Safely Traveling on a Gluten-Free or Paleo Diet EP036

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 Bamboo utensils Pans Nima sensor or EZ Gluten strips Gluten Free Passport allergy cards Activated charcoal (to take with water after accidental exposure) Sense of humor  The best gluten-free online travel resources Gluten-Free Globetrotter Gluten Free Passport  Why you should avoid fast food/restaurant chains that claim to have gluten-free offerings Risk of cross-contamination too high May not truly understand what it means to be gluten-free Using gluten-free label as marketing tool  Nadine’s upcoming River Cruise on the Danube Opportunity for safe travel Responsible, attentive chefs Nadine on hand to confirm food is gluten-free, Paleo  The food options available to the gluten-free population Meat, fish and eggs Nuts and seeds Fruits and vegetables Resources: International Celiac Disease Symposium Applegate Kite Hill Mary’s Gone Crackers Jilz Crackerz EPIC bars Gluten Free Portland Restaurant List Amy Fothergill of the Warm Kitchen Ground Breaker Brewing Whole Foods Natural Grocers Find Me Gluten Free Nima Sensor EZ Gluten Test Strips Gluten-Free Globetrotter Gluten Free Passport Melodies of the Danube Brochure Connect with Nadine:  Instagram Facebook Contact via Email ‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine Books by Nadine: Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism