Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Planning a trip to Spain. Any food advice?

I lived in Spain for about 6 months, two years ago. I have been to barcelona and it is amazing. I didn't have IBS at the time, but I will try to think about safe foods for you to order. Unfortunately you can pretty much forget about anyone preparing anything special for you -- it's just not really done as easily over there. If you are staying in a big hotel, you probably have better luck asking them to make somethign special than you would at a tapas bar.
Here are some pretty safe things I can think of:

cookies called "marias" are sold at every store and are similar to graham crackers. I do think they probably contain a little milk and eggs, but I am not bothered by those things when they are baked into a product -- I just can't eat them straight. If that sounds like somethig you can tolerate, go into any store there and buy some.

At the tapas bar: Boquerones are white anchovies that are marinated in vinegar and oil. They are not really anything like the pizza anchovies we think of here, and I love them. They are also not friend, which is a rare find in espana. Tapas are always served with lots of bread, so munch on that. Remember that this trip is about having a fun experience -- so if you stand at a tapas bar and all you can eat is the bread, focus on the fact that you are in spain having a great time -- you can eat other foods when you get home.

Also remember that Barcelona is probably the most international Spanish city. You are very likely to find other cuisines, other restaurants, in the city.

If I think of more things I'll tell you. I have to admit that when I went to Salamanca this summer for a weekend to visit my host family, I cheated on the diet the whole time. I had all kinds of ham and pork and other things -- I really cheated the whole summer. My stress was non-existant and I got away with everything. I don't recommend that, but it worked for me!

PS -- Tortilla Espanola (spanish omelette) is traditionally made with lots of yolk and lots of oil. While the potatoes do provide a good cushion of soluable fiber, I wouldn't consider it, as traditinally prepared, to be safe. You can probably have a bite and get away with it. I've adapted the recipe to make it IBS safe, and I feel like I posted it but now I'm not sure. I'll have to do a search on the recipe board and if I find it I'll bump it up.

Good luck and enjoy your trip. Spain is wonderful.

Panda

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Amanda

I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin

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