Coeliac disorder and holidays

Coeliac disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world and is caused by sensitivity to dietary gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. People with Coeliac (Celiac in the USA) disease must maintain a strict gluten-free diet all their lives as common foods containing ordinary flour are toxic to them. They require gluten-free bread, pastry, pasta, biscuits, etc. which can cause problems eating out, and especially when going on holiday. Sufferers of Dermatitis herpetiformis also need a gluten free diet. Terry Eccles, previous Chief Executive of The Coeliac Society, Coeliac UK, said "gluten is very difficult to avoid when eating away from home as it is in so many food products". There is a constant need to check with hotel or restaurant proprietors, chefs and waiting staff that the food offered is gluten free and is prepared in a manner which avoids any possible contamination with gluten, as the proteins may even be present on surfaces used for food preparation, cooking or utensils used for serving.

Catering for a gluten-free diet.

Within the UK there is a slowly increasing number of hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfasts with the understanding and capability to ensure the provision of food free of gluten for their guests. Similarly, over the last few years more cafés and restaurants have realised the importance of gluten free catering, although there is great room for improvment of the range of food items offered.

One such guest house, specialising in gluten free catering for coeliacs and sufferers from dermatitis herpetiformis, is Jenkin Hill Cottage, which is located in a small village just outside Keswick in the Northern Lake District.