Don Wiss wrote: ...when I was in The Netherlands recently, and
I couldn't find any place to eat a gluten-free/casein-free lunch, I went
into a supermarket to buy food. The ham had lactose. I was hungry, and
there weren't other options, so I ate it anyway. On my next trip I will
take a pemmican muffin for each day I'll be there, plus an extra for the plane.

Don,

The next time you're planning a trip to the Netherlands, I can help with gluten-free/casein-free eating.  I've been living in the Netherlands for 7 years; I've been aware of my oldest daughter's milk allergy for about 3 years now (she's 4 1/2 and has a milk-allergic sister, 1 year old).  I'm afraid I don't know about avoiding gluten at restaurants and, actually, I'm not that well-versed in restaurants here.  I try to avoid eating out with my kids.  They're so small that it's a hassle to eat out anyway.  On top of that, it's just not worth the risk of allergen consumption.  But I do know a couple of good vegan places -- so at least you know the food is casein free and then you've just got to avoid the gluten.  I also know a couple of kosher deli's (ditto on the casein/gluten situation).  
 
I can tell you that the next time you want to buy your own food for brown-bag lunches, etc: DO NOT GO TO THE ALBERT HEIJN OR DIRK VAN DEN BROEK or any other regular supermarket -- they might have a couple of things for you, but finding them is like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you don't know the language.  You want to ask for the nearest NATUURVOEDINGWINKEL.  (Direct translation: nature food store -- that's whole food, organic food, biological food, health food -- whatever you're used to calling it.)  That's where you'll find meats without additives, rice milk, soy milk, soy cheeses and desserts, milk and gluten free breads and crackers, etc.  

If you are coming again soon and want more info, I'd be happy to provide it (such as translations of ingredients, etc.)  Just let me know. 

Cheryl