I have a dairy allergy (no milk, eggs, butter or cheese). I can have egg whites only. My husband & I want to plan a trip to Italy, specifically Siena and other cities & towns in the Tuscany region. I must eat foods high in calcium due to this allergy. I do take a calcium supplement, but that is not enough. I drink rice milk which is fortified w/calcium & vitamin D. Also the same w/orange juice and eat spinach, broccoli, kale & beans which also have a high calcium content. I am sure I can find these foods there however, what can I do as far as milk is concerned? I must have the milk every day to keep my calcium level up (I've had problems in the past where I had esophagus spasms - which led me to be hospitalized). If I can purchase the rice milk or possibly soy milk which is fortified, how can I transport it from place to place as it needs to be kept cold once opened. When I travel in the USA, I can purchase cold packs & an insulated carrying bag. I've heard that ice is practically non-existent in Europe and I wonder if they sell freezer packs and if there are freezers in hotels to refreeze them. Is any of this possible in Italy? Can anyone help me?
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
The water in Italy has an extremely high concentration of calcium, - drink the water! Since this is a medical condition you probably want to err on the side of caution. I've never seen a freezer in a hotel frig but contact your hotel in advance and ask if you could put a freeze pack in their freeze due to medical reasons. Pharmacies may sell cool pack for first aid purposes but it would for your needs as well. Check out this bottled water: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/doctor-recommended-sanfaustino-calcium-water-first-to-be-recognized-by-national-osteoporosis-foundation-55450042.html
Posted by
OP
Knoxville, TN, USA
2 posts
Samsn: Thanks for taking the time to reply. I checked out the site. Your reply helps me out big time. Again. Thanks.
Posted by
Watertown, CT
17 posts
Have you thought about staying at a bed and breakfast? Ours had a full kitchen at our disposal, which included use of a full size refrigerator/freezer combo. I am lactose intolerant and I have to tell you that it was very, very difficult to dodge dairy. It was in almost every meal. Luckily, I can take lactaid to better tolerate it, and sometimes it worked. Sometimes I was pretty sick, but that was my lack of will power at fault. I carried cards with me describing my intolerance, just in case I decided to walk the straight and narrow. I am thinking that your allergy to eggs prevents you from eating pasta too, right?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You may be able to find soy products or rice milk in stores (there are lots more vegetarians in Italy than you might think), if that helps. Not all pasta has egg in it, you should ask to be sure.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
You really need to talk to your physician on this. If you've been hospitalized because of this condition advice from this page is not enough. Your physician went to a decade's worth of instruction and if he/she can't directly help ask for a referral to a specialist. I'm sure your physician can advise you and/or prescribe timed calcium/D supplement.