Gluten Free At The 2012 Olympics Stratford

I'm not personally visiting the games but I still have an interest in what will be on offer for those who are visiting and on a gluten free diet. It's taken quite a bit of research but I finally have some information. There's quite a lot to get through, so here goes!

Aquatics Centre - "There’s a great variety of affordable food and drink available to buy inside the Aquatics Centre, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."


Basketball Arena - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside the Basketball Arena, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."


BMX Track - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside the BMX Track, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."

Are you seeing the same trend as I am? Let's see if we can actually get any real information.

Box Hill (out of London venue) - "Box Hill has a range of services and facilities, including food and drink stands, toilets , the Games Mobility service, plus the London 2012 Shop."

So not healthy and filling or tasty treats then?

City of Coventry Stadium (out of London venue) - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside City of Coventry Stadium, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."

Copper Box - "There’s a great variety of affordable food and drink available to buy inside the Copper Box, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."

I'm getting mad just writing this and I'm not even going!

Earls Court - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside Earls Court, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."

Excel - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside ExCeL, from healthy and filling meals to tasty treats."

Hampton Court Palace - "There’s a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside the venue."

I went to Hampton Court a couple of years ago, things may have changed but I had no gluten free food options.

I'm not going to bother carrying on listing the same drivel over and over, I've made my point. Thing is, all this 'information' is coming direct from the official london2012.com website and it's useless! On the Food Vision page it states "Find out more about food in venues and download sample menus." When you click the link it takes you to the venues page where you then have to click through to the venue, then to visitor information then you get the food and drink information I have quoted above, no more info and certainly no downloadable sample menus.

It's ridiculous!

On the food vision page they say: "In planning the menus, we have given consideration to people following gluten-free diets, vegetarians, people requiring halal or kosher food, and to feeding children."

But nothing to prove it.

One consolation is that you can take some food into the venues but no more than 100ml of drink and "One soft-sided bag is allowed per person – for example, a medium-sized handbag or small backpack (maximum 25 litres). The bag should be small enough to fit under your seat or on your lap. There is nowhere to store luggage."

You can refill your empty 100ml bottle with free water from fountains, whoopy do. I'd spend more time refilling than being a spectator because that amount of water would not keep me going for long!

I cannot find one example of there actually being any gluten free food available at any of the venues so you may want to make use of the limited bag space for taking your own. However:

"There are also restrictions on the size and use of some items inside the venue, including:

• Excessive amounts of food"

I have no idea what they consider to be excessive. Is stuffing your medium sized handbag or small backpack with gluten free food excessive? I have no idea. Obviously, as a visitor they don't want you taking your own food, they want you to buy their overpriced offerings. Check this out!

£3.80 for a Cheese and Lettuce Sandwich

£5.90 for a Tuna and Sweet Potato Salad

£6.50 for a Hog Roast Roll

£8.00 for a Beef Pie with Potatoes and Gravy

Aside of the salad, if cross contamination free and with no hidden gluten such a crotuons, that's not very gluten free friendly is it? Ok, so only 4 examples but you get the idea on price.

Another list doesn't contain prices but has meal examples:

Singapore noodles, chicken wings, pizza, penne pasta, and chicken burrito.

Again, I don't see much gluten free.

Will the worlds largest McDonalds capable of seating 1500 people be offering gluten free food? It's not likely is it?

Were I to be going to any of the 2012 Olympic events I would definitely be taking my own food. It's not only a matter of staying safe, it's also a case of being hungry if there's nothing on offer. That isn't going to make a fun day out. Being a coeliac isn't fun when we have to rely on others to feed us, so don't rely, stock up on gluten free Nakd Bars or your brand of choice. They won't take up much room and will provide you with much needed energy. At least you'll have something lovely to eat when you get hungry, they've helped me out countless times!

I'd love to know what gluten free food will be available and what the quality is like, if you have any information please leave me a comment.

Wonderful weekends to all and a bonus for us who have 4 days off! I'm taking a mini break, back Wednesday!