USVI-On-Line

Anyone have a recommendation on where to shop on St John for gluten free and dairy food free items. One of our group has food allergies. Thanks

I have celiac disease so I'm on a strict gluten free diet. You can occasionally find GF items at stores but you definitely can't count on it and it is insanely expensive. I bring it with me.

If you're going to be eating out I can give you some recommendations on GF friendly restaurants.

I would think that dairy free items would be easy- it's either obviously in a product or not (on the label - or ask at the restaurant). Gluten free is another issue... If the person has Celiac, not one grain of flour can touch their food - and it lurks in many unsuspecting foods - even "roasted potatoes" are sometimes dredged in flour... Soy sauce (unless it's tamari) has flour, salad dressings, etc. - as do tons of things you'd never suspect. Many items in restaurants may not have gluten, but may have been prepared in or next to something that had gluten containing flour (fryers, counter tops). If the person just has an allergy (and not Celiac), it may not be as critical if a tiny tiny bit gets cross contaminated.

Having said the above, I would think the person with the allergy is accustomed to buying products & ordering at restaurants. All restaurants will have salads (watch the dressings) and items that can be prepared fairly safely.

I went an entire year eating completely gluten free because we thought I did have celiac... it was not easy - but I did find as long as I really read labels & talked with the restaurant staff, I was always able to find something.

We found GF items both at Starfish and St. John markets. Took some basics with us.

Called all restaurants a day ahead and told them our restrictions. Often the special meals were better than the ones we ordered from the menu!:-) At the time we were also not eating fish or meat so it was a challenge for the chef's. Best meals we had were at La Tapa![/b]