Okay, here’s my blog post about my “gluten-free in Dutch” experiment:
So, I’ve been trying to eat less gluten lately. Nothing serious, just feeling a bit bloated sometimes, you know? And I thought, “Hey, I’m in the Netherlands, how hard can it be to find gluten-free stuff?” Turns out, it’s a bit of an adventure!
My Gluten-Free Quest Begins
First, I hit up the local supermarket, Albert Heijn. I figured, big chain, they must have something, right? I wandered around the aisles, feeling a bit lost. I saw “biologisch” (organic) everywhere, but that’s not the same as “glutenvrij” (gluten-free).
I asked one of the staff, a friendly young guy. “Do you have any, uh, ‘glutenvrij’ bread?” He pointed me to a small section tucked away near the “healthy” stuff. It wasn’t a huge selection, mostly crackers and some rather sad-looking loaves. I grabbed a pack of rice crackers, feeling a little defeated.
Exploring Smaller Shops
Next, I decided to try some smaller, specialty stores. I found this cute little health food shop – “gezondheidswinkel” – in my neighborhood. This place was much better! They had a whole section dedicated to gluten-free products. Breads, pasta, cookies, even some pastries!
I picked up some gluten-free bread that actually looked like bread, and some pasta made from corn and quinoa. I also treated myself to a “glutenvrij appeltaartje” (small apple pie) – it looked delicious!
Eating Out: A Challenge
Eating out was definitely the trickiest part. I learned that “glutenvrij” isn’t always well-understood. I went to a few restaurants and asked about gluten-free options. Some places were great – they had separate menus or could easily modify dishes. Others, not so much.
- One waiter looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about gluten-free pasta.
- Another place assured me their fries were gluten-free, but I’m pretty sure they were cooked in the same oil as everything else. (Oops!)
The Verdict?
It’s definitely possible to eat gluten-free in the Netherlands, but it takes a bit of effort. You have to be proactive, ask questions, and read labels carefully. The bigger supermarkets have a small selection, but the specialty health food stores are much better. Eating out can be hit or miss, so it’s always good to call ahead or check the menu online.
The “glutenvrij appeltaartje” was amazing, though. So that’s a win!