Gluten Free in Italy
May 27th, 2016, 10:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My granddaughter used to be allergic to wheat (she's outgrown it now). When eating out, we just said she had celiac condition, as it was easier to explain. Italy has a high percentage of people with this condition with respect to other countries, plus, as elsewhere, a lot of people are now eating gluten-free as a matter of choice. So we never really had any trouble.
May 27th, 2016, 10:41 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not celiac but it was my impression last trip (March) that you won't have too much trouble doing gluten free if you do some research first.
You can let each hotel know ahead of time that you need gluten free breakfast items. (my hotels all had these options)
Then you could google restaurants in each city you will be in using "senza gluten" (without gluten)
I think if you use the search option at the top right of the page you will find some threads on gluten free in Italy.
Good luck.
You can let each hotel know ahead of time that you need gluten free breakfast items. (my hotels all had these options)
Then you could google restaurants in each city you will be in using "senza gluten" (without gluten)
I think if you use the search option at the top right of the page you will find some threads on gluten free in Italy.
Good luck.
May 27th, 2016, 10:45 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pooky, I just did a quick search and on this site: www.eatingitalyfoodtours.com they have a card in Italian you could print out and take with you.
May 27th, 2016, 11:24 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just got back from Rome and had no problems with a gluten free diet.
Every mini super market we went in had a large display of gluten free pruducts from Schar or other brands. Nearly every restaurant offers gluten free pasta options. And there is a restaurant right near campo di Fiori that has an entire gluten free menu - pizza, pasta etc. it's on via Giubbonari - I'll look up the name for you.
Every mini super market we went in had a large display of gluten free pruducts from Schar or other brands. Nearly every restaurant offers gluten free pasta options. And there is a restaurant right near campo di Fiori that has an entire gluten free menu - pizza, pasta etc. it's on via Giubbonari - I'll look up the name for you.
May 27th, 2016, 11:24 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Supermarkets in Italy can often give the impression the entire country has coeliac disease, with about a third of the pasta shelves given over to "senza glutine" varieties.
We now routinely stuff our car - or even our suitcases if flying - with as much as we can find space for, since the range is so impressive and recipients back home are extraordinarily grateful.
Certainly worth taking home with you.
We now routinely stuff our car - or even our suitcases if flying - with as much as we can find space for, since the range is so impressive and recipients back home are extraordinarily grateful.
Certainly worth taking home with you.
May 27th, 2016, 11:33 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ha I just printed that card, thanks. First Italian phrase I looked up was senza glutine I have booked apartments with kitchens everywhere, just incase. Even in Vancouver, we come across far too much cross-contamination in restaurants, which is still an issue. Worse case is everyone eats gelato ;-)
I have read that Italy is very aware, but haven't heard any first hand experiences on the matter.
This whole trip is not like the trips I did 25 years ago, without kids, where you just hop and a plane with a backpack and figure it all out when you get there.
I have read that Italy is very aware, but haven't heard any first hand experiences on the matter.
This whole trip is not like the trips I did 25 years ago, without kids, where you just hop and a plane with a backpack and figure it all out when you get there.
May 27th, 2016, 02:24 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few years ago, we traveled with a celiacs couple in Italy. Yes, they were both celiacs. Every restaurant we went, they got gluten free meals. Sometimes it was something completely not on menu. Sometimes they had gluten free pastas. They gave me a taste of it, and it tasted amazingly good for what it was.
May 27th, 2016, 05:28 PM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have celiacs in our family and I noticed quite a few "senza glutine" options in Italy 2 years ago. Fatamorgana Gelato has gluten free options including cones and it is so good.
http://www.gelateriafatamorgana.com/web/gelato.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fatamorgana-roma-3
http://www.gelateriafatamorgana.com/web/gelato.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fatamorgana-roma-3
May 27th, 2016, 07:28 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PalenQ - good one.
So far we have never had a problem at home with gelato, it cud be the flavours my kids prefer are naturally gf, so I was hoping it was the same in Italy. Thank you Scootoir for the link to gf gelato.
So far we have never had a problem at home with gelato, it cud be the flavours my kids prefer are naturally gf, so I was hoping it was the same in Italy. Thank you Scootoir for the link to gf gelato.
May 28th, 2016, 10:43 PM
#16
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just be very mindful of the difference between "gluten free" and having celiac disease. Even if a food product is "gluten free" that does not mean that it was processed in a manner that kept is separate from gluten containing products which are very harmful to celiacs. Going gluten free is a positive life style choice. Having celiac disease means that you don't have a dietary choice - you MUST avoid gluten.
May 30th, 2016, 07:18 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissusH - I totally agree. I never would have believed it but have see the reaction my kids have from cross contamination. We try to just stick to non processed foods and not gf replacement products.
