Unfortunately, no matter where you plan to travel, your food allergies will always be with you. So don't just plan your vacation itinerary, plan on ways you can stay safe on your trip, too. Whether you're heading to the beach, the countryside, or the mountains, be mindful that you could come on contact with your allergens.
Use these tips to help you avoid any triggers so you can enjoy your stay without putting yourself in danger:
- If you have severe nut allergies, travel by car to your destination to make sure you're in a peanut-free zone.
- When you must travel by plane, contact the airline up front and find out what food allergy precautions they take. Some airlines ban nuts on board, or have special peanut-free flights, so you'll need to explore your options.
- Carry your own foods for the journey so you don't have to worry about trying to find things that meet your approved criteria list.
- Always bring your medication in your carry-on (never pack it in your luggage) in case your bag is ever lost or the baggage is rerouted or delayed.
- Contact your hotel or host before you leave home to ensure you will be staying in a setting where you can avoid coming in contact with dangerous allergens.
- Check with your resort or cruise line about their policy on preparing allergy-free meals to ensure you won't come in contact with allergens that could pose a problem.
- Plan to stay in a cabin or hotel room with its own private kitchen so you can cook your own meals.
- Scope out a few restaurants at your destination and call ahead to make sure that the chef will be able and willing to accommodate your special needs.
- Before you eat out, prepare index cards with a list of your allergens and give it to the restaurant staff to help them ensure that they use only the safest ingredients in your meals.
- Consider how easy it would be to access treatment when deciding on a destination. Staying in a remote island far away from a hospital could be too risky. So for peace of mind, go for the Oceanside villa that's a mile from a well-respected hospital.
- Research the best sources for medical care in the area you will be visiting—should you experience an emergency.
- Make sure to have a few EpiPen®s with you at all times, just in case you encounter any problems throughout your trip.
Sources:
Bryant, Toni. "Traveling with Food Allergies." Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University. K-State Research and Extension, October 2007. Web. 16 Aug. 2011.
"Managing Food Allergies While on Vacation." American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. AAAAI, n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2011.
"Traveling Tips." The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. FAAN, n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2011.
