Flagstaff Celiac Support Group
Meeting Recap Archive
September 2010
At the September meeting there was a good discussion about what steps to take to eat safely while traveling. When taking a road trip, one member takes along a toaster and her bread for breakfast meals. Several members take along a cooler on road trip for fruit and vegetables. Another member plans out the route and targets cities to stop for meals; researches the cities to find likely restaurants, and then contacts the restaurants in advance to see if they can accommodate a gluten-free diet. You can also ask the server or the manager for help in identifying items that you can eat on the menu. Sometimes the chef will prepare something special for you that meets your dietary needs.
Jeanette told about her recent successful trip to Portland, Oregon. For the first part of her trip she took several frozen breakfast buns which she had purchased at New Frontiers. Heated in a microwave for a few seconds, they were ready to eat with her Rice Chex. The buns also were suitable for a sandwich when friends wanted to go on a picnic. When she got to Portland, she went directly to the gluten-free bakery and was able to buy several pastries to go with her cereal for the rest of her stay.
Tom and Barb rented a condo in Hawaii that was located within walking distance of a gluten-free bakery. They were able to prepare at least two meals on their own and were successful in working with restaurants for other meals. The only problem that arose was when their flight home was delayed and they had to stay an extra day in LA where, without transportation, they were uncertain about eating options.
Andi said she made a card about celiac disease and what she can and can't eat that she carries with her to share with restaurant staff. But she had questions about traveling out of the country. Jeanette passed around the Triumph Dining cards that come in several different languages and suggested those might be helpful. Others commented that knowledge about celiac disease is more common in places such as Europe.
A suggestion for snack food, for those who eat meat, is to make your own beef jerky. It's easy to make and doesn't require refrigeration.
Andi mentioned that the Gluten Free Fair at Mount Hope Natural Foods in Cottonwood is scheduled for October 2.