Gluten Free Travel Tips

As someone who is gluten sensitive, I’ve found it difficult to go out to eat or travel. I love to travel and do so often, so when I travel I must find ways to stick to my gluten free lifestyle. I hope these tips help you too! Gluten Free or not!

1. If you’re visiting family, remind them of your intolerance. You don’t want to have to turn down Aunt Gina’s amazing homemade pasta, but if family is informed, they can either prepare something else or take your special diet into consideration. Gotta love family for that!
2. Do your research before you go. If you are staying at a hotel, call ahead to see if they have a fridge in the room if you want to bring your own healthy snacks. Also check the internet or a phone app to scope out restaurants in the area that accommodate GF diets. Check local stores too!
3. Pack easy-to-carry items like trail mix, GF snack bars, dried fruit, GF crackers, or any small GF products you like. This way you can carry it in a bag (or purse for women) during an outing and it won’t take up too much room.
4. Pack nonperishable items for long trips. GF crackers or other snacks will come in handy during travel. Otherwise when you get to places you can buy fresh produce. I actually pack fruit and veggies into a small insulated bag with an icepack when I’m on a plane ride since I can’t eat the plane snacks.
5. In the airport look for yogurt, salad, fresh fruit, grilled chicken, fruit and nut mixes, and check for the rare chance of food places having GF options.
6. If you’re traveling abroad, get dining cards that outline your gluten free needs in the language of the country you will be in.
7. Even if you don’t see GF menu items or denotations on a menu, ask any way. You’d be surprised how accommodating places can be.
8. If you are doing food prep in your hotel don’t forget to pack a bowl, plastic wrap, sandwich bags, a spork (or any utensil you desire).
9. If you’re traveling by car, pack gluten free nonperishable items, but also pack a cooler of fruits and veggies.  You could also pack a loaf of gluten free bread , a nut butter, and a jelly. Don’t forget hand sanitizer, napkins, and a knife! Trail mix is a great energy enhancing option to consider.
10.  If you’re going on a cruise, find out ahead of time what the menu will typically be like, and if it isn’t too accommodating, ask if you can bring your own food aboard and if the room will have a fridge just in case. A week of eating salads could get boring, or look at it this way; you know you’ll look good that entire trip since you won’t be gaining any extra weight from eating bad!

One of the best parts about travel is trying new foods, but if you know how much your allergy will bother you, stick your routine and don’t be to shy to ask about changing something to suit your needs.

Not Gluten Sensitive but know someone who is? Please SHARE this!!