From Lost in Translation ... to Around the World With DietaryCard
Bon appetit! Guten Appetit! Bon appetito! ¡Que aproveche! Enjoy!
Travellers' tales from coeliacs & food allergy sufferers carrying peace of mind in their pockets
I have been coeliac since birth and have always found it difficult when eating out to describe my problem to waiters and kitchenstaff. Since getting a pack of dietary cards, addressing my allergy in various languages I have found that restaurant staff take the condition more seriously and often go out of their way to accommodate me.
I have a sister in Los Angeles who is married to a doctor and have visited them on many occasions, and prior to obtaining the cardsit was difficult to get busy waiters to take even my brother-in-law seriously but the cards emphasise that I have a medical problem and so chefs are consulted and proper information obtained.
I have used my Dietary Alert Cards in USA ( Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Monterey, New York), Eire (Dublin), Tunisia (Monastir), Holland (Amsterdam), France (Nice & Monaco), Spain (Majorca, Seville, Granada, Barcelona), Germany (Rhine Valley), Egypt (Nile Cruise from Cairo to Abu Simbel via Luxor) and Italy (Amalfi Coast, Sicily & Tuscany) as well as the UK.
In Tunisia and Majorca at every meal I was given a conducted tour of the hotel buffet by the chef or head waiter and was madeto feel special rather than a nuisance.
I cannot speak too highly of the cards, because they have made eating out a pleasure rather than something to worry over.
(Nan, Falkirk)
Having got my dietary cards and been using them I think everyone should know about them!!!! It's made life SO much easier!!! I have one friend in Germany who thought that I had mistranslated things - she didn't understand how anyone could live like this! Now all we need is for ALL restaurants/bars etc to label (just as they do for vegetarians) and we'll be getting somewhere. I work in the City of London and a growing number of establishments have GF markers on their menus - apart from one where they didn't know, the kitchen staff didn't know and my food was delivered with a comment that our waitress was the first aider, so if it went wrong I'd be ok.....
(Katy, England)
Thank you very much for my dietary cards. I used them several times in Zurich and they were very handy indeed. Happy Holidays.
(James, Texas)
It will be a relief not to have to explain everything to people who stare blankly at me and then say "You can eat bread though, can't you?".or some other incredibly dumb question.or "Oh a bit won't do you any harm - don't be so stupid!" GRRRRR. I've been diagnosed less than a year and have largely become a recluse since because going anywhere becomes such a complete nightmare! People just don't get it, and have little understanding of the dangers if I eat even the smallest trace of something I shouldn't..I have ended up feeling a bit of a leper! Thank you so much for what you do.
(Ruth, England)
When in England or abroad I simply hand the relevant card over to the waiter who takes it to the chef who very often comes out to discuss my meal. The fact that I have cards in Spanish, German, Italian, French & English means that I rarely have trouble being understood. These cards can be easily slipped into a purse - I have used them for the past 4 years and am now having some extra cards sent to me as I travel a great deal. Truly these cards have made my coeliac condition much easier to handle when eating away from home.
(Carol, England)
Hi! I haven't used my foreign cards yet but am going to Rome next week. Have used my English card and it worked like a charm. Brilliant & many thanks!
(Eileen, Essex)
I must write to you to say how pleased I am with my set of Dietary Alert Cards, also for the quick (very) response in sending my cards to me ... Being a coeliac in England isn't so bad but it's not so easy to explain abroad. Thanking you once again.
(Mrs Wilson, Colchester)
I heard from Lindsay yesterday. She did indeed receive her cards. Thank you so much for sending them to the hotel. She says they have been a help. She enjoyed London, Paris, Champery, Montreaux, Zermatt, and is now on to Belgium. All was much easier with the cards. Again, thanks. Perhaps the next visit will be to Edinburgh!
(Donna , Oneida)
Just a quick thank you, to say how great the diet cards were and how much more seriously people seem to take you when you produced them. We were travelling by train from Venice to Salzburg then onto Prague, so I was able to use the Italian and German cards.Many thanks again and if nobody else has told you it is a brilliant idea!
(Janice, Stanmore)
Cards received this morning. Thank you for the speedy service. They look really good. We will certainly let you know how we go on our return from Spain, also after our tour of Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland in June.
(Ernest, Ripon)
I am so convinced of the value of the cards that I've decided to have another spare set. I will continue to publicise your service and try to find a sponsor so that an English card gets sent out to new coeliacs on diagnosis.
(Janet, Wolverhampton)
I think your service is great. I have a card which I used in France recently with great success. Restaurants were delighted to oblige. This problem card is for my son, and I have a friend who is ordering one for her braother-in-law. I promise I will promote DietaryCards whenever I can.
(Trish, Reading)
Many thanks for sending the cards so promptly to me. I used the German card in Dresden and it was well received and very helpful. i have given the information about your website to my GP.
(Jill, London)
