Food limitations needn’t stop you from enjoying one of life’s greatest pleasures: eating in Italy. 

According to Food Allergy Italia, the essential ingredients of Italy’s Mediterranean-based diet are “durum wheat pasta, milk, cheese, egg, meat, shellfish and fish, vegetables, fruits and nuts (often used for preparing desserts, cakes and ice creams).”

If the list of food and/or ingredients above contains foods you must avoid – whether because of a medical condition or lifestyle choice – here are some tips and advice to help you eat well and safely in Italy.

‘Non posso mangiarlo’

If you have allergies or hypersensitivities to certain foods, suffer from diabetes or have celiac disease, it’s important to understand which Italian dishes have the potential to contain the allergens or ingredients that may cause a reaction.

If you’re allergic to nuts

Avoid ordering fried foods as many restaurants cook with peanut oil.

Keep in mind that pesto contains pine nuts (as well as parmesan cheese, a no-no for the lactose-intolerant).

Mortadella has thinly sliced pieces of pistachio and chocolate cake could be hiding hazelnuts.

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerances

Because there is a high rate of celiac disease among the Italian population, you’ll find a wide variety of gluten-free products available in supermarkets and even at local grocers. In many restaurants in Italy, it’s possible to substitute regular pasta for a gluten-free kind.  

The good news is that food producers such as GROM, a chain of Italian gelateria are completely gluten-free, offering pure and authentic Italian ice cream. 

If you’re diabetic

Although the incidence of diabetes is increasing among the Italian population, the country hasn’t quite caught up to the growing demand for sugar-free items.

A typical Italian breakfast consists of a cornetto with a cappuccino, however some bars offer grano integrale (whole wheat) pastries, which are much lower in sugar content. Be sure to ask for a vuoto (empty) that’s not filled with crema (sweet cream) or marmellata (jam).   

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When shopping, check packages carefully. Fruit preserves may say senza zucchero (without sugar) but may mean “no sugar added” (senza zucchero aggiunto). Look for the words like fruttosio (fructose), saccarosio (sucrose) and destrosio (dextrose), which are all forms of sugar. Packaged foods are known for putting sugar where none is expected or needed (such as on dry-roasted, salted cashews).

If you’re vegan or can’t digest dairy

Ask your barista for a cappuccino or caffe latte di soia (soy).

Be aware that many kinds of pasta – especially ribbon ones – are made with egg, as is the classic Roman fare spaghetti alla carbonara. If you aren’t sure, ask.

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Tips for managing your food limitations in Italy

Take care to always read food labels. The European Union requires food sold within the EU to provide essential ingredients information to inform consumers about their purchases. The information must be accurate, easy to see and understand, not misleading, and indelible.

Shop at outdoor farmer’s markets, which tend to sell food that is home-grown, organic and pure.

Call ahead and ask the restaurant if their menu includes dishes that meet your dietary requirements, i.e., vegan and vegetarian dishes, wheat/gluten-, dairy- or sugar-free options, Kosher, Halal, etc.

If you are at a restaurant, notify staff immediately that if you have serious allergies or intolerances. If you see something on your plate that looks dubious, don’t be embarrassed to double check with the chef. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

If your allergies are so severe that traces of a cross-contaminate could send you into anaphylactic shock, carry a pre-translated list of the foods you’re allergic to, if you don’t speak Italian fluently.

If you experience an allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention, call Italian emergency number 118 and tell the operator you are having an anaphylactic reaction.

Say: “Sto avendo uno shock anafilattico da alimento. Sono gravemente allergico a …. (reading from the list of allergen/allergens)”.

An ambulance will be dispatched to your location and you will be administered epinephrine or taken directly to the nearest hospital for treatment.