National Info

[Silly Yak]

Spain

Charlotte, oxford on GF board

I have never had a problem eating in Spain in "proper" restaurants where Spaniards eat and they prepare all their own food. They put far less rubbish/ready-made sauces etc in their food than we do. Tourist areas with lots of Brits may be harder.
You won't find gluten-free eating places as such - find a helpful chef instead.
People in Spain don't understand about gluten intolerance but if you speak to the chef they will be accommodating and cook your own dish. Spaniards can be very demanding about food quality so no one will be offended. Be wary about deep fried food though because so much will be contaminated by batter (eg squid). Nor is tapas usually a safe option. Grilled fish or meat should be fine ("a la plancha"). Omelettes. Chips if done in dedicated fryer (sometimes). Salads with separate oil and vinegar. Ice cream or "Flan" (creme caramel) are universal for dessert (check if chef uses wheatflour or cornflour)

[Silly Yak]

Re: Spain
Posted by Charlotte, Oxford on 19/5/2004
GF board

I really recommend the small villages near Begur, in northern Cataluyna due east of Girona, especially if you are not going to go in August.
It's a lovely area and the prettiest little beaches (which get very busy in high season but are very civilised).
We've had 2 holidays in a most fantastic villa (owned by English people) overlooking Agua Blava, with a pool and vegetable garden (and gardener!).
It's very Catalan (lots of Barcelonians own villas there) and quite chic but unprententious and great food. I have never had a problem getting gluten-free meals in GOOD restaurants in Spain: they don't know much about CD but they cook all their own food.
Begur is a delightful small town with a great small supermarket and some superb restaurants. It's not on the sea but about 2 kilometres from half a dozen little beaches/resorts - look at the Begur.org municipal website and all the beaches are featured - click on PLATGES. Sa Riera would be great - there's also a nice small campsite there friends went to last year. Sa Tuna is even smaller and cuter (like a Cornish cove) but less facilities. You probably need a car though most of these Begur beaches are linked by a coastal path. Aigua Freda is smaller still and rocky but very pretty and less busy in high season - with a diving school and a great restaurant.
Begur.net also has photos.
The area inland is also interesting - Girona is delightful and utterly unvisited. There are some great classical sites nearby and very good snorkelling off the protected Islas Medes to the north. Lots of pottery at La Bisbal.
I would go back anytime.
A lot of best accomodation is on Spanish/Catalan websites: get yourself a Spanish speaker and Google for villa/apartemento + the village you want. There are cheap flights to Girona and car hire is also cheap.

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Re: Spain
Posted by Val on 18/5/2004,

GF board
We had a good week at Sitges which is about half an hour from Barcelona by train. Its a pretty little town - a manageable size and has some really good restuarants. At lunch time tapas is very good because you can pretty well see which dishes are likely to be safe. We found several restuarants run either by English people or by people who spoke good English. The phrases about coelic disease in the CUK travel guide also came in handy. I'm afraid I didn't explore the supermarkets as we stayed in a hotel and ate out most of the time.

[Silly Yak]

Posted by Charlotte, Oxford on 20/5/2004 GF board



Take your own prescription bread, rolls, crackers, pasta, biscuits, flour - if there's an oven you can always bake a few buns. I didn't find any GF products and it would be a hassle to order it by the web and very unreliable. The post was awful there when we went - my postcards alltook 6 weeks! I have made several journeys by air with GF food for 2 of us for 2 weeks. Get a letter from your GP saying you need a extra baggage allowance to carry the food if flying Ryanair - they only allow 15kgs.
The only places I've GF found items in Spain are some health food shops and El Corte Ingles in Madrid. It would just be a bore looking. Far better to spend shopping time looking for lovley veg and fish. The supermarket we used in Begur was small but very well stocked, with good fresh meat and veg too, even fish - you really didn't need to go anywhere else, though there's a great market in the nearest town, Palafrugel, fun on a Sunday morning. The area is quite affluent so produce is good quality.
There's a realy good restaurant called Juanito's on the street leading from the church square to the castle. It's small & dark, run by a son and his mother. They cook all local fish with veg and pots in a bread oven (but not bread). They make wonderful puddings and ices and most are GF. You have to book in the evenings.
You really need to speak some Spanish or at least French in the area...



Of course it's 2 years since I was there so things may have changed - it's possible things are available there now. It all depends whether you can be bothered to spend the time chasing things.
Awareness of CD in Spain is rapidly growing - media reports etc. It has a high rate of CD, similar to northern Italy.
You've probably seen this website which has more info than before. Recommended restaurants are all in Barcelona.

Link: www.celiacscatalunya.org/

[Silly Yak]

Re: Spain - novice traveller

Posted by Willie on 16/8/2005

GF board

You can find gluten-free products such as bread, cookies or pasta in shops called "HERBOLARIOS" or in big supermarkets. Anyway, I strongly recommend you to take some gluten-free products with you.
In case you’d like to eat in a restaurant, please cut the text at the bottom explaing what’s a coeliac and how to prepare gluten-free dishes in spanish and show it to them. It will be very useful for them to offer you a gluten-free meal. If you’d like to eat meat or fish: ALWAYS grilled, NEVER fried.
HE SIDO DIAGNOSTICADO COMO CELIACO
Podría ponerme enfermo si tomo cualquier alimento que contenga trigo, cebada, centeno, avena o los productos derivados de estos cereales. Esto incluye harina, pan, pastas, empanadillas, croquetas, rebozados, salsas, sopas, pasteles, galletas, bizcochos, bollos, malta, extracto de malta, muchos de los embutidos, extractos de caldos.
Los celíacos PODEMOS tomar, carne, pescado, huevos, frutas, verduras, hortalizas, legumbres, arroz, maíz, soja y patata. Estos alimentos deben de ser cocinados sin harina, es decir cocidos, asados, a la plancha, a la brasa o en su estado natural.
POR FAVOR, CUANDO PREPARE UNA COMIDA, SI TIENE ALGUNA DUDA, PREGUNTE. MUCHAS GRACIAS.



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[Silly Yak]

Posted by Paul Madrid on 10/1/2006

GF board

...... as promised, here are some makes of GF food in Spain.

Beiker (from El Corte Ingles - special GF area)
Hacendado (from Mercadona supermarkets)
El Pozo (from most supermarkets)
MRM (from El corte Ingles - chilled meats area)
Alipende (from Ahorra Mas Supermarkets)

I've just got the new Spanish GF Directory, so if anyone needs help, let me know.

mailto:[e-mail]

[Silly Yak]

Re: Taking GF products on holiday
Posted by Eunice Healey on 8/3/2006
GF board

Have just read this subject - can't remember who put the question now but I LIVE in Spain. There is really no need to bring GF stuff with you - Mercadona (Supermarket)stocks lots of GF including ice cream; some Carrefours do and I buy my bread from SuperCor which has a large stock of GF stuff. There are also a few health food shops where you can buy almost anything - depends which part of Spain you are going to.

[Silly Yak]

GF Ice creams and Chocolate - Spain

Posted by Paul on 22/6/2006

None of the readily available (in kiosks etc) ice crems are listed as GF, although I've had Magnums and Soleros without any problems - I'm just eating one as we speak - it's 34º at the moment...
Some supermarkets, especially IFA (this is the main chain, but others like Ahorra Mas are part of the chain selling Alipende own brand foods) and Mercadona (all across spain) have their own brand GF varieties (very wide range).
Sweets and chocolates are difficult to find, the main brands are listing possible wheat contamination (nestle, Milka etc), so I'd bring some with you. Maybe they're being over cautious, but I don't touch them just in case.
La Casa make are ok (within reason) they make Lacasitos - similar ti smarties and they are ok. You can buy M&M's here and snickers that are ok.
Like in the UK, manufacturers are labelling very well now, especially the new guidelines, and most wrappers are in English too. Things to avoid: Almidon (starch), Harina (flour), Trigo (wheat), Cebada (barley), Centeno (rye), Avena (oats).
Hope this helps. Paul.

[Silly Yak]

Ice creams/lollies in Spain
Posted by clare on 16/6/2007GF board

Menorquina ice creams and ice cream desserts are sold all over Spain and are GF. They also have some really fun things for kids!
I've popped the link on to thier website so you get some idea. I hope it helps.





Link: www.menorquina.co.uk/products-menorquina.aspx

[Silly Yak]

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rough guide to Spanish GF food
Posted by paul madrid on 16/6/2007

GF board

a rough guide of general foods:

SPANISH CUISINE

The Spanish cuisine is very varied and rich, every city and village has their own typical dishes. We have elaborated a list of TYPICAL Spanish tapas, dishes, deserts, and drinks that should not have gluten:
Gluten-free tapas
Pulpo a la gallega (Octopus boiled, sliced and dressed with oil and paprika. Served with cachelos, galician potatoes.)
Sepia a la plancha sin mayonesa (Grilled cuttlefish without mayonnaise)
Calamares a la plancha (Grilled squids)
Aceitunas, pepinillos y cebolletas (Olives, gherkins and spring onions)
Anchoas en aceite (Anchovies in oil)
Boquerones en vinagre (Anchovies marinated in vinegar)
Jamón serrano (Cured Ham)
Queso (Cheese)
Espetos de sardinas (Sardines grilled at the barbecue)

Gluten-free dishes
Cordero asado (Roasted lamb)
Cochinillo asado (Roasted suckling pig)
Mariscos cocidos o la plancha (Boiled or grilled shellfish)
Paella: Consultar que colorante han utilizado y si también se ha añadido sazonador (Paella: ask what food colouring has been used and if it has been seasoned with stock cubes)
Tortilla de patata (Spanish Omelette)
Guisantes con jamón serrano (Peas with cured ham)
Revuelto de huevos con champiñones, gambas, o espárragos trigueros (Scrambled eggs with mushrooms, prawns or asparagus)
Huevos rotos: huevos con jamón serrano y patatas (Eggs with cured ham and potatoes)
Marmitako: patatas, bonito, tomates, ajos, cebollas y pimientos (Potatoes with tuna, onions, peppers, tomatoes and garlics)
Escalivada (Roast of vegetables)
Pipirrana: ensalada de tomates, pimientos, cebollas, atún o bacalao (Salad of tomatoes, peppers, onions, tuna or cod)
Pisto manchego: tomates, cebolla, calabacín, ajo, aceite, sal y perejil (Vegetable Stew (tomato, onion, courgette, garlic, oil, salt & pepper) from La Mancha)
Papas a lo pobre: patatas con pimientos y cebolla (Potatoes with peppers and onions)
Bacalao al pilpil (Traditional Basque cod recipee)
Bacalao al Ajoarriero (Cod-fish with garlic and eggs)
Dorada o lubina a la sal (Gilt head fish or Sea Bass in Salt Crust)
Merluza a la gallega: merluza, patata y pimiento (Hake, potatoes and peppers)
Pescados y carnes a la plancha (Grilled fishes and meats)

Gluten-free deserts
Arroz con leche casero (Homemade Rice pudding: rice, milk, sugar and cinnamon)
Natillas caseras, no de sobre (Homemade Custard)
Flanes caseros, no de sobre (Homemade Cream caramel)
Tocino de cielo (Toffee caramel-rich custard)
Frutas en almíbar (Fruit in syrup)
Yemas Cuajada fresca (A type of very firm yoghourt)
Helado en bloque o tarrina de nata y/o vainilla (Plain and/or vanilla ice cream)
Sorbete de limón (Lemon sorbet)

Link: Coelics Madrid (in English)

www.celiacosmadrid.org/actualidad_19.html

[Silly Yak]

My first takeaway GF pizza

Posted by paul in madrid on 12/1/2008

GF board

Yesterday, Telepizza a Spanish firm launched their GF pizzas. They are great! 2 flavours - ham and bacon and 4 cheeses. To avoid cross-contamination, they arrive in the shop frozen (and in a foil tray and not one of their pizza dishes) and are baked separately. They don't cut them and they come in a special box marked 'GF'.
We had a great time and they tasted absolutely great. Even better, they always have a 2x1 offer, so my GF one was free!! (usually ˆ12).
I even bought 2 more to bring home.
They're only in Madrid at the moment…..

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[Silly Yak]

A week in central Spain and thanks to Paul & Aad re beer
Posted by Charlotte, Oxford on 16/4/2008

GF board

Thanks to Paul and Aad for helping me find Estrella Damm beer (not in local Carrefour nr B Murillo but in a Mercadona in Salamanca). I liked the look and taste of the beer and at 3.84 euro for 4 it was less than a third of the price of Green's. Looks nicer and more Spanish too.

Thank's to FACE's (Spanish Coeliac Society) awareness campaign Spain showed far more awareness of CD than my last visit in 2004. Now many waiters prompt 'celiaca?' as soon as you mention no wheat. It didn't radically alter what's suitable to eat in most restaurants - still more choice than a non-meat eater - and to some extent had a negative effect in some hotels eg in the Parador we stayed in there was a separate 'coeliac menu' - good you might think until you realise it had only two options and no pudding, despite the fact that there were clearly other dishes, including puddings that were gluten-free - if you could get to talk to the chef. So it's been a bit pigeon-holed. Better really is the system of identifying GF items on the main menu as is happening more and more here.

However there were a good range of foods for breakfast (inc cheeses, hams, fruits, dried fruit & nuts, yoghurts) and place to use a toaster bag. Many hotels also now stock some GF baked goods (of varying quality: some bread had to be discreetly dropped into my handbag). I was even given a plate of (slightly rubbery) churros (quite difficult to eat at the end of a large breakfast but I felt I should reward the effort!). NB It is still possible to eat well (ie traditional menu de dia: salad, steak and chips, flan, glass of wine) for 10 euro in small villages.

I can recommend all the hotels - and places - we stayed in: Hotel Rector, Salamanca; El Balcon de la Vera, La Vera (Gredos Mts); Palacio S Marta, Trujillo; and the Parador, Guadalupe - the last hotel a most magical situation and extraordinary place in a wonderful green mountain setting. Also en route, Avila, Jerte Valley (cherry blossom) Placencia and Mont Frague national park (birds esp vultures) and Merida (Roman ruins). And despite a lot of rain (welcome in Spain) all beautiful, quiet and very varied, with hills white & mauve with cistuses & lavender, hoopoes, wild piglets, with easy driving on good but deserted roads. Thoroughly recommended.





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[Silly Yak]

Posted by paul in madrid on 18/3/2009,


GF board


The biggest difference here is that there isn't any prescription food - so you buy everything...
BREAD/FLOUR/CRACKERS:
Schar products are avialable in a lot of private health food shops, although some brands (that I personally don't like) are available in places like El Corte Ingles. However, El Corte Ingles do their own brands too - they're cheaper and the frozen baguette is very nice!

NORMAL FOODS:
Generally, food labelling is very good, especially Mercadonna supermarkets. But most brands have GF stuff and it's clearly labelled and widely available.

Another BIG difference is that there are very few READY MEALS available - they cook everything from scratch!

Yes, there is a bible . FACE is the organisation and their bible is a little confusing as there are so many brands and labelling has become so good, you don't really need it. .....

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[Silly Yak]

Ice cream in Spain

Please see:


www.fantasyicecream.co.uk/produc ... quina.aspx

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Spanish ice cream info-Menorquina.

For those of you travelling to Spain and Spanish Islands.
Posted by Lucy- N.London on 17/7/2009

www.fantasyicecream.co.uk/produc ... quina.aspx

This range is stocked all over Spain, Canaries and Balaerics. So take a note of the icecreams that are Gluten Free, especially if you have children who like to ask for icecreams rather a lot on holiday!

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[Silly Yak]

GF pointers for Spain.

Look for the FACE logo on food – it’s the Spanish organisation’s logo. It guarantees the food is GF.

This is the list of manufactures that are registered to use the logo


• Marca: HACENDADO
Marca: TSR, SIN GLUTEN
Marca: NONEGLU
• Marca: PANISHOP
Marca: PAMFROST
Marca: ILLERA
Marca: EL FOGÓN
Marca: KELLOGG'S
Marca: DELICEL
Marca: SINGLU
Marca: 7 ISLAS
Marca: SECOE, SIN GLUTEN
Marca: GULLON
Marca: GNG
Marca: PASTAS GALLO
Marca: TRADIGUST
Marca: ALMONDY, A.B.
Marca: AYELEN
Marca: BACCHINI
Marca: BIOVITA
• Marca: VIVERE
MARCA
ADPAN
OLEANDER
NUTRIBÉN
ROLER
LA COLEGIALA
BERLYS
AYELEN
ADOBOS CAYSAN
CANTÚ
EL MORENO
CASADEMONT
LE VENEZIANE, NOGLUT
Almondy, B.A.
CRUSET
SINGLU
ELPOZO
LA LUNA
ALEJANDRO
ARIZALETA
MARTÍNEZ
LA PILA
MORENO SAEZ
DISTRIBUCIONES EL MOLINO DE PATERNA, LA BOTIFARRERA
PALACIOS
SUN SOL
NUTRICEL
GNG
7 ISLAS
PASTICELY
MANACEL
LA GLORIA RIOJANA, MARTÍNEZ SOMALO, MARTINEZ URUÑUELA, PEPE LUIS, SIERRA BLANCA
HORNO DE LEÑA (solo los productos especiales que elaboran sin gluten)
GLUTESTOP
TELLO
MRM
AULET PRODUCTOS DE-LEY
BEIKER
ESPSILON
GOSHUA
LARRASOAÑA
MARTÍNEZ LORIENTE
VICENTE VIDAL
PASTAS GALLO
BACCHINI, BIOVITA, VIVERE
BI-AGLUT
PROCELI
GLUTEN FREE
P.A.N
ARMENGOL, NONEGLU
HARISIN
BARBACOA MEDITERRÁNEA, GOROSTI, KAMPER, LIBRA, , POLMAR, SANT DALMAI
SCHORN
ORGRAN
VEGENAT-3

Shops etc

GF foods are available in a separate section in El Corte Ingles, they sell other brands like Shaer for flour etc. and often frozen foods too. Santiveri also have their own shops and sell rice cakes and (nice ) pastas. You can buy some things in your local Herboristeria (health food shop) and some pharmacies.

Most supermarkets stock ‘everyday’ GF products, brands not listed above include:
Alipende (Ahorra Mas supermarket chain)
Hacendado (Mercadonna supermarket Chain)
Campofrio (countrywide brand for cold metas, sausages etc)

You’ll find a lot of cold meats labelled GF too, Serrano ham etc are all ok.

Not all pre packed minced meat is GF! It’s common here to bulk out the meat with a filler, sometimes breadcrumbs. Some supermarkets label it as GF.

You need to look for foods labelled SIN GLUTEN or LIBRE DE GLUTEN. Some brands have started using a similar logo to the FACE logo. Whilst not a 100% guarantee, I’ve not had any problems (touch wood).

Different Association around Spain (the regional Coeliac offices) can be found here:

www.celiacos.org/miembros_andalucia.html

The main website (only In Spanish) is here: www.celiacos.org


Eating Out

Eating out is quite safe. Sauces are normally thickened with cream not flour, salads are fresh and tasty (without croutons though!), burgers are normally 100% beef, steaks and chicken breasts ‘a la plancha’ are normally fine & of course, Tortilla too. Cafeterias VIPS do a good range of foods that are naturally GF, burgers, salads, meats, etc.

“Por favor, queiro ______ con todo pero sin el pan, soy celiaco y no puedo tomar”
I Would like _____ with everything but without bread, I’m coeliac and can’t eat it
“Quiero_____ pero sin los crutones de pan, el queso azul y el pan tambien”
I would like___ but without croutons, blue cheese and the bread too.

Burger King
Nothing is listed here in the Bible for BK, so forget it.

McDonalds
Big Big Mac – without bread
Big Mac – without bread
¼ pounder – without bread AND mustard
Hamburger /cheeseburger – without bread AND mustard
Big Tasty – without bread AND big tasty sauce
McBacon ¬– without bread AND bacon sauce
McRib – without bread
McRoyal deluxe – without bread
The other burgers speak for themselves – either in a batter or breadcrumbs.

Patatas deluxe are NOT GF. Normal fries are ok, but check to see they haven’t been cooked in the same fryer as deluxe.
The Ice creams are ok (without the cone)
McFlurry – with M&M or Turron toppings are ok.
Sundeas – only chocolate and nut sauce toppings are ok.
Salads – de le huerta, Mediterranea are ok. Ranchera is ok without the chicken.
Sauces – Mayonaise, mustard (sachet), ketchup, cesar, ranchera and balsamic vinegar are ok.
Gazpacho is also ok.
NONE of the coffees are actually listed as GF, but think this might be an oversight.

The popular daily menu (menu al dia) normally offers a wide choice of foods, salads, steaks, fish etc BUT don’t be afraid to ask for a steak (filette) if it isn’t on the menu. I’ve never had problems with contamination with these menus.

The ranges of salads here are never ending and as far as I know, the vinegars for salads are all GF. Take care though when it’s a ‘salsa’. You can ask for the salad without the salsa and just have oil and vinegar.

Crisps (patatas fritas) are a popular snack food and are available loose in most of the ‘sweet shops’. I’ve never had a problem with these as they use a dedicated scoop to put them in the bag.

Starbucks don’t do GF sandwiches here like in the UK, so snack foods for being away from the house have to be taken with you.

Alcohol

Like the UK, all spirits, wines etc are ok. Baileys and Amaretto aren’t GF most of the time.
Bacardi Breezers etc aren’t popular with the Spaniards, although some of the tourist bars stock them. I don’t know if they are GF.

[kickingfrog]

From CUK:


www.coeliac.org.uk/document-library/179-spain/