I take food with me wherever I go so that I’m never without a gluten-free snack. Usually, I keep a KIND bar or two in my bag because they keep forever and contain enough protein to provide the energy I need when I’m in a pinch. While traveling over the holidays, I have expanded my staples to ensure that I’ll always have something to eat. Drew also benefits from this strategy because I often pack snacks for him, too. Here’s my packing list:
Cooler
- yogurt
- string cheese
- sparkling water
Bag
- apples
- bananas
- almonds
- Lundberg Family Farms Rice Chips
- Rice Chex
- corn spaghetti and gluten-free pasta sauce
- Nut Thins
- Snickers
- plastic spoons
- napkins
- grocery bag for trash
It may seem like a pain to travel with a lot of your own food, but it makes eating a lot less stressful. I have also recently noticed a number of bloggers describing the temptation to forgo the gluten-free diet over the holidays. Although sticking to a restrictive diet can be difficult during the holidays, especially when I’m faced with all sorts of glutenous goodies that I once enjoyed with abandon, I find that it’s not worth the risk of becoming sick. If I’m uncertain whether or not something is gluten-free, then I don’t eat it. This rule makes dining in restaurants and in the homes of friends and family quite simple (it also helps that Drew supports me on this and never questions my decision not to eat something). It felt a little self-indulgent in the beginning (“What do you mean you can’t eat this dessert I made especially for you?”), but it feels good to be assertive and take care of myself. After all, my wellness is the most important gift on my wish list this holiday.
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{ 2 comments }
Crystal,
You are a role model, not only for those with celiac disease, but for anyone that must avoid a pleasure because it is bad for their health. I will keep your resolve and strength of will in mind during those times when I am tempted by foods that affect me in a negative way.
Gloria Kottick
I have received some comments concerning General Mills Rice Chex, and I want to clarify that the new formulation released in April 2008 is gluten-free. The old Rice Chex recipe included barley, but General Mills changed the recipe in April 2008 so that all Rice Chex made after that date is gluten-free. All of the new boxes say “gluten free” on them. Here are a couple of articles explaining the change:
http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/media_center/news_release_detail.aspx?catID=227&itemID=31762
http://celiacdisease.about.com/b/2008/03/26/gluten-free-rice-chex-coming-soon-to-a-store-near-you.htm
Enjoy!
Crystal
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