Eating gluten-free in Italy

One of the many reasons we continue to choose Italy as one of our FitCation destinations is the delicious food, from mouthwatering gelatos to the famous Sicilian "pasta alla Norma." 

If you are wondering if you can try these dishes and desserts when following a gluten-restrictive diet, the answer is YES! 

It may sound surprising since an average of 23 kilograms of pasta is consumed per person per year, but at the same time, Italy is one of the most gluten-free friendly countries. 

There are dozens of restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets with gluten-free options in every corner of the country, providing options for those who follow this diet. And the best part is that these treats taste as good as the ones with gluten! 

So if you follow this diet and you need a hand with Italian, the phrases that will come in handy on your travels will be:

• "Senza glutine" (Gluten-free)

• "Sono allergico al glutine, avete opzioni senza glutine?" (I'm allergic to gluten; do you have gluten-free options?)

• "Sono celiaco/a, mangio solo cibi senza glutine" (I'm celiac, I only eat gluten-free food).

If you are in supermarkets, look for options with a cross-grained symbol (“spiga barrata”). Restaurants usually use the same symbol to identify this kind of food. 

But if you are seeking more information about eating gluten-free in Italy, you should get more details through the Associazione Italiana Celiachia (The Italian Celiac Association). This non-profit association promotes and informs individuals with celiac disease and their families. 

Their website contains tips for navigating this type of diet in the country. In fact, this association manages the quality control of food in Italy before labeling them with the "spiga barrata" mentioned above. Not only that, but they designed an application called "AIC Mobile" that allows you to access a directory of gluten-free stores and restaurants. Although it is a paid app, a free trial is offered. This app is efficient and undoubtedly an ally for people who follow a gluten-free diet.

So, if you are planning to join our next FitCation in Sicily, remember that you can enjoy Italian food worry-free!