only dealing with dinner time.

The card is a definite good idea. Walk with more than one of course in case you misplace any.