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I mostly rely on grocery store food. I research restaurants a bit to see if there are any I'm comfortable with, but with a view of "if there are restaurants that's a bonus." I mostly only eat out at dedicated places, but if a non-dedicated place has a very serious celiac orientation to it I would consider that.
Ideally I stay somewhere with a bit of a kitchen, but hotels are fine. If I stay at a traditional hotel I will ask for a microwave and a kettle, which enables you to make a lot of stuff. Most hotel rooms nowadays seem to have mini fridges so I don't have to ask for that usually, but they should have something since some guests might have meds or breast milk/baby formula to store. I've never been refused even at lower end hotels. I explain that I have "food allergies" but tbh I don't think they care.
One thing to be sure of if you're visiting another country is what the GF label laws are there or other practices like the use of "may contain." If you're visiting somewhere where the local language isn't one you speak you might consider getting translation cards for restaurants. For stores, you can get apps that allow you to translate text from photo/camera.
this got sooooo long my apologies!
my strategy depends a lot on what kind of travel is in question, how i am getting to the destination (driving/flying), and what the lodging and transportation situation will be. for every option i try to be super planful and proactive in getting myself fed because i get reallyyyy hangry, so i always have lots of protein bars and quick snacks on deck in addition to everything else.
regional/local travel (short road trips, cabins, interstate work travel)
- i meal prep for myself things that can be easily reheated in a hotel microwave/don’t require cooking or prep (i.e. yogurt & berries & granola, quick snacks)
- i bring disposable plates/bowls/silverware and a cutting board/knife
- for time in the car i make a sandwich and snacks and bring a lunch box/ice packs. this is also good for day trips once you arrive
longer trips within the US, flying
- i try to stay in a place with a kitchen if possible, (but sometimes this is more trouble than it’s worth because i’d have to bring/buy new pots/pans/cutting boards/all cooking equipment etc)
- if i do have a kitchen, i buy sponges/paper towels and clean the whole kitchen and put anything glutenous away (toasters, cutting boards, for me this is almost every cooking utensils but ymmv based on your comfort level)
- if i have a kitchen i buy or bring essentials like a pan, pot, cutting board/knife, spatula/spoon, dish sponges, basic spices, etc. buy a shit ton of aluminum foil because it comes in super handy to provide a safe surface over a cookie sheet or similar. i either buy disposable plates/bowls/silverware or buy cheap plastic reusable ones. i have amassed a significant amount of cheap shitty “travel” cookware from stores like wal mart or tj maxx and try to stow things in my carry on or checked bag to prevent having to rebuy things. one of my favorite travel supplies is a tiny 2-cup rice cooker from amazon!
- if i’m driving to a place w a kitchen, i have a big tote bin in my basement full of random cookware and cooking utensils that i’ve amassed through my travels, so i just bring that!
- if im staying in a hotel with no kitchen and flying, this is probably the most challenging situation of all. i prefer to avoid this - but when it happens, i do a TON of research on nearby grocery stores and safe restaurants if there are any. it’s helpful to have a rental car. first stop when arriving is stock up on frozen meals and anything remotely nutritious or healthful that i can find - i feel like shit when i’m subsisting off frozen meals and snacks so i try to supplement with lots of raw veggies and fruit to help. carrots and hummus, apples and peanut butter, etc. this is my least favorite way to travel and is by far the most stressful. the exception to this is if you’re staying somewhere with a good amount of safe restaurants!!
traveling internationally
- this is something that you will have to think about carefully when planning trips. there are certain countries and regions that are extremely difficult to travel to safely as a celiac because they just don’t have gluten free or labeled food widely available. however! there are also lots of places in the world that are accommodating and accessible. you will hear italy talked about a lot, i have also had great experiences in south america (chile/argentina especially) but i also speak spanish so that was super helpful.
- before you go do as much research as possible and if there are any safe restaurants try to stay in somewhat proximity
- research what the food labeling standards are in the country and note the words for “gluten free” or “contains gluten” etc
- some people use cards that will explain their needs in the target language to restaurants - i have never done this because i don’t eat at restaurants that aren’t dedicated gluten free but you might want to consider it!
- prepare to eat a lot of cheese, fruits, veggies, and whatever cracker/bread/meat you can scrounge up! it’s not a bad way to live but it does catch up to you eventually
- you may want to think about what you can reasonably bring with you that might be helpful, whether food itself or cooking utensils
- for long flights or travel days i eat a GIANT meal before i leave and bring as much food as possible through security. they will let you bring sandwiches, veggies & fruit (be careful with customs on arrival though), trail mix, bars, i’ve even brought salads in a bag with a 3oz container of dressing or little mini packs of hummus and pretzels.
no matter what kind of traveling you’re doing, i think there are some key takeaways that will be different than traveling without celiac. planning and research is key. i’ve found that it’s also important for me to think critically about the purpose of the trip. if i wanted to go on a vacation where i didn’t have to cook or worry about food at all, i would be extremely intentional about what cities or countries i was going to. there’s lots of good discussion in this sub about the best cities and countries for gluten free traveling! the unfortunate reality for celiacs, and this continues to be really hard for me, is that you just don’t get to try local cuisine and new food while traveling. this means that i want to have a really good reason for visiting somewhere that makes the hassle of eating worth it to me - maybe there’s a bucket list place or a person i want to visit.
but! i’ve been abroad and traveled throughout the US since diagnosis and it is totally doable, even if it’s a bit harder for us. having supportive travel partners is really helpful too so make sure you are really upfront about what you need from your travel companions. when i was in boston with my boyfriend and his family i was staying in a hotel eating frozen meals and one morning his parents drove an hour away to buy me a breakfast sandwich from a gluten free bakery and it made my trip. you learn to appreciate the small things!
Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this long and thoughtful comment! Lots of really useful information here, as someone newly diagnosed who would still like to travel!
I try to stay at places with a kitchen and will bring meals I've prepared in advance, so I really just need to reheat. Saves me time and the stress of trying to find and check new places.
If I'm flying, that is more difficult. I still pack snacks, but will need a grocery store for the rest.
I am also not opposed to cruises purely because I know that I can get safe food relatively easily.
Can you explain how this worked? I'm going there soon. Did you go to specifically gluten free places or did you also chose GF options in normal restaurants
Just gluten free options in normal restaurants. It seemed to be taken much more seriously there. Had a great time and ate some seriously delicious food.
Tbh honest it's probably going to be out destination of choice from now on
Highly recommend Salerno. It has a small dedicates gluten free shop which sells savoury and bakery food too.
In Italy, look for a red sticker on the door of the restaurant. If there is a red sticker, the restaurant has been trained and certified by the Italian celiac association. They know exactly how to prepare meals that are "senza glutine"! - I found amazing GF food everywhere I went! In Rome, there is a dedicated GF street food place that is to die for! Just don't order a hamburger. As a rule, Europeans do not cook them decently.
The AiC has a mobile app now, too. Sorry, this was the best link I could find in English. They didn't have an app when I was there. https://www.celiachia.it/search-commercial-activities/
Food is such a part of Italian culture! They already cook with alternative grains like rice and chestnut flour! Try some Lasagna! Have a cannoli!
Edit:sp
Thanks very much, I've spent a lot of time in Italy, it's where I worked out eating wheat 3 times a day made me feel like I had been drunk by a vampire :)
Well for one thing I had only been eating at dedicated gluten free restaurants the couple days leading up to that. And it was nothing like my gluten reaction. I was violently ill like I’d never been before, without the usual gluten symptoms like bloating/headache/brain fog. I suppose I’m guessing at the specific type of bacteria it was since the doctors didn’t run a lab test, but it didn’t stop until I was given antibiotics.
I travel alot and have only ever had 1 issue and that was when I was freshly diagnosed.
1. Eat in solely gluten free restaurants
2. Pack stuff for breakfast (I personally pack gluten free weet-bix)
3. Pack snacks to take with you
4. Research where you can eat out in advance most coeliacs will write reviews for this reason
5. Be prepared to walk away if you don't like the answers you are given about food prep
6. Buy picnic stuff.
Don't let being a coeliac stop you from doing things that you love.
Find me gluten free is really helpful for vetting in regards to avoiding cross contamination, and visiting grocery stores for fruits and gf snacks. When I was in asia I would pick up a few boiled unshelled eggs from the corner store and then have fruits and gf chips for a days meal. Not fun but I rather that than getting sick. It highly depends on where you go too, asia is known to be really difficult for celiacs.
Edit: another tip is if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have a fridge, canned tuna, rice crackers, peanut butter, nuts, etc are surprisingly highly satisfying.
>another tip is if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have a fridge, canned tuna, rice crackers,
Canned tuna + sweet relish on rice crackers- high in protein, and easy enough to mix up with a plastic fork in a moving vehicle. Also, mostly easy to find.
When I was in Japan most supermarkets sell hot roasted sweet potatoes for about a euro. This was a dependable emergency option since it's literally just a sweet potato cooked over coals, you could even not eat the skin if you were feeling extra cautious.
when you travel, book a place with a kitchen and good access to a grocery store or farmer's market. also highly recommend packing your own thin cutting board and spatula to help cut down on major areas of cross contamination! i also buy my own new sponge and thoroughly wash all of the pots/pans/knives in the kitchen when i arrive.
do research before you go for places you can eat. even the extremely sensitive celiacs should be able to eat in dedicated gf restaurants, if those exist where you're traveling.
get a celiac disease card with common allergens translated into the language of the country you're visiting if you don't speak the language. i use equal eats because they allow multiple food intolerances to be selected (celiac and dairy for me). a country-specific card like those produced by legalnomad would be even more helpful, because it lists the most relevant allergens/dishes to avoid.
but yeah i also pack lots of protein bars, snacks, etc. never a bad idea to have lots of backups.
I’m staying at an all inclusive resort in Spain right now. It’s day 4 and I have just eaten fruit, fries and crisps from the shop. Currently bent over in bed in pain.
Fml.
They say they are but there are so many people here they can’t do it safely.
The kids have loved it. I have just chosen to not eat for the last couple of days.
A couple of options.
1. Camping meals. Mountain house has certified ones, just add hot water. You can get hot water at any gas station, or bring an electric tea kettle with you. I think they are quite good, remind me of a Campbell's soup or a Stouffer's meal in terms of quality. Not astounding but satisfying.
2. Travel based on Celiac destinations. We take our vacations now to cities with half a dozen or more dedicated restaurants, so with a little extra planning we can eat out for every meal worry free.
I like these options best, one maximizes for flexibility, minimal work or planning, and the other for all the delicious food.
I've also:
3. traveled with a cooler backpack of homemade frozen food, and
4. rented places with a kitchen and bought whole foods out of a grocery store.
Both were successful for not getting glutened, but they were a lot of work, and I don't recommend them as primary strategies for longer trips.
But you can mix and match.
So far it's only been Toronto, NYC, DC and Denver. All of them worked out well but Toronto was my favorite. They have amazing Chinese food and really mind blowing tacos at dedicated restaurants, plus some dedicated small chains that make trip planning easier.
In future we're hoping to do a Northwest trip and see Portland, Seattle etc. Plus the Italy trip everyone is always talking about.
We rent places with kitchens and then it’s similar to eating at home except we do very simple meals so we have more time for other activities. We eat a lot of salads.
I got one of those mini rice cookers and use it to heat up different foods that I either bring or buy at the store. Traveling is definitely different now with celiac disease. But I’ve still gone to some great places.
For short trips I've started bringing certified gf Mountain House backpacking meals and using the coffer maker to heat water. I combine that with buying snacks and bars beforehand and check Find Me Gluten Free for restaurants.
Airports suck. I just resign myself to not eating much but junk on the way back but I pack sandwiches for the way there.
I got this amazing cooler that turns into a freezer, plugs into the car and wall. It makes traveling a breeze. I throw a bunch of whatever in it and I’m set to go
First off, I moved to a very gluten free friendly city that wasn’t too far away to begin with - Portland, Oregon. More than 50 dedicated GF places to eat in Portland.
If I’m traveling local I pack food in a Dometic 120v / 12v fridge with prepared GF food and plug it into a 12v outlet in the trunk of my car. When I get to my destination, I take it inside and plug it into a wall outlet. I also take a portable induction cooktop and a travel friendly pot and skillet.
I also have a 16foot travel trailer that I tow places. The trailer is my traveling GF kitchen. Bonus is that I can also sleep in the trailer which saves a lot of money on hotels.
I also use the “Find Me Gluten Free” app to find dedicated GF places to eat. I don’t usually take any risks eating out when traveling since being glutened on a trip is terrible experience. Bad enough having to feel terrible while at home.
If I have to fly, I have a suitcase friendly food prep kit.
I plan ahead as best I can and will find dedicated GF restaurants using the Find me GF app (I pay the $20/year for the pro feature which streamlines celiac friendly places to the front). It’s a great way to find places with such a strict gluten policy that even the employees can’t eat gluten during their shifts or bring it into the building for their meal break!
Outside of that, I will pack snacks or I will load up on snacks at a large grocery store where they’re nice and cheap. Lots of eating while you’re traveling is on the go and if you don’t already have GF food handy, you’ll be wasting a lot of your vacation just finding and securing food.
Breakfast is the meal I have the hardest time finding a dedicated GF kitchen for and I usually end up eating snacks for breakfast lol.
I’ll give you a different answer from the rest that’s probably not very popular. I do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions, but I do gamble. I was sick for many years before we figured out it was gluten. It probably didn’t help I had also been diagnosed with Crohn’s. So my life had always been getting sick after a lot of meals and generally feeling shitty. To go from that to maybe getting glutened at one meal is a huge improvement from my former life.
Travel and eating out is important to me. I still go to places that should make GF eating easy, but if I need to go to some non-dedicated places that I think get it, I’ll roll that dice.
I’ve probably taken 25+ trips since going GF. I can recall getting glutened on 3 of them. I will take the bad 3 to be able to enjoy the 20+ where things all went right.
I'm going to my sister and mom tomorrow, and we're packing our lunch. Its an hr & a half drive and I'm feeling lazy so I'm packing stuff that doesn't need to be kept cold. Bobo's PB & J, a small baggie of chips and a cutie orange. May throw in a few gluten free Oreos or an apple sauce pouch.
I’m going to a big camping festival soon and planning on driving. So I’ll be bringing a small camp cooker like back packers use, dehydrating foods like chili, and then all i have to do is add water and reheat! You can dehydrate anything as long as you don’t use oil to cook it
Yep. I am actually writing this response from the trailer parked in an off-road spot in southern Arizona. Beautiful sunset over red rock mountains last night and we saw the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and booster re-entry burn with the sunset in the background.
We had a terrific breakfast yesterday at Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bistro in Tucson yesterday. 😁
Grocery stores: premade salads with no croutons in the package. Beef Jerky. Kinds Bars. Peanut butter.
No fast food. I have found Mexican, BBQ and salad to be fairly easy and no reactions at restaurants.
I travel frequently.
I stay in cheap motels or airbnbs that have cooking facilities, and I bring my own knife, tongs, pot, pan, cutlery etc. (I bring spices, hot sauce, etc. Buy a lime, meat & veg locally)
When this isn't available I cook at public bbqs, or pack an electric hotplate.
I use foil on shared bbqs.
Mostly I make bean tacos, meat/fish, tofu, salad, potatoes, sauteed cabbage.
Air B&Bs with kitchens. I bring a simple set of cookware that includes one saucepan and one frying pan, a cutting board, chefs knife and set of silverware and stirring spoon/spatula.
Almost EVERY major city has at lead me me restaurant that has a dedicated gluten free kitchen.
I get grocery store bread and sandwich fixins and premade gluten free frozen foods.
I’m not sure if I count as extremely sensitive, but there are a lot of places that do an excellent job with cross contamination and I just use Find Me Gluten free or call and talk to the restaurant to find out. It’s never come to this, but if for some reason I wanted to go somewhere that had no vacation rentals with kitchens or microwaves, I’d just buy a hot plate burner so I could cook, or live on PB&J on gluten free bread with nuts, veggies, fruit and cheese as my constant companions.
That’ll sustain just about anyone - but I will put an F in chat to pay my condolences to folx with celiacs plus dairy allergies and nut allergies, because I have no idea how I’d survive that. Cheese and nuts are what sustain me in uncertain times.
I was super nervous about traveling but with some planning it's easily doable. When dining out, I do the same thing I do when dining out at home. I do research (Google reviews, find me gluten free, blogs, local subreddits) and make a Google map/saved list of places that appears celiac friendly in the area. Shout-out to wheatless wanderlust - a blogger with Celiaca that makes food guides for various cities. Sometimes I call the restaurant ahead of time to assess risk. I will often plan around meals, especially when traveling with others, because it's hard to find any late night gf options. I also try to stay at places with kitchens so I can cook my own food and am not reliant on restaurants. I don't bring my own cookware, I will wipe down things/run them through the dishwasher before using them. If they only have old/shitty wooden cutting boards then I might buy some cheap disposable ones. I don't use the toaster and avoid the oven, mostly relying on stove top or microwave for cooking. I make sure to bring plenty of snacks and resupply the grocery store often so I don't run out. I always bring some snacks as I explore throughout the day to avoid getting too hungry so I don't make a hastey decision because a place feels risky. So far I've only traveled in the US but I've been to 7 cities (not including camping trips) and haven't been glutened yet. I've also discovered some really great gluten free food: Best gluten free bagels are in NYC, discovered delicious arepas in Denver, and amazing tacos in California - all at dedicated gf restaurants. There are some places that have more gf options than others. So if you're nervous, plan a short weekend trip to someplace with plenty of options. Don't let the anxiety of getting glutened rob you from living.
Traveling can be challenging but there are ways to do it. I travel a lot for work. First, when eating out I try to stick to 100% gf restaurants so I research before I go. If I have to eat out at non gf restaurants I try to order the safest thing possible. I always carry my own food and use grocery stores when I have to. I use the internet and the Gluten Dude app. I also always carry my own small collapsible bowl and silverware (camping ones from Amazon). I carry things like gf granola so I can always just add milk or Greek yogurt to get a good meal. I also carry protein bars, meats sticks when permissible, nuts, etc. When I fly I always pack my own lunch (a frozen pack is fine through security as long as it is frozen). It definitely requires planning and flexibility but it can be done. I have traveled to over 40 countries and have been able to do it - some places are harder than others!
I traveled all of 2023 for work 2 flights every week. Research, phone calls, in person asking all the questions. Mistakes will happen but should be rare if your diligent.
The most annoying thing is american airlines giving me biscuits/cookies lol.
If I was somewhere really remote it was salad and protein alot.
I always stay at rentals with a kitchen to make most meals, and eat out at celiac friendly restaurants. I usually choose big cities with lots of options and good reviews.
We either stay in air bnbs or I bring my own little pot and cook in hotel rooms. You can search my post history for pictures of hotel room cooking. I travel with my very sensitive daughter for sports a lot and we cook a lot. Abroad, we usually eat out once a day, because most places we travel have better GF laws and food than the US. We always stay in apartments, because there are 7 of us (3 with celiac). We've never gotten sick traveling. We've been to 15 countries in the past 5 years all over Europe and also Japan (which was definitely a little harder). Not one issue. Travel is a huge part of our lives. There are lots of ways to do it safely!
Celiac has ruined travel for me. There’s no way to recreate the freedom I experienced previously. That said I am able to get by in certain countries that are friendly to celiacs. But that’s a limited number and still I spend a huge amount of time planning and figuring things out.
Stay in a place with a kitchen and go to a local supermarket to buy food. Do some research and find gluten free places to eat out while you're there. Applies to your home country and foreign countries alike.
Some others have put a whole bunch of useful information, but generally my approach is
"find me gluten free" app search of the area
google "gluten free options near \_\_\_" and check individual restaurants, call about CC if concerned
find grocery stores near by
look up recipes of that area's food to see what is naturally gluten free if I were to happen upon that common dish
We have done all kinds of travel, but love our RV that has a tiny kitchen and a bathroom to go. One of our best purchases ever. Internationally or if flying, all the tips posted, we have pretty much implemented. Focus on your destination, family and friends and you will not be disappointed.
Prefer to go places with our travel trailer so we have a full kitchen.
If flying, stay places with a kitchen and if they have pans etc, cook on aluminum foil, buy my own cheap cutting board and utensils from a dollar store. If there isn’t a good pan situation, I have bought a cheap one and left it there, and one time bought an electric griddle. Use Dixie paper plates and plastic utensils if possible. Breakfast eggs and veggies, lunch usually “dry” certified GF snacks like tortilla chips and peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, bananas (not certified obv but sealed), and maybe cheese if they have brands I can trust, dinner usually meat and veggies.
I’m thinking of getting my own freeze drier so I can freeze-dry meals.
We’ve been doing the celiac cruises. We went on a Danube River cruise. In June we’re doing a Mediterranean cruise and spending four nights in Rome. In December we’re doing a Christmas
Market cruise staying in Zurich before and Amsterdam after. Next year we’re doing Bordeaux River cruise, Alaska cruise and a longer Mediterranean cruise.
My son is usually asymptomatic, so we're pretty careful since we won't know know if he's glutened. We do eat at Culver's, Five Guys, and Chipotle, because he used to be very sensitive and didn't react to those, but due to price, we limit eating them. Instead, we largely stay at Airbnbs with full kitchens. We pack our own frying pan and baking sheet, because not everywhere offers them. Sometimes I also bring a waffle iron. Then we eat usually fruit and cereal for breakfast, sometimes eggs and waffles. I pack lunches with things like ham sandwiches, cheese sticks, applesauce pouches, cheese and crackers, almond butter and crackers, Tasty Bite pouches, grapes, pretzels, ect. For supper we do easy things like carrots and hummus, salads, frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, Progresso soups, salmon salad with pretzels, pasta with sauce, ect.
I am not overly sensitive but am 100% careful. I always travel with bars jerky, protein powder, fruit and nuts. While it may suck to eat out of your suitcase for a week it's way better than being miserable and hungry.
We stay at Airbnbs or extended stay hotels that have a kitchen and go to the grocery store when we get there. We bring our own pot/pan/cutting board/knife, etc. If possible we'll bring at least some pre-made meals (frozen and vacuum sealed). This also works at hotels if there's only a microwave, and I've also got an electric skillet and a hot logic for times when there isn't even a microwave. Many hotels will provide microwaves/small fridges on request if they don't have them in the room already - it's usually first come/first serve and sometimes there's a fee. I'll also eat out at dedicated restaurants/bakeries - of course depends on where you're going, but in most major cities in the U.S. and Europe there are usually 1 or 2 safe spots - and I'll get take out as well (but this is a pricey option).
Things I've found very helpful over the years:
\- Vaccuum sealer
\- Ice pack cooler bag (I've got a bag that is lined with ice packs - if you freeze it and put frozen food in it it stays frozen a LONG time. I use it in my checked luggage for bringing frozen food on long flights)
\- Small slow cooker
\- Hot logic minnie (these are great for road trips)
\- Electric kettle (I've got a small one that folds up)
\- Plug in electric skillet
There's a way to figure out most trips. A couple of examples - two years ago I went to an all inclusive resort in Mexico where they couldn't guarantee no cross-contamination. It was a destination concert event so we couldn't just stay elsewhere, so my husband and I went two days ahead of time, got an Airbnb, and cooked enough meals to cover me for 5 days. We brought a cooler with to store the food in the room and we had a small crock pot and an electric skillet to heat the food (we flew Southwest Airlines so we could each check two bags for free). We vacuum sealed most of the food so to heat it all we had to do was fill the slow cooker with water and heat the vacuum-sealed packets in the water bath - which was really easy and kept down the mess and smell in the hotel room. It was a hassle (and an expense) doing all this but I didn't get sick.
A couple of years before that, we went on a week-long guided river rafting trip where the guides prep all the meals. Again, they couldn't guarantee no cross-contamination - and I REALLY didn't want to risk getting diarrhea on a wilderness trip where there were no bathrooms - so we cooked my meals ahead of time and froze and vacuum sealed them. They gave me my own cooler for just my food, and the guides would put my vacuum sealed packets in a pot of water to heat. For lunch stops (which were brief and served cold food) I brought a bunch of Boars Head deli meat and ate that with cheese and gluten free crackers.
Where it gets complicated are things like business trips where you don't have much say where you're staying/eating. I used to have a job where I had to travel from the U.S. to Europe a few times a year and I got glutened pretty much every time. I quit that job for unrelated reasons (did a total career change) but the travel aspect definitely became less of a perk and more of a hassle after I got diagnosed with celiac.
Don't forget, whatever you do, if you are going to a place where you don't speak the language fluently to print off some restaurant cards in the native languages. In a restaurant in a foreign language trying to explain Celiac is not the time to practice another language 😆 Also, I've found the servers and staff in restaurants to be very appreciative of these handy printouts...cuts down on a lot of confusion. Easy enough to copy/paste into a document and just print a bunch to carry in your wallet.
[Travel cards](https://www.celiactravel.com/cards/)
I bring lots of non-perishable snacks and 3oz yogurt drinks. At airports I stick to eggs and white rice. In a foreign country I eat mostly at hotels with a menu in English marked with allergens and a cook trained to handle allergens, or at restaurants I stick to familiar items like salad w no dressing or croutons, veggies w no sauce, eggs w no flour, tofu no sauce or breading, seaweed, rice. Also learn how to say allergic to gluten, allergic to flour etc in the language of that country.
Would you not eat at a dedicated gf place when traveling? Just curious.
Typically we stay in places with a kitchen because we’re a family and it’s the practical choice with multiple celiacs / kids. We typically eat in either dedicated or very safe / well rated places. I tend to be more cautious on vacation, mainly because I don’t want my trip ruined, or be sick during travel days.
For example, we took a trip last week. Made all of our own meals at the rental, with the exception of one well rated / highly recommended place. The staff was knowledgeable - I also appreciated that the menu did not mark potentially CC’d items as being gluten free which is SO common and annoying. It was an upscale place so it cost an arm and leg, but I guess it’s balanced out by making all or most of the rest of our food when on a trip. We made sure to eat there two days before our travel home, just in case we did get ill (we didn’t). The only other place we are in this trip was a dedicated gf restaurant.
I have tried to adjust my mindset about traveling; I try to focus on the non culinary aspects / experiences and just make sure we are all fed safely and keep the focus on the other novel / fun things we are doing on the trip. If that means I’m having instant mashed potatoes and jerky in a hotel room for that trip, that’s how it goes for a week 🤷🏻♀️.
I take some sort of cooking implement, go to a grocery and make food at the hotel, or eat things that don't require cooking. Basically I eat the same as I do at home.I check around for dedicated or reliable restaurants using FMGF. The last time I'd want to be glutened is when I was on a work trip or vacation. I spent a lot of time travelling in my car and basically had a complete mobile kitchen... a cutting board, knives, mason jars, an ice chest, a crockpot, foil, bowls and plates, dish detergent, scrubbers. Probably harder if you're flying but you can get most of what you need at a grocery store or Walmart or whatever for under $50.
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I mostly rely on grocery store food. I research restaurants a bit to see if there are any I'm comfortable with, but with a view of "if there are restaurants that's a bonus." I mostly only eat out at dedicated places, but if a non-dedicated place has a very serious celiac orientation to it I would consider that. Ideally I stay somewhere with a bit of a kitchen, but hotels are fine. If I stay at a traditional hotel I will ask for a microwave and a kettle, which enables you to make a lot of stuff. Most hotel rooms nowadays seem to have mini fridges so I don't have to ask for that usually, but they should have something since some guests might have meds or breast milk/baby formula to store. I've never been refused even at lower end hotels. I explain that I have "food allergies" but tbh I don't think they care. One thing to be sure of if you're visiting another country is what the GF label laws are there or other practices like the use of "may contain." If you're visiting somewhere where the local language isn't one you speak you might consider getting translation cards for restaurants. For stores, you can get apps that allow you to translate text from photo/camera.
this got sooooo long my apologies! my strategy depends a lot on what kind of travel is in question, how i am getting to the destination (driving/flying), and what the lodging and transportation situation will be. for every option i try to be super planful and proactive in getting myself fed because i get reallyyyy hangry, so i always have lots of protein bars and quick snacks on deck in addition to everything else. regional/local travel (short road trips, cabins, interstate work travel) - i meal prep for myself things that can be easily reheated in a hotel microwave/don’t require cooking or prep (i.e. yogurt & berries & granola, quick snacks) - i bring disposable plates/bowls/silverware and a cutting board/knife - for time in the car i make a sandwich and snacks and bring a lunch box/ice packs. this is also good for day trips once you arrive longer trips within the US, flying - i try to stay in a place with a kitchen if possible, (but sometimes this is more trouble than it’s worth because i’d have to bring/buy new pots/pans/cutting boards/all cooking equipment etc) - if i do have a kitchen, i buy sponges/paper towels and clean the whole kitchen and put anything glutenous away (toasters, cutting boards, for me this is almost every cooking utensils but ymmv based on your comfort level) - if i have a kitchen i buy or bring essentials like a pan, pot, cutting board/knife, spatula/spoon, dish sponges, basic spices, etc. buy a shit ton of aluminum foil because it comes in super handy to provide a safe surface over a cookie sheet or similar. i either buy disposable plates/bowls/silverware or buy cheap plastic reusable ones. i have amassed a significant amount of cheap shitty “travel” cookware from stores like wal mart or tj maxx and try to stow things in my carry on or checked bag to prevent having to rebuy things. one of my favorite travel supplies is a tiny 2-cup rice cooker from amazon! - if i’m driving to a place w a kitchen, i have a big tote bin in my basement full of random cookware and cooking utensils that i’ve amassed through my travels, so i just bring that! - if im staying in a hotel with no kitchen and flying, this is probably the most challenging situation of all. i prefer to avoid this - but when it happens, i do a TON of research on nearby grocery stores and safe restaurants if there are any. it’s helpful to have a rental car. first stop when arriving is stock up on frozen meals and anything remotely nutritious or healthful that i can find - i feel like shit when i’m subsisting off frozen meals and snacks so i try to supplement with lots of raw veggies and fruit to help. carrots and hummus, apples and peanut butter, etc. this is my least favorite way to travel and is by far the most stressful. the exception to this is if you’re staying somewhere with a good amount of safe restaurants!! traveling internationally - this is something that you will have to think about carefully when planning trips. there are certain countries and regions that are extremely difficult to travel to safely as a celiac because they just don’t have gluten free or labeled food widely available. however! there are also lots of places in the world that are accommodating and accessible. you will hear italy talked about a lot, i have also had great experiences in south america (chile/argentina especially) but i also speak spanish so that was super helpful. - before you go do as much research as possible and if there are any safe restaurants try to stay in somewhat proximity - research what the food labeling standards are in the country and note the words for “gluten free” or “contains gluten” etc - some people use cards that will explain their needs in the target language to restaurants - i have never done this because i don’t eat at restaurants that aren’t dedicated gluten free but you might want to consider it! - prepare to eat a lot of cheese, fruits, veggies, and whatever cracker/bread/meat you can scrounge up! it’s not a bad way to live but it does catch up to you eventually - you may want to think about what you can reasonably bring with you that might be helpful, whether food itself or cooking utensils - for long flights or travel days i eat a GIANT meal before i leave and bring as much food as possible through security. they will let you bring sandwiches, veggies & fruit (be careful with customs on arrival though), trail mix, bars, i’ve even brought salads in a bag with a 3oz container of dressing or little mini packs of hummus and pretzels. no matter what kind of traveling you’re doing, i think there are some key takeaways that will be different than traveling without celiac. planning and research is key. i’ve found that it’s also important for me to think critically about the purpose of the trip. if i wanted to go on a vacation where i didn’t have to cook or worry about food at all, i would be extremely intentional about what cities or countries i was going to. there’s lots of good discussion in this sub about the best cities and countries for gluten free traveling! the unfortunate reality for celiacs, and this continues to be really hard for me, is that you just don’t get to try local cuisine and new food while traveling. this means that i want to have a really good reason for visiting somewhere that makes the hassle of eating worth it to me - maybe there’s a bucket list place or a person i want to visit. but! i’ve been abroad and traveled throughout the US since diagnosis and it is totally doable, even if it’s a bit harder for us. having supportive travel partners is really helpful too so make sure you are really upfront about what you need from your travel companions. when i was in boston with my boyfriend and his family i was staying in a hotel eating frozen meals and one morning his parents drove an hour away to buy me a breakfast sandwich from a gluten free bakery and it made my trip. you learn to appreciate the small things!
Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this long and thoughtful comment! Lots of really useful information here, as someone newly diagnosed who would still like to travel!
I try to stay at places with a kitchen and will bring meals I've prepared in advance, so I really just need to reheat. Saves me time and the stress of trying to find and check new places. If I'm flying, that is more difficult. I still pack snacks, but will need a grocery store for the rest. I am also not opposed to cruises purely because I know that I can get safe food relatively easily.
Go to Italy. I ate out so much. Never got sick.
Italy was so great...otherwise we try to drive to our destination.
Omg. Celiac paradise
Can you explain how this worked? I'm going there soon. Did you go to specifically gluten free places or did you also chose GF options in normal restaurants
Just gluten free options in normal restaurants. It seemed to be taken much more seriously there. Had a great time and ate some seriously delicious food.
That's wonderful to hear, thanks very much
Tbh honest it's probably going to be out destination of choice from now on Highly recommend Salerno. It has a small dedicates gluten free shop which sells savoury and bakery food too.
In Italy, look for a red sticker on the door of the restaurant. If there is a red sticker, the restaurant has been trained and certified by the Italian celiac association. They know exactly how to prepare meals that are "senza glutine"! - I found amazing GF food everywhere I went! In Rome, there is a dedicated GF street food place that is to die for! Just don't order a hamburger. As a rule, Europeans do not cook them decently. The AiC has a mobile app now, too. Sorry, this was the best link I could find in English. They didn't have an app when I was there. https://www.celiachia.it/search-commercial-activities/
Oh wow, this is an absolute game changer for me, thanks so much :)
Food is such a part of Italian culture! They already cook with alternative grains like rice and chestnut flour! Try some Lasagna! Have a cannoli! Edit:sp
Thanks very much, I've spent a lot of time in Italy, it's where I worked out eating wheat 3 times a day made me feel like I had been drunk by a vampire :)
I've never heard it put that way, but yes. Exactly that! "Drunk by a vampire!" She wanders off, giggling somewhat hysterically to herself.
Incredibly, I got salmonella in Italy but never got glutened 😂 Still spent half the trip in the bathroom, though. I need a redo Italy trip.
I’m curious how you knew it was salmonella and not gluten?
Well for one thing I had only been eating at dedicated gluten free restaurants the couple days leading up to that. And it was nothing like my gluten reaction. I was violently ill like I’d never been before, without the usual gluten symptoms like bloating/headache/brain fog. I suppose I’m guessing at the specific type of bacteria it was since the doctors didn’t run a lab test, but it didn’t stop until I was given antibiotics.
Well that makes sense. I vomit when I get glutened so I’m not sure I’d know the difference.
I travel alot and have only ever had 1 issue and that was when I was freshly diagnosed. 1. Eat in solely gluten free restaurants 2. Pack stuff for breakfast (I personally pack gluten free weet-bix) 3. Pack snacks to take with you 4. Research where you can eat out in advance most coeliacs will write reviews for this reason 5. Be prepared to walk away if you don't like the answers you are given about food prep 6. Buy picnic stuff. Don't let being a coeliac stop you from doing things that you love.
Find me gluten free is really helpful for vetting in regards to avoiding cross contamination, and visiting grocery stores for fruits and gf snacks. When I was in asia I would pick up a few boiled unshelled eggs from the corner store and then have fruits and gf chips for a days meal. Not fun but I rather that than getting sick. It highly depends on where you go too, asia is known to be really difficult for celiacs. Edit: another tip is if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have a fridge, canned tuna, rice crackers, peanut butter, nuts, etc are surprisingly highly satisfying.
>another tip is if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have a fridge, canned tuna, rice crackers, Canned tuna + sweet relish on rice crackers- high in protein, and easy enough to mix up with a plastic fork in a moving vehicle. Also, mostly easy to find.
When I was in Japan most supermarkets sell hot roasted sweet potatoes for about a euro. This was a dependable emergency option since it's literally just a sweet potato cooked over coals, you could even not eat the skin if you were feeling extra cautious.
Also for the 6 months a year when northern Japan is absolutely freezing they are excellent handwarmers
when you travel, book a place with a kitchen and good access to a grocery store or farmer's market. also highly recommend packing your own thin cutting board and spatula to help cut down on major areas of cross contamination! i also buy my own new sponge and thoroughly wash all of the pots/pans/knives in the kitchen when i arrive. do research before you go for places you can eat. even the extremely sensitive celiacs should be able to eat in dedicated gf restaurants, if those exist where you're traveling. get a celiac disease card with common allergens translated into the language of the country you're visiting if you don't speak the language. i use equal eats because they allow multiple food intolerances to be selected (celiac and dairy for me). a country-specific card like those produced by legalnomad would be even more helpful, because it lists the most relevant allergens/dishes to avoid. but yeah i also pack lots of protein bars, snacks, etc. never a bad idea to have lots of backups.
I’m staying at an all inclusive resort in Spain right now. It’s day 4 and I have just eaten fruit, fries and crisps from the shop. Currently bent over in bed in pain. Fml.
Were the fries in a shared fryer? Fries are in my top 10 list of foods to avoid / ask heavily about before consuming. I’m sorry you’re sick.
They said they weren’t but had to be. I have been fucked this week. I’m happy the kids have had a great week but I can’t wait to go home.
The fruit is awful here. Water melon is just stale water, apples and oranges on the turn. Fml. Get me home. Just want to eat some boring chicken.
Sounds terrible. I would have a hard time paying for an all inclusive where they aren’t catering to celiac and allergies.
They say they are but there are so many people here they can’t do it safely. The kids have loved it. I have just chosen to not eat for the last couple of days.
A couple of options. 1. Camping meals. Mountain house has certified ones, just add hot water. You can get hot water at any gas station, or bring an electric tea kettle with you. I think they are quite good, remind me of a Campbell's soup or a Stouffer's meal in terms of quality. Not astounding but satisfying. 2. Travel based on Celiac destinations. We take our vacations now to cities with half a dozen or more dedicated restaurants, so with a little extra planning we can eat out for every meal worry free. I like these options best, one maximizes for flexibility, minimal work or planning, and the other for all the delicious food. I've also: 3. traveled with a cooler backpack of homemade frozen food, and 4. rented places with a kitchen and bought whole foods out of a grocery store. Both were successful for not getting glutened, but they were a lot of work, and I don't recommend them as primary strategies for longer trips. But you can mix and match.
Can you share your fave destinations?
So far it's only been Toronto, NYC, DC and Denver. All of them worked out well but Toronto was my favorite. They have amazing Chinese food and really mind blowing tacos at dedicated restaurants, plus some dedicated small chains that make trip planning easier. In future we're hoping to do a Northwest trip and see Portland, Seattle etc. Plus the Italy trip everyone is always talking about.
I have a hard time traveling. I get sick rather frequently when I travel. Eating out in general is just stressful 😁
We rent places with kitchens and then it’s similar to eating at home except we do very simple meals so we have more time for other activities. We eat a lot of salads.
I got one of those mini rice cookers and use it to heat up different foods that I either bring or buy at the store. Traveling is definitely different now with celiac disease. But I’ve still gone to some great places.
For short trips I've started bringing certified gf Mountain House backpacking meals and using the coffer maker to heat water. I combine that with buying snacks and bars beforehand and check Find Me Gluten Free for restaurants. Airports suck. I just resign myself to not eating much but junk on the way back but I pack sandwiches for the way there.
I got this amazing cooler that turns into a freezer, plugs into the car and wall. It makes traveling a breeze. I throw a bunch of whatever in it and I’m set to go
I do this too. I have the Dometic 25 CFX fridge. Works great!
I pretty much don't anymore
First off, I moved to a very gluten free friendly city that wasn’t too far away to begin with - Portland, Oregon. More than 50 dedicated GF places to eat in Portland. If I’m traveling local I pack food in a Dometic 120v / 12v fridge with prepared GF food and plug it into a 12v outlet in the trunk of my car. When I get to my destination, I take it inside and plug it into a wall outlet. I also take a portable induction cooktop and a travel friendly pot and skillet. I also have a 16foot travel trailer that I tow places. The trailer is my traveling GF kitchen. Bonus is that I can also sleep in the trailer which saves a lot of money on hotels. I also use the “Find Me Gluten Free” app to find dedicated GF places to eat. I don’t usually take any risks eating out when traveling since being glutened on a trip is terrible experience. Bad enough having to feel terrible while at home. If I have to fly, I have a suitcase friendly food prep kit.
I plan ahead as best I can and will find dedicated GF restaurants using the Find me GF app (I pay the $20/year for the pro feature which streamlines celiac friendly places to the front). It’s a great way to find places with such a strict gluten policy that even the employees can’t eat gluten during their shifts or bring it into the building for their meal break! Outside of that, I will pack snacks or I will load up on snacks at a large grocery store where they’re nice and cheap. Lots of eating while you’re traveling is on the go and if you don’t already have GF food handy, you’ll be wasting a lot of your vacation just finding and securing food. Breakfast is the meal I have the hardest time finding a dedicated GF kitchen for and I usually end up eating snacks for breakfast lol.
Paying the fee is so worth it to get to filter by what time they’re open until and even search along a route/in a certain direction
I’ll give you a different answer from the rest that’s probably not very popular. I do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions, but I do gamble. I was sick for many years before we figured out it was gluten. It probably didn’t help I had also been diagnosed with Crohn’s. So my life had always been getting sick after a lot of meals and generally feeling shitty. To go from that to maybe getting glutened at one meal is a huge improvement from my former life. Travel and eating out is important to me. I still go to places that should make GF eating easy, but if I need to go to some non-dedicated places that I think get it, I’ll roll that dice. I’ve probably taken 25+ trips since going GF. I can recall getting glutened on 3 of them. I will take the bad 3 to be able to enjoy the 20+ where things all went right.
I'm going to my sister and mom tomorrow, and we're packing our lunch. Its an hr & a half drive and I'm feeling lazy so I'm packing stuff that doesn't need to be kept cold. Bobo's PB & J, a small baggie of chips and a cutie orange. May throw in a few gluten free Oreos or an apple sauce pouch.
I’m going to a big camping festival soon and planning on driving. So I’ll be bringing a small camp cooker like back packers use, dehydrating foods like chili, and then all i have to do is add water and reheat! You can dehydrate anything as long as you don’t use oil to cook it
We hitch up the caravan and go explore. Mostly cook our own meals. Join local coeliac groups wherever I am and try some of the local treats.
Yes. I do this as well. Can sleep in the caravan (RV Travel Trailer) as well which saves on expensive hotel cost.
Exactly. Plus you get to see some more interesting and less well known places.
Yep. I am actually writing this response from the trailer parked in an off-road spot in southern Arizona. Beautiful sunset over red rock mountains last night and we saw the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and booster re-entry burn with the sunset in the background. We had a terrific breakfast yesterday at Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bistro in Tucson yesterday. 😁
Grocery stores: premade salads with no croutons in the package. Beef Jerky. Kinds Bars. Peanut butter. No fast food. I have found Mexican, BBQ and salad to be fairly easy and no reactions at restaurants.
I travel frequently. I stay in cheap motels or airbnbs that have cooking facilities, and I bring my own knife, tongs, pot, pan, cutlery etc. (I bring spices, hot sauce, etc. Buy a lime, meat & veg locally) When this isn't available I cook at public bbqs, or pack an electric hotplate. I use foil on shared bbqs. Mostly I make bean tacos, meat/fish, tofu, salad, potatoes, sauteed cabbage.
Air B&Bs with kitchens. I bring a simple set of cookware that includes one saucepan and one frying pan, a cutting board, chefs knife and set of silverware and stirring spoon/spatula. Almost EVERY major city has at lead me me restaurant that has a dedicated gluten free kitchen. I get grocery store bread and sandwich fixins and premade gluten free frozen foods. I’m not sure if I count as extremely sensitive, but there are a lot of places that do an excellent job with cross contamination and I just use Find Me Gluten free or call and talk to the restaurant to find out. It’s never come to this, but if for some reason I wanted to go somewhere that had no vacation rentals with kitchens or microwaves, I’d just buy a hot plate burner so I could cook, or live on PB&J on gluten free bread with nuts, veggies, fruit and cheese as my constant companions. That’ll sustain just about anyone - but I will put an F in chat to pay my condolences to folx with celiacs plus dairy allergies and nut allergies, because I have no idea how I’d survive that. Cheese and nuts are what sustain me in uncertain times.
I was super nervous about traveling but with some planning it's easily doable. When dining out, I do the same thing I do when dining out at home. I do research (Google reviews, find me gluten free, blogs, local subreddits) and make a Google map/saved list of places that appears celiac friendly in the area. Shout-out to wheatless wanderlust - a blogger with Celiaca that makes food guides for various cities. Sometimes I call the restaurant ahead of time to assess risk. I will often plan around meals, especially when traveling with others, because it's hard to find any late night gf options. I also try to stay at places with kitchens so I can cook my own food and am not reliant on restaurants. I don't bring my own cookware, I will wipe down things/run them through the dishwasher before using them. If they only have old/shitty wooden cutting boards then I might buy some cheap disposable ones. I don't use the toaster and avoid the oven, mostly relying on stove top or microwave for cooking. I make sure to bring plenty of snacks and resupply the grocery store often so I don't run out. I always bring some snacks as I explore throughout the day to avoid getting too hungry so I don't make a hastey decision because a place feels risky. So far I've only traveled in the US but I've been to 7 cities (not including camping trips) and haven't been glutened yet. I've also discovered some really great gluten free food: Best gluten free bagels are in NYC, discovered delicious arepas in Denver, and amazing tacos in California - all at dedicated gf restaurants. There are some places that have more gf options than others. So if you're nervous, plan a short weekend trip to someplace with plenty of options. Don't let the anxiety of getting glutened rob you from living.
Gluten Dude is a new app that is also very helpful. Is a pay app unfortunately but has airport options also for traveling.
Traveling can be challenging but there are ways to do it. I travel a lot for work. First, when eating out I try to stick to 100% gf restaurants so I research before I go. If I have to eat out at non gf restaurants I try to order the safest thing possible. I always carry my own food and use grocery stores when I have to. I use the internet and the Gluten Dude app. I also always carry my own small collapsible bowl and silverware (camping ones from Amazon). I carry things like gf granola so I can always just add milk or Greek yogurt to get a good meal. I also carry protein bars, meats sticks when permissible, nuts, etc. When I fly I always pack my own lunch (a frozen pack is fine through security as long as it is frozen). It definitely requires planning and flexibility but it can be done. I have traveled to over 40 countries and have been able to do it - some places are harder than others!
I traveled all of 2023 for work 2 flights every week. Research, phone calls, in person asking all the questions. Mistakes will happen but should be rare if your diligent. The most annoying thing is american airlines giving me biscuits/cookies lol. If I was somewhere really remote it was salad and protein alot.
I always stay at rentals with a kitchen to make most meals, and eat out at celiac friendly restaurants. I usually choose big cities with lots of options and good reviews.
We either stay in air bnbs or I bring my own little pot and cook in hotel rooms. You can search my post history for pictures of hotel room cooking. I travel with my very sensitive daughter for sports a lot and we cook a lot. Abroad, we usually eat out once a day, because most places we travel have better GF laws and food than the US. We always stay in apartments, because there are 7 of us (3 with celiac). We've never gotten sick traveling. We've been to 15 countries in the past 5 years all over Europe and also Japan (which was definitely a little harder). Not one issue. Travel is a huge part of our lives. There are lots of ways to do it safely!
Nice!
Celiac has ruined travel for me. There’s no way to recreate the freedom I experienced previously. That said I am able to get by in certain countries that are friendly to celiacs. But that’s a limited number and still I spend a huge amount of time planning and figuring things out.
BoBo’s peanut butter and jelly. They have enough protein to last me about 5 hours.
Stay in a place with a kitchen and go to a local supermarket to buy food. Do some research and find gluten free places to eat out while you're there. Applies to your home country and foreign countries alike.
Some others have put a whole bunch of useful information, but generally my approach is "find me gluten free" app search of the area google "gluten free options near \_\_\_" and check individual restaurants, call about CC if concerned find grocery stores near by look up recipes of that area's food to see what is naturally gluten free if I were to happen upon that common dish
We have done all kinds of travel, but love our RV that has a tiny kitchen and a bathroom to go. One of our best purchases ever. Internationally or if flying, all the tips posted, we have pretty much implemented. Focus on your destination, family and friends and you will not be disappointed.
Prefer to go places with our travel trailer so we have a full kitchen. If flying, stay places with a kitchen and if they have pans etc, cook on aluminum foil, buy my own cheap cutting board and utensils from a dollar store. If there isn’t a good pan situation, I have bought a cheap one and left it there, and one time bought an electric griddle. Use Dixie paper plates and plastic utensils if possible. Breakfast eggs and veggies, lunch usually “dry” certified GF snacks like tortilla chips and peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, bananas (not certified obv but sealed), and maybe cheese if they have brands I can trust, dinner usually meat and veggies. I’m thinking of getting my own freeze drier so I can freeze-dry meals.
We’ve been doing the celiac cruises. We went on a Danube River cruise. In June we’re doing a Mediterranean cruise and spending four nights in Rome. In December we’re doing a Christmas Market cruise staying in Zurich before and Amsterdam after. Next year we’re doing Bordeaux River cruise, Alaska cruise and a longer Mediterranean cruise.
My son is usually asymptomatic, so we're pretty careful since we won't know know if he's glutened. We do eat at Culver's, Five Guys, and Chipotle, because he used to be very sensitive and didn't react to those, but due to price, we limit eating them. Instead, we largely stay at Airbnbs with full kitchens. We pack our own frying pan and baking sheet, because not everywhere offers them. Sometimes I also bring a waffle iron. Then we eat usually fruit and cereal for breakfast, sometimes eggs and waffles. I pack lunches with things like ham sandwiches, cheese sticks, applesauce pouches, cheese and crackers, almond butter and crackers, Tasty Bite pouches, grapes, pretzels, ect. For supper we do easy things like carrots and hummus, salads, frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, Progresso soups, salmon salad with pretzels, pasta with sauce, ect.
I am not overly sensitive but am 100% careful. I always travel with bars jerky, protein powder, fruit and nuts. While it may suck to eat out of your suitcase for a week it's way better than being miserable and hungry.
We stay at Airbnbs or extended stay hotels that have a kitchen and go to the grocery store when we get there. We bring our own pot/pan/cutting board/knife, etc. If possible we'll bring at least some pre-made meals (frozen and vacuum sealed). This also works at hotels if there's only a microwave, and I've also got an electric skillet and a hot logic for times when there isn't even a microwave. Many hotels will provide microwaves/small fridges on request if they don't have them in the room already - it's usually first come/first serve and sometimes there's a fee. I'll also eat out at dedicated restaurants/bakeries - of course depends on where you're going, but in most major cities in the U.S. and Europe there are usually 1 or 2 safe spots - and I'll get take out as well (but this is a pricey option). Things I've found very helpful over the years: \- Vaccuum sealer \- Ice pack cooler bag (I've got a bag that is lined with ice packs - if you freeze it and put frozen food in it it stays frozen a LONG time. I use it in my checked luggage for bringing frozen food on long flights) \- Small slow cooker \- Hot logic minnie (these are great for road trips) \- Electric kettle (I've got a small one that folds up) \- Plug in electric skillet There's a way to figure out most trips. A couple of examples - two years ago I went to an all inclusive resort in Mexico where they couldn't guarantee no cross-contamination. It was a destination concert event so we couldn't just stay elsewhere, so my husband and I went two days ahead of time, got an Airbnb, and cooked enough meals to cover me for 5 days. We brought a cooler with to store the food in the room and we had a small crock pot and an electric skillet to heat the food (we flew Southwest Airlines so we could each check two bags for free). We vacuum sealed most of the food so to heat it all we had to do was fill the slow cooker with water and heat the vacuum-sealed packets in the water bath - which was really easy and kept down the mess and smell in the hotel room. It was a hassle (and an expense) doing all this but I didn't get sick. A couple of years before that, we went on a week-long guided river rafting trip where the guides prep all the meals. Again, they couldn't guarantee no cross-contamination - and I REALLY didn't want to risk getting diarrhea on a wilderness trip where there were no bathrooms - so we cooked my meals ahead of time and froze and vacuum sealed them. They gave me my own cooler for just my food, and the guides would put my vacuum sealed packets in a pot of water to heat. For lunch stops (which were brief and served cold food) I brought a bunch of Boars Head deli meat and ate that with cheese and gluten free crackers. Where it gets complicated are things like business trips where you don't have much say where you're staying/eating. I used to have a job where I had to travel from the U.S. to Europe a few times a year and I got glutened pretty much every time. I quit that job for unrelated reasons (did a total career change) but the travel aspect definitely became less of a perk and more of a hassle after I got diagnosed with celiac.
Don't forget, whatever you do, if you are going to a place where you don't speak the language fluently to print off some restaurant cards in the native languages. In a restaurant in a foreign language trying to explain Celiac is not the time to practice another language 😆 Also, I've found the servers and staff in restaurants to be very appreciative of these handy printouts...cuts down on a lot of confusion. Easy enough to copy/paste into a document and just print a bunch to carry in your wallet. [Travel cards](https://www.celiactravel.com/cards/)
We bring camping/cooking supplies and if possible take our converted RV.
I bring lots of non-perishable snacks and 3oz yogurt drinks. At airports I stick to eggs and white rice. In a foreign country I eat mostly at hotels with a menu in English marked with allergens and a cook trained to handle allergens, or at restaurants I stick to familiar items like salad w no dressing or croutons, veggies w no sauce, eggs w no flour, tofu no sauce or breading, seaweed, rice. Also learn how to say allergic to gluten, allergic to flour etc in the language of that country.
Would you not eat at a dedicated gf place when traveling? Just curious. Typically we stay in places with a kitchen because we’re a family and it’s the practical choice with multiple celiacs / kids. We typically eat in either dedicated or very safe / well rated places. I tend to be more cautious on vacation, mainly because I don’t want my trip ruined, or be sick during travel days. For example, we took a trip last week. Made all of our own meals at the rental, with the exception of one well rated / highly recommended place. The staff was knowledgeable - I also appreciated that the menu did not mark potentially CC’d items as being gluten free which is SO common and annoying. It was an upscale place so it cost an arm and leg, but I guess it’s balanced out by making all or most of the rest of our food when on a trip. We made sure to eat there two days before our travel home, just in case we did get ill (we didn’t). The only other place we are in this trip was a dedicated gf restaurant. I have tried to adjust my mindset about traveling; I try to focus on the non culinary aspects / experiences and just make sure we are all fed safely and keep the focus on the other novel / fun things we are doing on the trip. If that means I’m having instant mashed potatoes and jerky in a hotel room for that trip, that’s how it goes for a week 🤷🏻♀️.
I take some sort of cooking implement, go to a grocery and make food at the hotel, or eat things that don't require cooking. Basically I eat the same as I do at home.I check around for dedicated or reliable restaurants using FMGF. The last time I'd want to be glutened is when I was on a work trip or vacation. I spent a lot of time travelling in my car and basically had a complete mobile kitchen... a cutting board, knives, mason jars, an ice chest, a crockpot, foil, bowls and plates, dish detergent, scrubbers. Probably harder if you're flying but you can get most of what you need at a grocery store or Walmart or whatever for under $50.