On the Road with Celiac Disease

You don't have to give up traveling just because you have celiac disease. All it takes is a little planning.

Bridgton, ME (PRWEB) May 29, 2006 -- Burgers, tacos, fried chicken, pizza...these are the foods we love to eat, especially when we're on the road. They taste good, they're easy to find, and they don't cost a lot. But, if you have celiac disease, you can't go into McDonald's, Taco Bell's, or Domino's Pizza and order these items. That's because they contain gluten, a grain-based protein found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale and, possibly, oats. When celiacs eat gluten, the protein sets off an immune response that causes damage to the small intestine. Gluten free versions of these foods are available, but not easy to find when you're traveling. Even so, you don't have to give up traveling just because you have celiac disease. All it takes is a little planning.

Research your destination before you leave home. Start by locating the local celiac support groups in the area you plan to visit. The following celiac associations list local groups on their sites:

Celiac Sprue Association: http://www.csaceliacs.org/chapters.php
Celiac Disease Foundation: http://www.celiac.org/connections.php

Many local groups maintain their own web sites and provide links and information about local stores and restaurants that can accommodate celiacs.

If you're staying in a hotel, ask for a room with a small refrigerator. This usually costs extra, but you may save even more by buying food at the grocery store instead of eating all your meals out. Another option is to purchase a styrofoam cooler from a local grocery store when you arrive and keep it in your room. Ice is free at the hotel. Keep the ice in quart size zip-lock bags to keep other food in your cooler dry.

Finding a restaurant willing to accommodate you can be difficult. Clan Thompson's Celiac Food SmartList software includes gluten free restaurant menus for dozens of restaurant chains, along with information on the gluten status of thousands of regional and national items available at the supermarket. The palm hand-held version keeps all the information at your fingertips, no matter where you are.

It’s best to make advance reservations. Call the restaurant between 2-4 in the afternoon, when they're not busy. Ask to speak to the chef. Tell him you have celiac disease and ask if he can accommodate you. You should be able to tell, from this conversation, whether he's familiar with the gluten free diet. Don't be discouraged if he is not. You can still get a gluten free meal if he is willing to work with you. Keep your expectations simple and focus on the importance of avoiding cross contamination. Don't forget to ask the chef what time is the most convenient for your visit. If you don't go during rush hour, the chef and other wait staff will have more time to attend to your needs and there will be less chance of a mistake.

When you arrive at the restaurant, remind your waitperson that you have special dietary requirements and ask to speak to the chef.

It's wise to always keep a few snacks with you. LaraBars are great tasting snack bars that contain unsweetened fruits and nuts. They come in a variety of flavors, taste good, and they're healthy. You can find them in many health food stores or buy them online at http://www.larabar.com.

Other snack foods that travel well or are easy to find on the road include nuts and raisins, chocolate, cheese and gluten free crackers, trail mix, or gluten free beef sticks. You can also get a salad in many supermarket salad bars, buy a cup of yogurt from the dairy case, or get slices of deli cheese and deli meats which can be rolled up together and eaten as finger food.

Hot water and microwaves are often available in convenience stores, so anything that can be re-hydrated is something to consider when you're on the road. Many health food stores sell gluten free soups and instant meals that can be popped into a microwave with water.

Mix gluten free tuna from a pop-top can with individual packets of gluten free mayonnaise for a tuna salad...or you can spread peanut butter on a banana for a quick pick-me-up.

The glove compartment of your car is a handy place to store a few moist towelettes, and some plastic cutlery.

For more traveling tips, or to find links to celiac-friendly restaurants, hotels, and B&B's, visit http://www.clanthompson.com/life_travel.php3.

(Copyright 2006 by Clan Thompson)

About Clan Thompson: Clan Thompson publishes Celiac SmartLists - software programs that list gluten information on thousands of products available in the USA. Their palm handheld version is useful to have when you're on the road and contains gluten free menus for celiac-friendly restaurants. You can download a free demo when you visit their CeliacSite at www.clanthompson.com.

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