OK I am doing okay. Finding recipes I like, buying the high priced gluten free stuff, and strictly following gluten free diet. My problem? D is returning. Tex suggested I may need to avoid dairy for a while. Looks like he is right. Damn I'm going to miss my nightly ice cream!
And in June I'm taking a road trip vacation from Texas to the east coast for a family reunion. How do I eat on this trip? I know some restaurants do have gluten free menu's, but what if there are none around? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
there are foods that you will miss, for me when i think that i feel like eating something that is on my banned list within 10 - 15 seconds the memory of chronic D for days comes back to me and i no longer want that food!!!!
on previous threads we have talked about the switch... the point where you no longer think about those food items.
Aside from having a good supply of your own staples (those expensive prepared G/F type things) the only other suggestion is doing a bit of a trip plan and investigate some of the locations you might stop and contact them to see if they could handle doing a special meal for you
I know for me when the D was bad, and i had to do a 3 hour drive, i got on the net and figured out where all the toilet stops were so that I knew exactly the distance/timing between places so that i could make sure there were no accidents.
Prior to my MC diagnosis, when i just avoided Gluten and lactose as much as possible, i used to work offshore on an operational vessel that had phillipino crew. I would contact the ships operations prior to me arrving and asked if every meal there could be a gluten free diary free meal option (the cook used to make me a plate of salad and a bowl of fruit salad and hide it from everyone so that i always had soemthing to eat). I also took my own Lactose free milk, rice cakes and other staples etc so that i always had snacks and a back up for the times that the mess did not have suitable food.
i have always found with a pre communication it works. if the person shows a hint of hesitance or aggrevation to the situation, then they are not going to embrace your request so then i would try someone else.
Good luck and enjoy the trip!
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Last summer I took a six day vacation and posted my preparation and experiences while on it. You might find something in the thread that will help you:
For while you are driving - pack food with an icepack, and plenty of snacks.
For lunch when away - I go to the supermarket and get corn or rice crackers, GF ham, GFDF dips (like hummus, or pumpkin dip etc) maybe those packs of salad greens, and supermarkets here usually have some GF nut bars, biscuits or other sweet treats for dessert. If you are travelling each day you can go to the shops of an evening ready for the next day.
For evening meal - if I happen to luck it on somewhere that does GF, fine. Otherwise I ask for something really simple like plain grilled (broiled) meat (or chook) and undressed salad or plain vegies without butter etc. Salad is safer than veg. I also often eat Thai food - traditional Thai red or green curries don't use soy sauce and are pretty low risk.
