StCirq

I think you need to find an alternative solution. I just can't see this working.

frencharmoire

Save your tears, marvelousmouse. Romans rarely eat fresh pasta, and it is not hard to find restaurants that will make pasta without eggs, or cook egg-free pasta that you bring to them. Italinas, generally speaking, are very kind to people with food intolerances and take them quite seriously. They want to be helpful, maybe especially to a young student traveling in their country, but just in general.

Peter_S_Aus

At the deli section of every supermarket, there is always a book that lists ingredients of food that are not otherwise labelled.

e.g. Bread has x, y & z.

Might be helpful.

marvelousmouse

Well, it's good to hear that they take them seriously, frencharmoire There are several food blogs that warn otherwise, but of course they may be repeating rumors.

There's also a lot of stuff out there about writing out an explanation of what she cannot have and why in Italian. I think that would be an excellent idea- it's the sort of thing she'll have to carry as an adult regardless. And another explanation of allergic reaction in case of emergency, but as she won't be travelling solo, that's probably not necessary.

The room card/light slot- actually found out from the front desk in Venice they can override that while you're out so you can charge electronic devices. So that is not a problem if the front desk approves.

crosscheck

Here' s a food delivery service in Rome (similar to seamless or grubhub here). They work with hundreds of restaurants, including dozens of 'healthy' ones, where you can customize menus.

https://deliveroo.it/en/

Jean

I agree with sparkchaser.

Is she able to eat at restaurants at home? If so, she'll be OK in Rome. She should do some research and/or make inquiries before she goes. There are takeaway delis that sell prepared foods, fresh markets, etc.

If she can't eat at restaurants, look into freeze-dried foods that only require hot/boiling water. Buy a small electric water kettle.

https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-GK360...c+water+kettle

Gretchen

How old is this child? Old enough to go on a European trip--old enough to figure out what she can and can't eat by buying it herself at the supermarket or explaining to a server what she can have

Jean

I think I'm struck by the imagine of one kid eating alone in her room.

massimop

If people have never dealt with someone in the family with significant differences, maybe they should just refrain from their free-wheeling comments, which they may not realize are entirely insensitive and boorish. Supporting the full-life ambitions of people you love who have unique needs is something those who love them willing take on, and it sadly turns out one of the biggest, most tiring obstacles can be constantly needing to deal with the cluelessness of other people who have nothing better to do than keep repeating "I just don't get this! I can't imagine it! What's going on here? Why can't you do this like normally I would? I'd hate being like that!"

Original poster probably needs on the ground help in Rome to locate and provide the support her daughter needs to participate in an exciting program with her peers. If you haven't got something useful to say, go away.

Suggestion from to melaly is to go to Chowhound and brainstorm this. Possibly people might have suggestions for hiring a English-speaking Roman cook with a commitment to making this work -- payment for which would be cheaper than renting an apartment, buying appliances, etc.

janisj

>>If people have never dealt with someone in the family with significant differences, maybe they should just refrain from their free-wheeling comments, which they may not realize are entirely insensitive and boorish<<

I'm sorry - but that is totally ridiculous. What is "boorish" about discussing the roadblocks and problems involved with the OP's plan?

vinoroma

I live with a deadly food allergy and in rome. I think everyone is here trying to help and listing the possible obstacles - the freezer running in a hotel room and its limited capacity to hold meals are real problems. Sometimes when we are thinking a problem thru, we start asking for help at a certain point but maybe what took you there is wrong, you don't have to be at that point. If op tells us the allergy, we might be able to tell her that it will be possible to deal with it at normal restaurants, saving enormous cost and unpleasurable eating alone in the room episodes.
The op has a history of never returning to her own threads, but from what she wrote last year, the daughter must now be 17. There has been no mention of an allergy last year when the family came to rome....

vinoroma

Just realized op wrote she hasn't been to rome in 20 years - but last year she wrote this will be her first time to italy....

melaly

We actually didn't make it to Rome last year because of this illness. We had everything booked but had to cancel. Thank you for your suggestions.

janisj

melaly: WHAT are the allergies? And WHERE is she staying? Then maybe people can give you useful suggestions/alternatives and not just the roadblocks . . .

Jean

My father lived with very serious food allergies for decades, even had to have surgery, but traveled extensively into his 80s. I've seen first-hand how food allergies can affect one's daily life. I don't see the comments on this thread as insensitive and boorish, but our help might be more on point if further information was provided. We don't know how old the daughter is or what allergies she has, whether she's traveled, can generally eat in restaurants, whether the trip organizers are aware of her food restrictions and can assist her, etc.

Sassafrass

Janis is right. The more information people have, the more helpful and specific their advice can be. Will your daughter be staying in Rome or moving from place to place? Is the school aware of her needs? Were you going to stay the whole month?

I did look up living with food allergies in Rome, private chefs and cooks in Rome and dealing with severe food allergies while traveling in Italy. There seems to be a lot of help and advice about this and much awareness of food allergies in Italy, especially in Rome. There are also food services that can make and deliver meals and many restaurants that accommodate needs of people with allergies.

Try googling those things and maybe you can find local help. That seems a better option than trying to buy a freezer and make enough food for a month. You can see from previous posts what difficulties you face trying to do it alone. While some places have mini-fridges, a freezer big enough for a month's supply of frozen food is totally impractical in a typical hotel or dorm style room. However, you could contact the hotel where she will be staying (if she is not moving around) and ask about the possibility.

Good luck

melaly

She will be at one hotel in Rome for the month studying. She is not moving around. She has celiac but unfortunately just eating a gluten free diet is not enough for her. She cannot eat at restaurants. She cannot eat any form of startch, sugar and only specific cooked fruits and vegetables and most proteins simply cooked. She can eat some homemade baked goods made with almond or coconut flour. And yes she is old enough to fend for herself but incredibly difficult without a kitchen. And an incredibly difficult situation period. This has changed her whole life. And not going is not an option as she has wanted to do this trip since arriving at the school 5 years ago. I appreciate all the input. I was hoping to get some advice on where to purchase a freeer. The school is aware of her situation. I will google some of the suggestions mentioned. Thanks

vinoroma

I think eating at a restaurant will be possible, esp if you find (or let us suggest you) one or two restaurants close to the hotel and the school (or whereever will be a fix point of her days). The situation can be explained to them, a list of fruits, vegetables and proteins she can eat, and a special arrangement made with these one or two restaurants.

Jean

My father also had severe celiac disease as well as allergies to other foods and most additives.

I agree with vinoroma.

newtome

I have a friend much the same situation and I can tell you it's very frustrating. There's opportunity she's missed out on based on the situation you described with your daughter. But I think what people are trying to say and some of it if so it more pleasantly than others is that buying even a small freezer may be a problem for the hotel. Not all hotels in Europe in fact many all the hotels we've experienced in Europe Would not have the capacity for even a coffee maker much less a freezer. And any freezer large enough to freeze a months worth of meals would need capacity that the hotels may not have.

So well from your perspective the only way this could absolutely work is for your daughter to have frozen meals that you cook yourself on special pots and pans, I don't know that in this situation it will be feasible. But my friend has done is to buy a set of pans that she brings to the Then she wants to attend and work it out with the restaurant or the kitchen to use only those pots and pans for her food.

The other alternative is possibly eating foods that can be kept in the small fridge not the freezer. I think finding a dorm size refrigerator might be an easier option.