Travel on this diet: Italy

With all its pasta, white bread and pizza, Italy isn't an easy place to travel if you have to stay away from gluten, especially. There are so many temptations! When my husband and I went there on our honeymoon this summer, I thought: "Oh, come on - one week of a little pizza, linguini, tiramisu and espresso can't hurt, can it?" Three days later, the heart burn and skin itch wasn't worth it. It was our honeymoon after all!

But with a little creativity and diligence, you can enjoy Italy too. Do as the Italians do: eat what's seasonal. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the street markets for breakfast or lunch. When it comes to produce, Italy is SUPERIOR to the United States. Sure, their tomatoes may not look as perfect, shiny and super-sized as in our supermarkets. But since they don't manipulate them and bombard them with chemicals, the fruits and veggies actually have juiciness and taste.

At the restaurant, ask if you can substitute pasta for rice. Sometimes they might serve polenta, which is based on cornmeal. Just make sure it really doesn't contain any wheat (frumento) or dairy products (latticini.) Same goes with soups and sauces, which might contain some degrees of flour, milk, butter or cream.

As amazing as Italians are with pasta, gelato and baked goods, they tend to really overcook their vegetables. Even at the finest restaurants, the beautiful veggies might get transformed into a soggy grey mush, drenched in lots of olive oil. You can ask to get them steamed instead (al vapore), and also order a green salad (insalata mista) to get your share of raw veggies. In Florence, they often serve tasty vegan dishes like beans in fresh tomato sauce, or soup with kale and beans (see the recipe for that one right here on the blog!) 

As for deserts, a lot of restaurants offer fresh seasonal fruits (frutta fresca di stagioni), sometimes topped with fresh berries (frutta di bosco.) Italians are definitely coffee drinkers rather than tea drinkers, but some places serve herbal tea (tisana.) You can usually also get mineral water or fruit juices (succo di frutta.)

Here are some Italian phrases that might help you. If you're female, look for the words ending with the "a." Have fun!

I am allergic to wheat - Sono allergico/a al frumento.

I am allergic to dairy products - Sono allergico/a al latticini.

I am allergic to wheat and dairy - Sono allerigico/a al frumento e latticini.

I'm a strict vegetarian - Sono un strettamente vegetariano/a.

Is any meat or animal fat used in this? - Contiene carne o grassi animali?

Is any wheat or dairy used in this? Contiene frumento o latticini?

Can I substitute pasta for rice? Posso sostituie pasta per riso?

Organic - Biologico.

No sugar - senza zucchero.

I'd like... - Vorrei...

We'd like... - Vorremo...

... mixed vegetables - ... misto di verdure.

... steamed vegetables - ... verdure al vapore

Delicious! Delizioso!

My compliments to the chef! Complimenti al cuoco!