Traveling by car or plane can turn messy real quick for anyone with or without celiac disease. The planning, timelines, deadlines, expenses, etc. need to be well thought out prior to leaving for a trip. Add celiac disease on top of traveling and it’s an anxiety-driven day.
Traveling is by far one of the most complicated things to do with celiac disease. The last thing I want is to be dealing with celiac disease symptoms while traveling. Furthermore, I don’t want to aimlessly search a city or airport for safe, gluten-free food that will hold me over for the hours to come. It’s a disaster, to say the least. But, what it all comes down to is planning. Plan ahead of time. I myself *absolutely* need to plan ahead more often while traveling. Beyond that, there are a lot more traveling tips that can make your traveling easier.
Here are traveling tips for celiac disease patients:
Plan Ahead
As previously mentioned, celiac disease patients need to plan ahead for any trip or vacation. Without the correct amount of food, and without safe gluten free food, the trip will be long, dreadful, and tiring, which oftentimes leads to a grumpy, or hangry mood. We can’t just up and go for a spontaneous road trip across the state or country. We must plan ahead to ensure we enjoy ourselves and avoid getting sick from gluten contact. After all, food is a luxury and a privilege, and is often enjoyed while traveling and trying new spots.
Research
Research is so important for celiac disease patients. I can’t stress it enough. Fortunately, we have the internet to research places and restaurants ahead of time. Without the internet, it would be extremely difficult to travel. If you are traveling by car, Google map your destination and search gluten free places along the route. Utilize Google reviews and FindMeGlutenFree to discover how safe a restaurant is for celiacs. Call ahead of time to get an idea of how they handle food allergies and better understand the circumstances of the restaurant you are interested in.
If you are traveling by plane, research the airline you are traveling with and the gluten free food options they have once you are passed security. Research the gluten free snacks they offer on the plane and contact the airline if you are left without answers. I recently flew with JetBlue and enjoyed a gluten free sandwich from a small airport store, and gluten free snacks while on the plane. Some airlines have 0 gluten free options, while others have plenty.
Pack Your Own Food
Packing your own food may take a few extra minutes, however, I never regret it. Having snacks on hand while hungry is convenient in times when I can’t quickly locate a gluten free restaurant. I would much rather have a lot of food options or snacks, than not enough.
Again, this goes along with planning ahead. Create a list of snacks that most likely will not go bad during long car rides and trips. Make a trip to the store ahead of time and throw them in a bag and pack it in the car along with the rest of your belongings.
Here are a few gluten free food ideas that I have packed while traveling:
- Water (of course)
- Fruit (Pineapple, bananas, strawberries)
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cups (Pour in cold or warm water and enjoy)
- Gluten Free Chex
- The Good Crisp Potato Crisps
- Synders Gluten Free Pretzels
- Siete Gluten Free Chips
- Quinn Gluten Free Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
- Gluten Free KIND Bars
- Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn
If you are taking some sort of ice chest, throw in gluten free yogurt cups, sandwich meat, and gluten free bread. Take yout favorite toppings and condiments and put together a sandwich when you are hungry. Furthermore, you can make yourself an egg McMuffin with Glutino’s Gluten free English Muffins prior to leaving, wrap it in foil, and eat it on the go.
If you are traveling by plane, I recommend packing some of the above-mentioned snacks, and keeping the gluten free food products sealed and unopened. There is a 50/50 chance security will let you by with the unopened snacks. In some cases, if they inform you you must throw away your food items, explain to them that you have dietary restrictions. To take it a step further, get a note from your doctor and provide it to airport security if necessary.
Take Medicine
I always have some sort of medicine on hand while traveling in case of emergencies. Here is medicine to take on your trips while traveling:
Take a Food Journal
Buy a journal and dedicate it to jotting down the places you eat at, their location, and if you had a reaction from the food you ate. This will make it easier to remember if it is a safe gluten free restaurant for the next time you are traveling or if you ever plan on returning to that city. You might think you will remember, but there has been plenty of times I have found myself saying, “I don’t think I had a negative reaction to that restaurant.” This way you can quickly review your notes and either feel comfortable eating there again, or are reminded of the spots you should avoid.
Be Extra Cautious
The risky thing about traveling with celiac disease is, of course, getting glutened and getting sick and/or experiencing terrible celiac disease symptoms. Always be extra cautious with where you decide to eat, ask plenty of questions, do plenty of research, and only eat somewhere if you feel it is safe to do so.
You do not need to avoid traveling if you have celiac disease. If anything, aim to visit gluten free places you have always wanted to try and make a trip out of it. Pack your favorite gluten free snacks, and enjoy the ride celiac disease takes you on.
Traveling Tips for Celiacs
- Plan Ahead
- Research
- Pack Your Own Food
- Take Medicine
- Take a Food Journal
- Be Extra Cautious
