Traveling with Food Allergies
Food allergies can add anxiety and stress to trip planning. There are so many things to consider. How far will the nearest hospital be? How will I communicate my concerns? Will there be safe foods to eat? What should I pack to ensure safety and satiety? I have planned years worth of trips for my own family, with all of these questions in mind. Here are some of the strategies that I use to put my mind at ease, and make sure that my son is safe and satisfied.
I do look up the location of hospitals when traveling. I don’t stay right next to hospitals. That would be quite limiting. I do, however, take more and more precautions the further and further we are from “civilization” or medical care. When we were at the Grand Canyon or in the middle of the British Virgin Islands on a boat, we did not take any chances. As he has several severe allergies, he ate packaged foods that he has eaten many times before, and plain, unseasoned meats with no sauces. We were sure to have TWO SETS of Epipens, in the event of a reaction.
When we have stayed at resorts or hotels in cities, we are more likely to eat in restaurants that use his allergens, but UNDERSTAND cross contamination, and prevent it from happening. Some restaurants/chefs just get it, and want all of their customers to have a safe, enjoyable experience. You can find out pretty instantly with a quick phone call, which I always make ahead of our arrival. It can be disappointing and exhausting to sit down to a much anticipated meal to find that the environment is not safe. That simple phone call, and a note on your reservation, or a heads up to the chef that you’re coming, goes a long, long way.
When we travel to another country, we take extra precautions. We use GoogleTranslate, SnackSafely, or a person who speaks fluently, to draft up a couple of sentences about the allergies, in the language of that country. We are sure to use the words "severe", "unable to breathe", and "death". Some may think that’s too much, but I don’t want any subtle words to lose the translation of how important it is. In a remote beach town in Italy once, I had the owner of the apartment that we stayed in call the owner of her favorite restaurant to explain the severity of my son’s allergies. Not only did he enjoy a safe, scrumptious meal, but we were greeted like family, because a local called on our behalf. I have found that many places in and out of the US really have a very good handle on allergies, and will do their best to provide a safe, delicious meal that appeals to their customer. If they don’t “get it”, move on to the next place! There is no obligation to stay in an establishment that doesn’t feel safe for you and your family.
The same is true when choosing accomodations. Many people with food allergies opt to stay in a house or apartment where they can have a kitchen and do their own cooking. This is always a viable, safe, and cost effective method of travel. It’s also wonderful to go to local markets and sample their fresh foods and buy special local delicacies to cook. If you are interested in being pampered and leaving the chef’s apron at home, there are ways to ensure a safe visit. In planning our trip to Costa Rica, I called or emailed several hotels that I was interested in, and explained our circumstances. The hotels that responded and demonstrated an understanding, and desire to provide safe, enjoyable dining experience for my son, got our reservations. Search until you find the right place for your needs.
It’s important to know what foods are typical in the area that you are travelling. Find out what fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and meats will likely be available to you while you are there. Are they safe for you? If not, what alternates can you safely and legally bring along? For example, my son has a severe sesame allergy. Most people don’t realize that sesame is an ingredient in almost all bread products. Because we know that there are very, very few breads that he can safely eat, we always travel with hamburger bun and rolls in individual round Tupperware containers (so they don’t get squished in transit). That way, he can always have a burger, cold cuts, chicken breast, whatever, on that roll to feel like he’s getting a complete meal. He can order any sandwich in a restaurant, sans bun, and build his own sandwich. There are a vast amount of different allergies, and different things that people enjoy eating, so the trick is to figure out what will make YOU happy and satiated while away. Planning ahead is the key to success and enjoyment.
I am so very glad that we haven’t let severe food allergies get in the way of experiencing different cultures, geography, climates, and environments. Remember, you need food to survive and fuel your body. Whatever you can safely eat to sustain your energy on vacation is great! It may not be your “healthiest” few days, or most delicious, but you can cook perfectly and safely to your liking at home, every day. Don’t miss a chance to experience the big, beautiful world! Happy, safe travels!
Planning for enjoyable, allergy safe trips is one of our many services at www.myadventureconcierge.com. We can do the legwork and get you set up with a trip, customized for your needs. Pictured are some of the many meals my guy has enjoyed in Italy, Switzerland, and Costa Rica. We even took a cooking class in Italy! Now we can have a taste of Italy at home.
