Guest post: Eating Gluten Free on Vacation
Whether remaining gluten-free is a
personal choice or a healthy necessity, vacation has a way of screwing up the
best thought-out diet. Traveling means eating at restaurants, snacking on the
road and trying new things – managing a gluten-free lifestyle is more difficult
when you must deal with the unexpected. The key to staying healthy is planning.
Before You Go
Hit the road with a full stomach
whether going to the airport or driving to your location. Travel is exhausting.
There are bags to move, lots of walking to do and the stress of trying to
figure out where you are most of the time. Eating before you go eliminates the
need to settle for whatever you can find at the last minute. Start the vacation
right with a healthy meal. That is one less you have to worry about while on
the move.
Find
the Right Lodging
Look for lodging that offers you
the opportunity to cook, even if it is just a small refrigerator and microwave.
Online travel sites let you select amenities you want in a hotel. This is a
practical approach to finding a place with a kitchen. If the establishment has
on-property restaurants, look on the website for menus to see what foods are
available before making a reservation.
Consider calling ahead of time to
let the hotel know you have an issue with gluten. This gives them the chance to
wow you by stocking the mini bar with appropriate snacks or having items in the
continental breakfast that are gluten-free.
Corporate hotels may be prepared to deal with guests who have Celiac disease or
another health issue that restricts their diet.
Use that same approach with
airlines if flying for many hours. Let them know when you book the ticket that
you have diet considerations.
Shop Around for Healthy Restaurants in the Area
Pick the places you want to try
ahead of time. If you know what restaurants are available in the area, you can
avoid problems when you go out. One of the major
factors that I have found that made a difference in my travels was when I began
to read the reviews on the areas and restaurants of where I was staying before
hand. Without this knowledge, it is practically a free for all when you get to
where you are going and this is what often leads to unhealthy eating and nearly
impossibly to meat the gluten-free needs. In my recent travels out west, the reviews from other
travelers proved pivotal to finding one of the rare Las Vegas Hotels that had a
vegetarian menu. When you are making a
reservation at these restaurants, let them know you need gluten-free options so
they can be ready. Just like the hotel, most restaurants survive on tourism and
want to make an impression by helping you out. Make a list of foods that
contain gluten or special handling instructions you require and carry copies
with you to hand out, as well.
Pack up an Emergency Kit
Pack an emergency travel kit, so
you have food to eat if you are stuck. If the family is at a restaurant or in a
theme park and you are left with few gluten-free options, the emergency kit can
fill in what you can’t buy.The emergency kit would include items that are easily stored and can be used to make a quick meal if need be. This could include some gluten free bread and peanut butter, or perhaps even a few gluten free protein and energy bars. The purpose of these items is simply to hold you over until you can find a place to feed your body with the appropriate foods.
Staying gluten-free and staying at
home does not necessarily go hand in hand. People are better educated about
food allergies and illnesses like Celiac disease than they used to be. The
world is becoming more health conscious place to live. This means going on the
road is not just possible; it is practical, as long you know your limitations
and plan ahead for the trip.
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