It’s day 2 of being bed ridden.
Stomach problems, nausea, fatigue, mental fogginess…I’ve been glutened!
Avoiding gluten at home is difficult, and even more so when traveling. It’s easier being here with my parents. They are kind enough to cut bread on a separate board and avoid any kind of gluten in preparing meals we’ll share as a family.
Me as a young girl bringing out breakfast in France!
I still have to be careful. No jam, peanut butter, or cheese that’s been cut into with a bread knife. I have to pay careful attention to what I order off of a restaurant menu. I have to be careful to dissect of labels before eating anything from a package.
The other night we popped some bubbly when my parents returned from a jazz festival and I opened a bag of potato chips to tie us over while I made dinner. Potato chips are my weakness, especially when paired with a drink, so I happily dug in!
I didn’t look closely at the bag to see there was “traces de gluten” listed in the ingredients. The culprit!
Tomorrow I leave for Berlin and I want to be extra careful as I don’t want to waste a day in bed there. My game plan?
- Stick to safe dishes I know contain no gluten
- Ask and warn waiters about my allergy
- Eat like a purist – careful with any type of sauce or coating
- Find a local health food store to get gluten-free breakfast goods
- Read menus very carefully
- When in doubt…don’t eat it!
I always find this extremely challenging when traveling as I like to eat everything and hate putting up a fuss. I want to try all local delicacies and be adventurous with my food.
I was happy on my last trip to Berlin when I tried currywurst and had no negative reaction. While some sausage is made with gluten products, the one I tried obviously wasn’t and I got away safe.
I want to try so many more local dishes but have to watch myself.
Do you have any food allergies? What are your trips for traveling?
Read about my history with gluten here
And get a good laugh here
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I hate it too, being celiac is tough when i travel and no one understands. even a little slip in my food and I am out. it totally debilitates me.
Exactly! Being extra careful now!
Awww, girl, I’m sorry! Hope you feel better soon. While I don’t have celiac disease, I do have a sensitivity to gluten-rich foods like bread and pasta. I always feel so fatigued, irritable, and definitely have mental fogginess. After eating a whole grain baguette from Panera the other day, I asked my BF the same question two times in a row. Haha! I definitely enjoy it once in awhile but oyyyy it’s tough, I know. Sending you love and hugs!
Thanks Heather! Hahah I know the feeling – the mental fog is embarrassing sometimes! Love and hugs from Berlin!
Great tips! While I don’t have celiacs I do have a slight intolerance so can’t handle gluten in large amounts. I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Lisa!
Thanks M! So far people in Berlin have been super accommodating and I’ve been loving all of my food! We’re checking out a Paleo restaurant tonight
Hope you are feeling better already and I keep my fingers crossed that you have loads of health food stores in Berlin! Above all – enjoy and have fun!
Thanks Marie-Sophie, so far Berlin has been amazing for gluten-free food!
My boss has celiac and she as an iPhone app that gives an explanation of the disease in any language you want. She shows it to waiters/chefs who don’t have great English to be sure they understand what she is saying no matter where she goes. You should download it!
That’s a great idea! I’ll look for that, thanks Danielle!
thinking of you girl! dealing with stomach issues is no fun traveling!!! Most people are aware of allergies these days, just be forceful
haha