Any curiosity about life in Italy? How it is really like to live in the northern part of the boot shaped peninsula?
So, I am a father, I love and have cats and dogs, live in a small town in northern Italy, and and I work full time in a field related to software, technology and loosely transportation. I also lived in Rome, one of the biggest northern italy metropolies, and in smaller places like Pisa.
In a previous life I traveled around lots of the world and in my current life I am training for an Ironman.
All of this, while living in the above mentioned country.
Specially for US lemmiers, but also people from other parts of the world, anything you want me to explain, clarify or just answer about all of the above?
What do people with celiac disease (so the people who aren’t allowed to eat gluten) do in a country that seems to have pizza and pasta as a core part of national identity?
Well, actually it’s more and more common to see piazza places that caters to celiacs with gluten free products and freshly backed pizzas. One of our favourite pizzeria around us recently renovated and created a dedicated gluten free pizza oven with fully separated workflow. Also, in the bigger town nearby there is a “pasticceria” dedicated to gluten-free sweets (like cakes and such), and the main “focacceria” (place where you buy focaccia, a kind of different pizza but to-go only) has a dedicated gluten free shop next door.
So i would say that Italy has evolved quite a lot and support celiacs pretty well.
I don’t know about pasta, but given that in every supermarket the gluten free aisle for pasta is usually well stocked, i guess that should be also available in at least some restaurants…
Wow, that sounds great.
Didn’t expect separated pizza-ovens. Clearly shows dedication and I am happy it’s possible for celiacs to take part!
Italy has a huge incidence of celiac disease. Most children are tested for it.
Absolutely… I know a few celiacs, and while you need to call ahead and ask if the place is good for gluten intollerants, it’s nowadays easy to find a good place to eat.
interesting celiacs is so common in italy.
As a person that also lives in northern Italy, and that have a girlfriend with a series on food intolerances, I can confirm with what OP already said. If you are celiac you can find options now days (obviously much more if you live in a city). If you are lactose intolerant you can also find options (Italy is also a place where lots of cheese is consumed, and many recipes involve some kind of cheese or cream). If you are both at the same time, well that’s where problem starts appearing.
If by any chance you also got a vegan in the group well it’s better to just cook yourself (obviously exaggerating but still your options of places may be very limited).
All this to say: you can find options now (when I was a kid it was unheard of), either with big restaurants/pizzerias that have a double kitchen, or with dedicated places that are fully gluten free.