| If you're allergic to gluten and travel often, this | | | | cards to take along with coeliac-related words and |
| can pose a problem when it comes to eating | | | | questions in that particular language. This will help |
| meals while traveling abroad. Gluten, a protein | | | | things go smoothly when dining out. |
| found in rye, wheat, and barley, can cause either | | | | When booking a hotel room, condo, or other |
| mild stomach discomfort for some (such as gas, | | | | accommodations, be sure to ask for a room with |
| abdominal pain, and diarrhea) or a serious condition | | | | a kitchenette. This will allow you to cook your |
| called coeliac disease (a.k.a. celiac disease in the | | | | own foods during your stay. Ask for a |
| United States), when gluten triggers the immune | | | | refrigerator, microwave, stove, and sink to make |
| system. Either way, obtaining gluten free food can | | | | things easier. |
| be challenging when you're away from home. | | | | Gluten Free Foods to Take Along |
| Fortunately, you don't have to give up travel just | | | | Make a list of foods, travel cooking accessories, |
| because you're on a gluten free diet. With a little | | | | and ingredients to take with you. This will be |
| planning and effort, you can still enjoy life to its | | | | easier if traveling in your own vehicle. If not, you |
| fullest! Here are tips to keep in mind when | | | | might need to pack an extra suitcase specifically |
| traveling. | | | | for your gluten free foods and accessories. When |
| Before You Leave | | | | traveling by car, pack some snacks in baggies to |
| Before leaving home, try to contact a coeliac | | | | have available when you get hungry. You can buy |
| support group in the area you plan to visit. A | | | | many pre-packaged snacks online at a gluten free |
| support group will likely be able to provide you | | | | or wheat free food website. Some of the snack |
| with a list of local restaurants that serve coeliac | | | | items you'll find include gluten free crackers and |
| food and local health food stores that carry gluten | | | | crispbreads, wafers, chocolate goodies, and |
| free foods. You might also find this information on | | | | biscuits. Look for delicious mini Jaffa cakes, Nanas |
| the Internet. If you can't take your favorite | | | | lemon cookies, gluten free chocolate brownies, |
| wheat free foods with you, check with the local | | | | and Whizzers chocolate treats. These can be |
| health food store in that area to be sure they | | | | quite filling without gluten worries. |
| carry the foods you need. If not, the storeowner | | | | For cooking and baking while abroad, you can |
| might be willing to order the foods for you in | | | | shop online for coeliac food (or celiac food) |
| advance. | | | | ingredients such as cake mixes and breads, flour, |
| Call the airport or train or bus terminal to ask if | | | | gravy, pasta, and pastries. Some gluten free |
| you can bring along your gluten free foods in your | | | | brands to look for include Dietary Specials, Doves |
| luggage as well as some carry-along snacks. | | | | Farm, Allergycare, Barkat, Bakers Delight, Biona, |
| Some will allow it; some won't. It doesn't hurt to | | | | Roleys, Nanas, Orgran, Honeybuns, and Trufree. |
| ask. If traveling to another country, get familiar | | | | Following a gluten free food diet while traveling |
| with their import laws before taking food along. | | | | doesn't mean you can't have fun. Use these tips |
| Also, be sure to leave your foods in their original | | | | to make the most of your trip without constantly |
| packaging to avoid confusion at the border (i.e. | | | | worrying over your next meal. Planning ahead and |
| avoid taking along mixes and foods in zip-lock | | | | carrying along gluten free food when possible will |
| bags). Become familiar with the language where | | | | give you peace of mind and good health during |
| you plan to visit, and create some restaurant | | | | your travels. |