Eating Out Abroad

Gluten Free diets can be difficult to cater for, though you are more likely to come across problems in the UK than overseas. In the UK wheat gluten seems to be spread liberally over anything that it can stick to or be hidden in. For example UK sausages have quantities of rusk added, in France some butchers take offence if you even suggest there might be rusk in their [100% meat] sausages.

You need to prepare for a trip abroad by taking your own bread and pasta, translate and carry a written copy if you cant pronounce it, do try and make it clear you cant eat wheat products, most chefs will be pleased to help you and many speak good English. In Italy I once went on a ski trip and the hotelier made my pasta up in a separate pan so I could eat without problems. This big guy also toasted my bread in a pizza oven by hand each morning and greeted me with a smile each time he served it up.

In my experience French / Spanish/ Italian waiters are very professional and will help you without fuss.

Don’t worry too much about eating out in Europe so long as you bring your own bread and pasta.