Going on holiday with IBS/Gluten intolerance.

Can you choose self-catering accommodation? I think I'd go that way. A friend with IBS always does this.

I am lactose intolerant these days so on my last break I took long life lactose free milk with me - enough for 2 weeks when kept in the fridge. I used that for my cups of tea in the morning. I can drink coffee without milk but don't really like tea without milk.
I don't eat desserts these days so didn't need to worry about them. I also can't have anything with alcohol in it as I'm a recovering alcoholic so checked everything with the waiters and nothing went wrong. For me, it's a case of checking everything.

NotSpaghetti

Can you choose self-catering accommodation? I think I'd go that way. A friend with IBS always does this.

Not much of a holiday!

I have multiple food intolerances and allergies - gluten, dairy, nuts, soya, seafood, citrus, coffee, alcohol and various fruits and vegetables. It's certainly a nightmare eating out and regarding holidays I have opted for self-catering.

But I have also found that pubs/restaurants will be very accommodating if you explain very carefully in advance. In the past, chefs have checked the fridge to see what veggies they have, and sometimes I have even pre-arranged to take in some safe veg of my own which they will heat up.

Since my intolerances and my reactions have worsened, I haven't risked going abroad, but previously I printed out a list of my food problems in different languages to hand to the waiter.

I always ask about chips as they are often coated.

Things seem to have got worse for gf provision recently with, it seems a return to the bad, old, early days of establishment catering for intolerance.

We went to a restaurant earlier in the week and there was nothing on the menu that was gf but they promised they could adapt most dishes. Adapting meant leaving things off or out, with no alternative. And no gf bread at all.

kittylester - I think you are wrong - self catering still liberates you from the mundane and day-to-day!

kittylester I know there's still the cooking with self catering, but for me it's so much less stressful.

It’s all down to staff training. I’m not afraid to ask more than once if something on the menu is definitely gluten free.

I visited an RHS partner garden a couple of months ago with a group of friends and ate in their cafe. I was assured the falafel sandwich I ordered was gf but I felt uneasy and would have changed my order had it not been so busy and I didn’t want to hold everyone else up.

The meal may well have been gf but it was given to the wrong person. I was nearly half way through my sandwich when the waiter realised and gave a half hearted apology.

When I asked to see the manager and tried to get across how ill it was going to make me she just said, ‘Well, couldn’t you tell it was the wrong bread as soon as you started eating it?’

🤔🤔

My DGD2 is gluten and lactose intolerant. When something has been contaminated she says she has been "glutened".
They went on holiday to Italy (Puglia) last year and she said the number of places catering for gluten free was brilliant and the food was fabulous. Spain is also pretty good I think.
Here in France the organic shops are good, but I think restaurants are more difficult.
I would have thought self-catering and eating out would be a good combination.

I’ve IBS and now what sets it off can vary from day to day. Yesterday it was an M&S boxed salad with Caesar dressing! Obviously I avoid eating what I’ve had problems with in the past and never, ever, go anywhere without a supply of Imodium.

I just wat to empathise as I am regularly caught out by chips who knew a potato could be so cruel

You people who go self catering must be much more irganised than I am.

I never have all the ingredients I need - Henderson's Relish, balsamic, mustards etc.

If I were in England I would just have an online shop delivered to the property. Here in France we take a box of stuff and check out the location of the nearest organic supermarket. 😊

I take Buscopan with me everywhere, if I take it at the first sign of trouble it usually works

My family always self cater. They stay in beautiful, well equipped houses. My daughter places a food order to be delivered early evening on the first day. Same in reverse for home. They eat out for most main meals.
Always a successful, happy holiday. In the past I have joined them for a couple of days. But in recent years I go to stay in their home and look after the two cats.

Strikes me as a lot of hard work for a holiday.

You will have absolutely no trouble if you travel to Europe. All food providers in the EU has to list ingredients and provide suitable menus for gluten intolerant etc.

That law stands here until the bill goes through getting rid of it all.

Oh I’ve just read mamies post. I was speaking from my holidays in Italy and Spain where I was looked after by restaurant staff wherever I went. Must be different in France, but haven’t holidayed in France for a few years now.

Whitewavemark2

Oh I’ve just read mamies post. I was speaking from my holidays in Italy and Spain where I was looked after by restaurant staff wherever I went. Must be different in France, but haven’t holidayed in France for a few years now.

I am sure there are plenty of restaurants in the big cities which would be fine; we did find a vegan one that did GF but the choice was very limited. I just don't find France very exciting or adventurous when it comes to food. The classic dishes are good and there are many excellent restaurants, but the attitude of it's French so it must be perfect annoys me.
I always say the two things I like least about living in France are the food and the fashion (not to the neighbours though).
😂😂😂😂

There's a very good Facebook page that lists Gluten free restaurants etc.

My son has Coeliac disease and has found it to be an excellent resource when having a break or travelling for work.

VS - I’ll get some Buscopan! 20 years ago (at least) I was told by a Pharmacy that it wasn’t to be taken by over 40’s. There was no explanation, so I’ve never considered it since. Having just Googled Buscopan there is no upper age limit, although caution over 65. I’m sure I didn’t make it up, as getting relief was so important. Can you remember if that was so?

Your posts are odd ‘kitty’. I hope they are meant to be lighthearted? Surely you don’t mean that anyone with an illness shouldn’t be going on holiday?
Sometimes, just being away from home is a holiday in itself for many, even if it is self-catering and sitting watching out of a different window.

Georgesgran

VS - I’ll get some Buscopan! 20 years ago (at least) I was told by a Pharmacy that it wasn’t to be taken by over 40’s. There was no explanation, so I’ve never considered it since. Having just Googled Buscopan there is no upper age limit, although caution over 65. I’m sure I didn’t make it up, as getting relief was so important. Can you remember if that was so?

No sorry I really haven't heard this before, I'm 48 now

It's a lifesaver for me as I absolutely cannot get IBS at work, as I work with children

Notspagetti We always go self catering. Have breakfast then either other meals out or a takeaway. Don’t want to spend the holiday cooking. Plus you can have meals when you want them.