Gluten free food

[hadrian]

Hi all, I know gluten free food has been mentioned before on previous threads, but may I ask your advice once more please?

My son has Coeliac Disease and every time we go on holiday my wife bakes fresh bread rolls to take out with us, and these usually last him the first 2-3 days of each holiday. We also take sealed rolls and bread which only need heating in a microwave to use after the fresh bread runs out. We always pack these in out suitcases.

Are we likely to have any problems at immigration or custums in America as we are bringing both fresh and packaged food into the country? So far in 13 years we have never had any problems, but this is our first trip to the USA.

TIA, Hadrian

[KevinT]

Hi Hadrian,
I'm not sure about the immigration/customs part of your question (I think it's mainly beef products and of course fruit & dairy products that are barred from entering US.
but I found a shop in the Vineland Mall (just off I - 4 or lower part of International Drive -
further down than SeaWorld) which is very like Holland & Barrett over here ie. specialise in a lot of healthy options like dairy free stuff and I would think they would do gluten free
foods. It might be worth a try! Can't remember the name of the shop but it's in the food court area.

Good luck and have a great time.

KevinT.

[blott]

There shouldn't be a problem at all with taking the rolls, etc with you but, just in case, get a letter from your doctor before you leave the UK to take with you about your son's dietary requirements saying that you need to import these foods for the first 24 hours.

If it's vital for your son to have these foods, I wouldn't pack it in your suitcase in case this gets lost - always pack important stuff like this in your hand luggage which you keep with you at all times.

I'm sure that big supermarkets like Publx will sell gluten free products but there's a brilliant health food store on John Young Parkway. Going towards St Cloud on the 192, turn right into John Young Parkway. After a few traffic lights and a railway bridge, you'll see the Bermuda Center on your right (it has a big sign). Turn into there and the store is the first on your left. It's a large store and I'm sure will be able to help you. BTW, try out one of their smoothies whilst you're there, made from real fruit and delicious but very filling!

[hilary.colwood]

A friend of ours takes her own bread, pizza bases etc., as she is on a gluten free diet. (She has been to Florida 8 or 9 times) She carries the food in her hand luggage and declares it on the customs form. She has always been asked at customs why she is bringing the food and once she has explained, they have been very helpful.

Hilary

[Jo]

Just been there are done that. My son and I both have coeliac disease .
No problem with taking bread/flour biscuits etc in . I just declared it and was waved through - they didn't even want to see it. Take lots to eat on the flight tohough incase a GF meal doesn't turn up.

The shop Blott mentioned was called Chaimberlains.(there's a brilliant health food store on John Young Parkway. Going towards St Cloud on the 192, turn right into John Young Parkway. After a few traffic lights and a railway bridge, you'll see the Bermuda Center on your right (it has a big sign). Turn into there and the store is the first on your left. ) It is fantastic for GF. I managed to buy gluten free chocolate brownies , waffles, enchiladas, cookies, so we were able to have nice american treats too treats.Found a few bits in the supermarkets - Kellogs Rice Krispie squares are always good for packed lunches - differeent varieties too.


I found Golden Coral most helpful for GF buffets. The staff were very helpful.

They cook things from fresh there and there was enough to choose from. Its easy to talk to the chef.Taco shells were also GF.
Puddings are always a let down , but they did have GF coconut slices , fruit salad, and we had the ice cream. The staff were very helpful.

I carry a stash of sweets with me to sprinkle on top as we are never quite sure what the ones there are. Hersheys kisses and Reeces peanut butter cups are both GF

We also ordered the American gluten free list from the American coeliac society. Not as comprehensive as ours , but it was useful for some things. I ordered it over the phone and had a shipped to the villa. The villa owner put it somewhere safe unitl we arrived.

We took packed lunches into the park as I prefer to not have the hassle of finding the restaurant that has what we can eat , nor paying a fortune for something that's quite boring.

I took made my own rolls when I got there as they taste so much better than the long life ones. All you need is prescription flour , a non stick teflon sheet. If you are staying in a villa they may have a food mixer. PM me if you want details.

I'm sure your son won't starve. We didn't - I am still trying to lose the weight I put on!

Jo

[hadrian]

Thank you all for your helpful comments.

Jo, I will contact the American coeliac society for the American gluten free list. That will be useful in supermarkets. Did you pack gluten free flour in your suitcases or hand luggage?

I'm sure my son won't starve either!

Thanks again, Hadrian

[orlandobabe]

Chamberlins also carries organic veg. The staff are also very helpful if you cannot find what you are looking for amidst their very extensive range. I spent £100 on my list visit and my daughter did the same.

There is an even bigger store at Winter Park Village and that has it it's own cafe inside.

[Tracey K]

My husband is also coeliac - we take the vacuum packed bread and have had no problem whatsoever. Good to know about this shop - we will check it out next time we go.

Disney are absolutely fantastic when it comes to GF meals - advise them when you get your priority seating or tell your server when you get your table. We have done a few character breakfasts and always the chef has come out to talk to hubby, offers him alsorts of food he has never had before (waffles, pancakes etc) and serves him personally!! We have even learnt some things from these chefs at the same time.

[Jo]

Hadrian,

We packed flour in our suitcases as our handluggage was full and we weren't flying direct. I get the point about it may get lost, but if the worst came to the worst you could buy some there. I didn't spread it amongst suitcases as I didn't want to rummage through them all if customs wanted to see it - which they didn't.

If you take fruit or anything fresh to eat on the plane and you have leftovers leave it on the plane, as you cannot import that and there is nowhere to throw it away.

Jo

[Oscar1]

I wouldnt really advise packing flour in your suitcase,the americans are quite funny about white powders, and as flour is an organic product, it will show up on the x-ray which could cause problems. With hightened security at most airports, is it worth the risk. Hand luggage would probably be better.
My advice would be buy it from the states.
Just some thing to think about.
Oscar.