Dining Gluten-Free in Italy

This is a great report from my colleague, Marianne Romano MPA, RD, CDN, nutrition consultant and health coach, for people traveling to Italy with celiac disease - nothing like hands-on experiences from a dietitian.

“Recently I returned from a 15-day trip to Italy with my family. I followed the Gluten-Free (GF) diet.

Italy was VERY accommodating but here are a few tips:
I packed some crackers, cereal (one box), nuts and Lara bars. The bars helped during the day with walking and touring. My sons and husband could munch on pastries, pizza and calzones (shops everywhere) and if I could not find something (maybe fruit or cheese) I always had a Lara bar or nuts that could hold me over. I am the only one in my family that did not gain weight on the trip.

The crackers came in handy in the evening when they served bread and dips in the restaurants. Often times the dips were GF but I had nothing to scoop it with. I brought my crackers after the first evening out - so I could enjoy the dips and oils.

We used a hotel for 4 days in Rome, then one week in Tuscany (at a villa with a kitchen) and then four nights in a hotel in Sorrento (south near Capri ). The cereal helped in both Rome and at the villa. I had eggs, yogurt or cheese in the morning in Rome (for protein) but used my cereal for a starch a few times. At the villa we made breakfast and the supermarket had a variety of choices. We were in a tiny remote mountain town in Tuscany. Sorrento's hotel had a full breakfast with many choices. It helps if you eat cheese. Milk is pasteurized. Pork is plentiful and served at breakfast in both the north and south. Risotto is widespread and the pork and meats are naturally cured. Fruit stands are widespread in the larger cities - Rome and Florence . Lemons & oranges and lemonade/orange stands in the south. Fish and seafood are also plentiful and delicious and can be served GF!

Pharmacies (Farmacias) are widespread in Italy and they have GF foods (not the supermarket). I purchased cookies and crackers during the trip. All of the pharmacists spoke English as well as Italian.
My parents are bilingual and I grew up with the language but am rusty.
Here are some sentences I developed (with my father's help):

Non posso mangiare il glutine. (I can't eat gluten)

Non posso mangiare il grano. (I can't eat grain)

Avete pasta senza glutine? (Do you have gluten free pasta?)

Some people speak English and some do not. If a server or waiter could not understand me (it happened twice) I was able to find the restaurant owner or someone in the restaurant to help. Everyone was very friendly and I felt very safe - even with the large tourist crowds in Florence and Sorrento.

Lastly, consider purchasing an easy Italian phrase book - I found the Berlitz Italian phrase book suitable - $8.95 at Borders.

Ciao,

Marianne Romano MPA, RD, CDN
Romanonutrition.com”

More GF experts:

Shelley Case, BS, RD
Case Nutrition Consulting, www.glutenfreediet.ca
Author: Gluten Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide

Marlisa Brown RD
GF dining out sheets in 14 languages on website www.glutenfreeeasy.com
Author: "Gluten-Free, Hassle Free" and "Easy,Gluten-Free"