Do you like to explore new places, visit long distance relatives or friends? BUT, you are allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, gluten, and the list goes on. I would like to share 10 ideas to take the stress out of Traveling with Food Allergies and Food Intolerances.
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Do you like to camp? Healthy Meal Ideas for Camping Trips gives allergen-friendly suggestions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Traveling with food allergies has very legitimate concerns, especially if your allergy could be life-threatening. Sometimes you have no idea if the available food is something that your body can tolerate without getting sick. I have been in this very spot!
I personally have traveled with food limitations for over twenty-five years. One of my worst experiences was when I working on a schooner with delinquent teens. The teens were not the problem, just the promises of the company to work with my food allergies. When I reported to the galley before meals to see what options were available to me, the cook was not willing fix any extra food. I ended up eating ALOT of baked potatoes during my time on the schooner. Thankfully during my days off I was always able to locate the local health food store.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation?
10 Ideas to Implement for Traveling with Food Allergies
Implement these 10 ideas and you can have the peace of mind to travel without going hungry or getting sick!
- Be Prepared. Preparation is key to not having a flare-up or getting extremely sick. I have routine meals and road trip snacks that are prepared before we travel. The extra time and work required is worth it!
- Plan Ahead. Plan a menu for the days you will be away from home. The menu doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it will give you an idea of what food items to pack. I actually make myself a grocery list of items to purchase once we arrive at our destination.
- Call Ahead. Calling ahead of time to the place you plan on eating is important. When staying at hotel, call them to see what is available for their buffet breakfast.
- Bring your medicine. Packing your medicine should be at the top of your list. It is always wise to have oral anti-histamines, digestive aids, and epi-pens on hand when you leave the home. I have to remind myself to make sure they are all current and not expired as well.
- Pack more food than you anticipate needing. It is easier to pack plenty of non-perishable food. It would be better to come home with extra than to worry about finding food you can eat while on the road.
- Relax when possible. I laugh at my own suggestion! It is necessary to remind myself, that I am prepared and now I can relax and enjoy the trip.
- Download helpful apps to your phone. Another plus for traveling with a phone. Spokin app includes summer camps, restaurants, hotels, etc. , AllergyEats is great for restaurant dining. Allergy Food Translator is a must for international travel.
- Know the difference between “must NOT eat” and “will not eat”.
- Do your homework. The internet is wonderful for locating restaurants and grocery stores in the area that you’ll be visiting. I like to write down the addresses of local health food stores on our travel route as well as in the area we’ll be camping or visiting.
- Communicate. It seems everything comes down to excellent communication. Wherever you plan a visit, communicate with your family and friends. My daughter has a tree nut allergy, and after fourteen years, I still need to remind people that almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc classify as a tree nut. She would prefer they did not eat any nuts while she is visiting them, no matter how careful everyone tries to be with their food.
Packing Non-perishables
It can be stressful to rely on your local grocery store to carry all the non-perishable items you would like to pack.
Reusable Storage: Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, Sandwich Bag, Snack Bag and 1/2 Gallon Bag, Sous vide Bag, Storage Bag, Clear
My favorite online health food store is Thrive Market. I like the excellent prices AND that it’s delivered right to my door, no store hopping! Read more about how to Save Money through Thrive Market here.
One question that I get asked often, “what do you pack when you travel?”
Keep in mind, that we are a tree-nut free, corn-free, & gluten-free family. We also try to the keep the sugars low while traveling, with an added emphasis on nutrient density. Thrive Market has many great non-perishable snacks that contain nuts, they are just not for us. One product I can think of is Simple Mills Fine Ground Sea Salt Crackers.
Available Items online at Thrive Market
- Epic Jerky – venison steak bites, bison bacon chia bites, & maple glazed/smoked salmon, traditional beef jerky
- Safe Catch or Wild Planet canned tuna fish
- Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast canned
- Plantain chips – Thrive brand and Terra brand
- Rhythm Beet Chips
- Rhythm Carrot Sticks
- Nature’s Freeze dried fruit – raspberries, tropical, blueberries, bananas, strawberries
- Eating Evolved Coconut Cups – original, mint, caramel
- Yum Butter Sunflower seed butter
- Barnana Chocolate Chewy Bites
- Go Raw Cacao Coconut Crisps
- Thrive or Nuco Coconut wraps
- Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola
- Enjoy Life Seed Mix packets
- Traditional Medicinal Chamomile and Lavender Tea
- Lily’s hummus – individual containers
Reusable Storage Bags
I have only used Stasher brand bags. We have taken them camping, hiking, and day trips. My daughters packed their lunches for college in them every day. They seal up nicely and wash/dry easily too.
- Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, Sandwich Bag and Snack Bag, Storage Bag, Aqua Blue
- Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, Sandwich Bag and Snack Bag, Storage Bag, Clear
- Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, Sandwich Bag, Snack Bag and 1/2 Gallon Bag, Sous vide Bag, Storage Bag, Clear
Prepare Fruit & Vegetables
When we travel by vehicle I like to have fresh vegetables all ready to eat. It’s great to have the vegetables washed and sliced. By placing them in a plastic freezer bag with a piece of paper towel, the vegetables will last approximately 7-10 days. Apples and pears can be pre-washed and packed the same way. I do not pre-cut cucumber. I wash it and pack a small paring knife.
Packing fresh fruit and vegetables on your next flight, should be easy. When you have an item you want to stay cool, I place a small ice pack in the bag with the item.
Traveling with Food Allergies Made Easier
Do you want examples of the food we prepare and pack?? Omelet Breakfast Muffins have become a first day of travel tradition. We make sausage & cheese omelet muffins, spinach & bacon omelet muffins & for my husband, he likes sausage, bacon, and cheese with lots of freshly ground pepper.
Coconut wraps are a travel staple. They pack easily in your suitcase or in your RV pantry. (Remember they do NOT like to be refrigerated.) What goes in a our wraps depends on personal preference.
Types of protein we have “thrown” in our wraps: sliced organic black forest ham, organic smoked turkey slices, grilled chicken, tuna fish, grilled swordfish, canned organic chicken, or home-canned venison. I pack pre-washed lettuce, micro-greens, sprouts, slices of raw cheddar cheese, and pre-washed vegetables. My husband often likes to add barbecue sauce to his wrap.
Traveling locally? Pack a portable grill! We pack a small cooler with organic hot dogs, kielbasa, and even venison burgers for an afternoon at the beach or week long camping trip.
Take the Challenge
I have been in your shoes; it is difficult to navigate eating without inadvertently consuming something that will upset your stomach. When it happens one too many times, you want to avoid traveling and eating outside the home. However, it is possible when you implement the 10 ideas mentioned above.
The challenge is to travel and stay healthy! No more sickness, upset stomach, hives, and hunger.
A couple key points to remember is to Call Ahead to restaurants, health food stores and even your family. Take the time to Plan Ahead and Be Prepared, it is worth the extra effort! Please always Pack your Medicine just in case, even if you haven’t used it in years.
Two ideas that I have learned is to Pack More Than I Need in non-perishable items and remind myself, Relax and enjoy the travel.
Was this list helpful?
I hope you will take the challenge and visit friends and family, explore your state, or travel abroad if you desire.
It would be so fun to hear from you and the places you like to travel.
Pursing Better Health Together,
Nutritious Snacks for Travel offers another resource of how to pack snacks for day trips or extended travel.
Liz says
Great tips Michelle! I’ve only traveled once since I started my food allergy journey. It wasn’t horrible but wasn’t a rousing success either. I have learned a lot about myself, my tolerance, and my allergies since then. I’m looking forward to planning our next trip now and will be sure to use your tips. Thank you!
Liz
PS~Don’t laugh at reminding yourself that you have it handled and can relax now. I have to do that ALL the time, LOL! 🙂