4 Tips for Managing Food Allergies During Family Vacation
Activating an out-of-office email and jet-setting to a scenic vacation with loved ones is idyllic. You embark on the trip knowing you’ll make memories of a lifetime and have new experiences while you’re at it. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when you have a food allergy.
In fact, having dietary limitations can make large group trips stressful and chaotic. You don’t want to inconvenience people, but you need to be safe. You hope to enjoy the best dishes that your destination has to offer but feel anxious about cross-contamination. Fortunately, there are several ways to mitigate these stressors and focus on relaxing with your family.
1. Research Restaurants Before Booking
There’s always a planning period before any exciting getaway. You’re finding a route for your road trip or booking flights. You’re deciding on where to stay and the different tourist activities that you consider must-haves. When you have a food allergy, though, there’s an added layer of planning that includes researching allergy-safe meals.
Start your deep dive like you would for anything else on your family vacation – explore your options. Create a list of every spot that catches your eye and then see what allergy accommodations they offer, if any. Some places may be certified for specific allergies, such as gluten-free or dairy-free restaurants, making safe eating easy. Others may require advanced notice to prepare and separate allergens in the cooking process. Knowing this in advance can help ensure you and the restaurant are prepared so you can have an enjoyable meal.
While food allergies and group travel don’t always go hand-in-hand, researching early reduces friction. You know, to the best of your ability, that what you’ll be consuming is safe. While it’s an extra effort, the peace of mind knowing you have options is well worth it.
2. Opt for Rental Houses
Finding the right place to stay on a group vacation is half of the battle. You’re searching for the right location and amenities at a price everyone can stomach. Plus, you’re likely hoping to have a space big enough for everyone to hang out while also maintaining some privacy. The good news? Rental houses offer all of that plus a kitchen where you can cook allergy-safe food.
Depending on your food allergy, it may be extremely challenging to find a safe option for eating out. If that puts a strain on the planning process or feels like more work than it’s worth, lean into home-cooked meals. You can even make it fun by giving everyone on the trip a course to plan and execute – free from allergies, of course.
While menu planning and dishes may not be your preferred travel eating experience, it can help you be safe. And leaning into the cozy nature of cooking on vacation can give everyone a unique bonding experience. When done right, it can amplify the best parts of your trip and prevent cross-contact, too.
3. Overcommunicate About Your Food Allergy
While it’s easy to assume everyone on your family trip knows about your allergy, that isn’t necessarily the case. If you’re traveling with a significant other’s loved ones or extended family you don’t see often, they may be completely unaware. To be safe, it’s critical to share your food allergies with everyone on the trip in advance.
This helps ensure your best chance at safe eating in a few ways. For one, everyone on the trip can keep your food allergy in mind when planning activities. If you’re gluten-free, a pasta-making course wouldn’t be the best suggestion, for example. There’s also awareness that your allergy is a factor in food decisions, making selecting restaurants a more important part of planning.
Will everyone on the trip be accommodating and understanding of your allergy? Hopefully, but maybe not. But the best step you can take to advocate for yourself and your health is to make people aware of your allergies. From there, it’s out of your hands.
4. Pack Allergy-Safe Snacks
When hunger hits mid-activity on vacation, there aren’t always extensive options for food. You may be able to dip into a corner shop or swing by a fast food chain. But is that safe for your allergies? Probably not. Instead, plan ahead and bring snacks you know are safe.
A few days before your trip, when you’re packing your suitcase and toiletries, think about what foods you gravitate toward. This may be a protein bar or a piece of fruit for a satiating but quick snack. For road trips, it may be something you’ve made from scratch and meal prepped for the week that can be stored in a cooler. Regardless, make a mental note and stock up on your favorite on-the-go food leading up to your trip.
With allergy-free travel snacks in tow, you know with confidence you’ll always have something to eat. So, if you’re at a restaurant that can’t accommodate your allergy or you start to feel ill, you’re not left without options. Once you find a game plan that works for one trip, you’re set for any future jet-setting you may plan. Just make sure to store your allergen-free food separately so no one eats it before you can.
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Your Trip
Family travel is meant to be filled with quality time, relationship building, and fond memories. Don’t let a food allergy stand in the way of you getting the most out of your trip by planning ahead. That way, you can set your out-of-office and take off with nothing but excitement about what’s to come.
