Food choices when traveling

How do I get over feeling sad about giving up the foods I love? Don’t celiac patients look a certain way? Can I eat wheat when I travel to Europe?

Today the Gluten Free RN is answering your frequently asked questions about celiac disease, clearing up misconceptions around the safety of wheat in Europe, the appearance of a celiac patient, and the percentage of the population that suffers from gluten sensitivity. She speaks to the challenges of getting your healthcare provider to do appropriate testing for celiac disease and the learning curve associated with changing your diet.

Nadine also explains the risks of embarking on a gluten challenge and the benefits of a super-good high fat diet. She discusses why a single breadcrumb can trigger an autoimmune response and how she uses tools like a Nima Sensor when she eats out. Listen in and learn why one negative test doesn’t rule you out for celiac disease, especially if you suffer from type 1 diabetes.

Having celiac disease doesn’t mean you have to live in a bubble. The Gluten Free RN wants to give you the answers you need to navigate the world—happy, healthy and gluten-free!

What’s Discussed:

‘My sister has celiac disease, but I tested negative. I do have type 1 diabetes… What should I do?’

Get genetic test for HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8
Virtually every type 1 diabetic is gene carrier
One test doesn’t rule you out

‘Why do you use a Nima Sensor or EZ Gluten test strips? Doesn’t it give you a false sense of security?’

Have to trust others to prepare food when out
Not foolproof, but does give decent idea

‘A single breadcrumb or dusting of flour can trigger an autoimmune response? Really?’

‘I am overweight, I have dark hair, and I’m not of European descent. Don’t celiac patients look a certain way?’

Can’t see genes, celiac disease can affect any population worldwide
Overweight patients tend to be malnourished (unable to absorb nutrients)
Never rule out based on appearance, may not show physical symptoms

‘Why do you recommend a super-good high-fat diet?’

‘I’m already on a gluten-free diet. Do I need to go back to gluten to prove I have celiac disease?’

‘My cousin was just diagnosed with celiac disease, and she is very sad about giving up the food she grew up with. How can she get started on a gluten-free diet?’

Steep learning curve goes with process
Okay to feel sad, angry
Remember you will get better without surgery, medication
Try to see as an adventure

‘Why won’t my doctor order tests for celiac disease?’

Countries with for-profit healthcare tend to do poor job of testing, follow-up care
Fragmented, inaccurate education around celiac disease
Be own best advocate

‘Can I eat wheat in Europe?’

‘Is it true that celiac disease affects 1% of the population?’

1% translates to 3M people
3% is more accurate statistic
Won’t know for sure until conduct mass screening

Wanderlust.

It is human nature to want to explore, to experience a geography and culture different from our own. Travel can truly enrich our lives. Yet if you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the prospect of being away from the familiar for an extended period can be intimidating. Will I be able to find a grocery store? How do I locate a gluten-free restaurant that I can trust? What do I need to bring with me to ensure that I am avoiding gluten? And what if, despite my best efforts, I am accidentally exposed to the gluten protein?

No one wants their trip ruined by an unexpected illness, but you shouldn’t let the fear of gluten exposure keep you from going on an important business trip or taking that vacation you’ve always dreamed of. The Gluten Free RN has ten years of experience helping people discover that they can travel safely on a gluten-free or Paleo diet, and today she shares her recent travel experiences with you. Road trip with Nadine and learn how she locates safe restaurants, what she takes along to avoid inadvertent gluten exposure, and which apps and online resources offer the best advice for gluten-free travel!

What’s Discussed:

The danger of living in a bubble

Leads to isolation
No way to live

Nadine’s mission to teach people how to travel safely on gluten-free/Paleo diet

Follow her travels on social
Posts include pics of locations, food
Various travel tips

How Nadine packed her cooler for a summer road trip to Boston

Applegate deli meat
Kite Hill cheese
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Mary’s crackers
Jilz Crackerz
EPIC bars

The challenge of eating out on the road

Lucky to live in Pacific Northwest
37 100% gluten-free restaurants in Portland
Accommodating to food intolerance
More difficult other places
Stressful when unfamiliar with establishment

The fundamentals of a food desert

Little/no access to fresh fruits, vegetables
Most available food is highly processed

Nadine’s advice around locating grocery stores, fresh foods when traveling

Research local Whole Foods, Natural Grocers locations
Look up local Farmer’s Markets and Co-ops

Nadine’s tips for locating safe restaurants

Employ the Find Me Gluten Free app
Read Yelp reviews, though can be deceptive
Avoid restaurants that make pizza
Flour stays in air for up to 72 hours
Enormous risk of cross-contamination

The myth that heat breaks down the gluten protein

Gluten protein is heat stable
Very difficult to denature (even at temperatures of 1200°)
Applies to woks, fryers and grills

How Nadine is able to go without a meal when necessary

Nutrient ‘gas tank’ is full
High levels of vitamin D, B6, B12 and magnesium
Better to skip than be sick for days, weeks or months

Who to talk to when you are eating out

Start with wait staff, chef
Speak with manager, if necessary

Nadine’s experience at a highly-rated restaurant in Boston

Selected for positive Yelp reviews
Friend used Nima sensor, daughter’s meal contained gluten
Notified wait staff, spoke to chef and manager
Though establishment caters to gluten-free community, next four meals also tested positive for gluten
Learned that pizza was also made in kitchen
Stopped by grocery store on way back to hotel
Made great, quick and easy dinner in room

Nadine’s gluten-free travel supply packing list