Gluten-Free Eurotrip
When traveling internationally this summer, you may want to pick your destination based on how gluten-free friendly the country you’re planning to visit is. Many countries are getting better at meeting the demand for dietary restrictions including the gluten-free diet.
However, some are still struggling to understand their customers’ special dietary needs. Especially, some European countries are still slow to jump on the gluten-free wagon. This is due to much lower prevalence of other than gluten-related dietary restrictions in many European countries.
Although the prevalence of celiac disease is the same across the board (about 1% of the general population), many countries are still lagging behind. In France, for example, your gluten-free clients may have a hard time finding gluten-free menu options. If they identify themselves as gluten-free when eating out in France, they will often end up being served boiled chicken and vegetables (pretty much hospital food).
Part of the travel experience is after all trying and enjoying local foods. Italy by far is the most gluten-free friendly country in Europe. The studies related to celiac disease and first gluten-free products initiated in Italy. All Italian food service employees are well educated about celiac disease, gluten, and cross-contamination precautions. Many restaurants and hotels will serve not only naturally gluten-free protein, vegetables, and starches, but they’ll also offer a wide range of gluten-free certified starches such as pizza, pasta, bread, and even breakfast pastry.
Should your clients have difficulty finding gluten-free menu options, there is always the gold standard to fall back on, ordering naturally gluten-free protein, vegetables/fruit, and starches such as potatoes, rice etc. Advise your clients to always ensure cross-contamination precautions are followed. And warn them ahead of time that many European countries will tell their gluten-free patrons they can’t guarantee their facility/kitchen is entirely free of gluten and even advise against eating there.
In the worst case scenario, fresh organic produce, meats, and other naturally gluten-free as well as certified gluten-free products such as Schär brand will be available in all major retail stores in most European countries. In many countries, but mostly in bigger cities, they’ll also find dedicated gluten-free restaurants and bakeries that can be easily googled up ahead of the time or looked up last minute when on the road if a cellular/Wi-Fi service is available.
To search for gluten-free restaurants and hotels in Europe, please visit Schaer.com.
Although the prevalence of celiac disease is the same across the board (about 1% of the general population), many countries are still lagging behind. In France, for example, your gluten-free clients may have a hard time finding gluten-free menu options. If they identify themselves as gluten-free when eating out in France, they will often end up being served boiled chicken and vegetables (pretty much hospital food).
Part of the travel experience is after all trying and enjoying local foods. Italy by far is the most gluten-free friendly country in Europe. The studies related to celiac disease and first gluten-free products initiated in Italy. All Italian food service employees are well educated about celiac disease, gluten, and cross-contamination precautions. Many restaurants and hotels will serve not only naturally gluten-free protein, vegetables, and starches, but they’ll also offer a wide range of gluten-free certified starches such as pizza, pasta, bread, and even breakfast pastry.
Should your clients have difficulty finding gluten-free menu options, there is always the gold standard to fall back on, ordering naturally gluten-free protein, vegetables/fruit, and starches such as potatoes, rice etc. Advise your clients to always ensure cross-contamination precautions are followed. And warn them ahead of time that many European countries will tell their gluten-free patrons they can’t guarantee their facility/kitchen is entirely free of gluten and even advise against eating there.
In the worst case scenario, fresh organic produce, meats, and other naturally gluten-free as well as certified gluten-free products such as Schär brand will be available in all major retail stores in most European countries. In many countries, but mostly in bigger cities, they’ll also find dedicated gluten-free restaurants and bakeries that can be easily googled up ahead of the time or looked up last minute when on the road if a cellular/Wi-Fi service is available.
To search for gluten-free restaurants and hotels in Europe, please visit Schaer.com.
www.drschaer-institute.com