Sanibel Offers Nice Options for Diet Restrictions

One of the nice things about Sanibel Island is that it not only offers the weary soul quietude, the inquiring mind stimulation, and the warm of heart so much to love in nature, it is a bountiful destination when it comes to food.

The island abounds with places to eat from fine dining to the quintessential "hot dog stand".

A couple seeking a romantic holiday, can find it in such sophisticated restaurants as The Thistle Lodge.

The whole family can have a fun night at The Lazy Flamingo on Sanitva where they can try their hand at the ring game.

And the solo cyclist can satiate an appetite and quench a thirst at the only "fast food" eatery on Sanibel, the nationally known and loved Dairy Queen.

But there are many who can not eat just anything and must restrict their intake to special foods.

Those seeking vegetarian menus can find selections in many, if not most, of the Island restaurants, and some, like the Blue Giraffe feature some lovely options such as portabello sandwiches and vegie burgers.

And vacationers who can not tolerate gluten or have celiac disease will find that most island restaurants understand the no wheat flour restriction and can guide them to acceptable choices on the menu. At least one restaurant, Matzaluna, not only offers the more typical and natural gluten free meals, they prepare gluten free Italian dishes to order. There are not many places in the entire country that can offer gluten free eggplant parmigiana at all, let alone one that can compete with traditional preparations.

Prefer to buy and cook your own?

Again, the two largest grocery stores on Sanibel, Jerry's and Bailey's, offer diet restricted foods in an amazingly satisfying variety. They carry gluten free, sugar free and lactose free products. And both stores also offer a nice variety of organic foods as well.

The number of options for those diet restricted as well as not on the Island of Sanibel is one of many reasons we call it paradise.