Gluten-Free in Italy: The 5 Essential Tips
For most people, Italy is the definition of foodie heaven. But how about those people with gluten intolerance? Can celiacs survive with the bombardment of pizza, pasta and bread everywhere they go? This can be a major concern for those travelling to the pasta capital of the world. But no fear, Italy is actually a celiac friendly country that offers many choices and alternatives. For instance, our Award-Winning Hotel, as well as many venues in the Northern Italian region, can easily cater to those with intolerance! For more tips, read the article below:
LEARN SOME GLUTEN-FREE PHRASES AND WORDS
In major cities such as Milan, Florence or Rome, it’s easy to find a waiter who speaks English - but just in case, it’s always worth keeping a few Italian phrases underneath your sleeve! Perhaps the most important phrase to remember is ‘senza glutine’ (‘gluten-free’), alternatively, you could also say ‘io sono celiac’ which means I am a celiac.
DOWNLOAD THE
AIC APP
The Italian Celiac Association (AIC) has made it a whole lot easier for both travellers and locals to find gluten-free products and venues - by creating an app! The app is called ‘AIC Mobile’, and for only €2.69, you can easily find gluten-free foods with just a few taps on your mobile screen. On the app, you can find all Types of Italian Restaurants that cater to your needs.
LEARN HOW TO SPOT GLUTEN-FREE FOOD
What’s more fun than exploring and discovering restaurants? For celiacs, it can often be difficult to find venues that matches your criteria. However, there is a way to do this. The best way is to search for the AIC accreditation displayed at the restaurant; it is simply a clear indication that the venue has got gluten-free options! Another way to spot gluten-free food in restaurants is through the plates they serve on. Sometimes, restaurants specifically indicate the food that is gluten-free by serving the food on a different coloured plate.
WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK THE RESTAURANT FOR OPTIONS
Another way you can get your dietary requirements sorted is by going to a regular Italian restaurant and request for gluten-free options. With most venues, they are more than happy to substitute or change the dish to fit your needs. As we mentioned, Italy is very gluten-free friendly, and with many restaurants, they even keep stock of gluten-free pasta. So, don’t be afraid to ask! By doing this, you can increase your chances in being able to eat what you want - whether it’s a plateful Porcini Tagliatelle or Pizzoccheri.
CHECK OUT THE SUPERMARKET
If finding restaurants is too tricky for you, then there is always the option of choosing the supermarket. Whether you decide to cook a dish at your kitchen-supplied accommodation, or just buy a gluten-free snack on the way - you can’t go wrong with going to the supermarket! There is a wide choice for you to choose from, and it’s as easy as walking to the gluten-free section.
We hope this brief guide has help those with a gluten intolerance! Travelling to Northern Italy? Why not stay at our Albergo Miramonti? We are located within the Italian Alps, with a Hotel Spa, relaxing Cigar Lounge and an Italian Restaurant.
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