All Inclusive Gluten Free Tips : Paradisus Palma Real, DR

Before going to an all inclusive resort, someone should be super excited… right?

I was terrified. And it was because I was convinced that I was going to starve, or get sick. Or maybe both. I dunno. There was a lot of worst case scenario going through my head.

I had never been to an all inclusive resort before, but knowing that buffet is the main source of food, and that language barriers might be an issue… I couldn’t help but expect the worst.

I can honestly say there were some fearful moments, some great moments, but in my five day stay at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana DR, I did not get sick once.

By no means, am I now an expert at all resorts, but if you’re starting at square one, perhaps I can help you reach square two with the tidbits I picked up along the way.

Tip #1 : Bring Food

There is confidence that comes with the knowledge that no matter what happens, you will not die of starvation while ironically surrounded by food.

Bring some food in your luggage to eat at the resort, and food to travel with so you have something to munch on.

My favourite purse snacks? Made Good Breakfast Bars I brought 4 boxes with me, I came home with one. This served me when there was nothing to eat at the airport and also as a beach or late night snack.

The most genius thing I brought? Gluten Free Granola was a must have! The resort had plenty of alternative milks at breakfast, but it did not have any sort of gluten free grains or cereal. Bringing my own granola and being able to pour some milk on it at breakfast completed the plate for me. I could have my omelette, a side of fruit, and also a nice starchy dose of carbs to keep my belly satisfied (and soak up some of the acidity of the fruit overload I had this week). It also gave me opportunity to eat on the plane ride home.

The security blanket meal I brought? When you fear starvation, you’re not just looking for bars and granola. You want to feel like you have something of substance just in case you want a late night feed. For my solution to this dilemma I brought powdered bone broth and gluten free ramen noodles. Laugh if you must, but I ate this when I first arrived at 10pm and had no other food alternatives and the comfort it provided that first night was absolutely worth the transport. By having this I knew that I would have starch and protein to fill me up, and a warm meal in my belly when needed.

Wondering how you cook yourself a bowl of ramen? Now is time to make use of the kettle in the room my friends. Add ramen, bottled water, and a few scoops of bone broth powder (and salt if you have some) to the kettle. Set to boil. Leave for a few minutes after the boiling is done until noodles are cooked to desired level of tenderness. Pour into any bowl or mug available in the room. Enjoy!

** If you’re curious about bringing an animal product through customs… powdered bone broth is not an issue. I did bring it in a sealed container and would always declare an animal product. However, since its processed into a powder, customs will not be concerned about it. It poses no risk to agriculture, disease, or anything else. Though they will appreciate the declaration.

Tip #2: Show Up Early

You do NOT want to be fashionably late to the buffet. The later you arrive, the more risk you run of cross contamination. Rice that may have been safe an hour before has now had so many serving spoons dipped into it that goodness only knows what you’re putting onto your plate. Be a keener. Be first in line.

Tip #3: Beware the ‘Rose Between Two Thorns’

This resort was absolutely great for having a staff member come out to show you around the buffet. They would point out all of the gluten free food that is available to you. But there is one huge issue… many gluten free dishes are placed between two gluten filled dishes.

The risk for cross contamination being just beside the other gluten filled dishes was too much for me to risk, and I wouldn’t recommend this risk to anyone. It would be just too easy for someone to use the same serving spoon going into each, or the same set of tongs. The average drunk vacationer is not thinking of how they are going to destroy your guts with a simple misplacement of the tongs.

Even if the dish looks good, if it was between two unsafe options, I would take a hard pass.

P.S. When the staff member is taking you around, they are going to go quick! Have your cell phone ready so you can snap pictures of the dishes that are available to you.

Tip #4: Observe Best Practice

You are ultimately the only person who can look after your safety when it comes to food. Even though staff understand gluten free, I was less confident about cross contamination (more on this in ‘Don’t Trust Room Service’)

When you go into the buffet, scan to see which stations are the most likely to be safe, and go with that.

The omelette station directly on the left upon entering was my favourite for breakfast and for lunch. Why? Nothing else was cooked on it other than omelettes. I could see the ingredients that were added to the omelettes (veggies, herbs, and meat) and knew that there was very small risk at this station. At lunch, this grill was used to prepare fresh fish. Once again, there were no gluten containing ingredients (garlic oil, salt and pepper were the only seasonings on offer). This station became my go to for protein at mealtime.

The salad bar had only dressings and vegetables. There was nothing else nearby the vicinity that could accidentally land in there. I could grab fresh veggies to have as a side dish.

The fruit bar was literally just a huge bunch of fruit. There was, once again, nothing else that was nearby that could put accidental crumbs into the meal. Call me cautious, but I did grab from the back of the fruit trays using a fork I brought, just in case someone was sloppy with the tongs.

There was a small gluten free basket that did have bread. I didn’t eat it. It was pre packaged. It also had an expiry for about a year. That was enough to scare me. If you are braver than I am, I salute you, may the odds be ever in your favour.

Tip #5: Let the Resort Know

When you check in, you can request allergy aware cards at the front desk here. There is a gluten free celiac card that you can present going into the buffet and into the A La Carte Restaurants. If you are staying at another resort, I would recommend having something similar done before you arrive, or have someone at guest services make you one. Even if it takes a little while to communicate your needs, there will be someone who can translate this for you so that you can increase your odds substantially when you are preparing to eat.

Tip #6: Cross Contamination

Go with what you know, and not with what someone tells you. When I was being led around the buffet, I was told that the smoothie station is gluten free. However I did observe a lot of cereal and granola that was available at the smoothie station. If people are having that put into their smoothie before it goes into the blender, then all of a sudden it is no longer gluten free.

Know what you know about cross contamination and use your own best practices. This is not the time for blind faith.

Tip #7: Don’t Trust Room Service

When everything else is closed and you’re looking for a late night bite, room service is going to be tempting. Don’t do it.

Story time.

First night we arrived, it was after 10pm by the time we had checked in, I had my allergy cards, and we made it to the room. The buffet and all restaurants were closed. I hadn’t eaten a proper meal since Toronto at about 10am. I am 8 months pregnant. I’m hungry and desperate.

We checked out the room service menu. I noticed on there that grilled chicken and herbs was on the menu. I thought that looked like the best bet to have a meal and avoid illness.

We called room service. Placed our order, and made sure to let them know that I was celiac.

40 minutes later or so, when the food arrived, I lifted the lid on the plate to find that there was chicken… and a huge plate of delicious looking deep fried French fries…

The problem? Just below the grilled chicken on the room service menu is chicken nuggets and fries.

What are the odds that these fries were cooked in their own fryer and that they were NOT cooked in the same oil as the chicken nuggets?

I had reason to believe that these fries were not ‘gluten free’ and were at high risk for cross contamination… but only one way to find out.

I called room service again and asked if the fries are cooked in the same oil as the chicken nuggets.

I was placed on hold.

When the gentleman came back, he told me that he didn’t think so.

I told him that wasn’t good enough because I would have a severe reaction and would be very sick and my vacation would come to an end.

He placed me on another hold.

When he came back he told me that the kitchen has no deep fryer and that everything is cooked together on the grill.

I double checked… these French fries are grilled French fries?

He assured me that yes, these French fries are in fact grilled.

As I observed my husband munching on these golden crispy *cough* grilled fries I called bullshit on the whoooooole situation and made one rule for myself. Never trust room service.

Kettle ramen for the win that night! It may be a simple meal, but it prevented the tears and disappointment that otherwise would have been overflowing.

Thank you Paradisus Palma Real

There will always be challenges when travelling gluten free. It becomes more nerve wracking when you’re not in control of your own food. I would definitely recommend this resort to anyone who is gluten free for a few reasons:

They do have allergy cards and this was so helpful.
The restaurants ask about allergies, and then the server consults with the chef. As a person with allergies you are given another server who literally takes care of your whole restaurant experience. I ate at the steak house, and also at the Dominican restaurant (Flora) and could not recommend either enough. (Flora was my favourite! There is a dish with cassava, so you feel like you’re having a full meal with starches included without any gluten)
I ate well and overall did feel very cared for.
I feel like best effort was put in to ensuring safety.
The resort itself was beautiful!

Pictures of some of my meals are below. Was it the endless variety, burger bars, French fries that everyone else enjoyed? Nope! But I was well fed, and honestly ate a very healthy diet throughout the week. Best of all, I was safe! Stay safe my friends, and never let the fear of gluten hold you back from experiencing all of the awesome this world has to offer!