Tips For Traveling With Food Allergies
Food Allergy Travel Tips —Don’t let your allergies hold you back!
Book a Hotel with a Kitchen
It's a lot of fun to try new restaurants and experience new cuisines, but having access to a kitchen reduces the stress of constantly having to find safe food at restaurants—it can get exhausting!
I recently went on a weekend trip to Big Bear and booked an Airbnb with a kitchen. I packed a cooler of food filled with my favorite meals and could cook for myself instead of having to navigate restaurants in a small town with allergies.
I used the cookware Airbnb provided but washed it before using it to prevent contamination. I also brought disposable dinnerware, so I didn't have to clean every bowl, cup, spoon, etc., before I wanted to use it. If Airbnb has a dishwasher, you can sanitize the dinnerware in there.
Pack Your Go-To Snacks
When I travel to a location with lots of allergy-friendly spots, I typically bring snacks instead of meal ingredients. I love having safe snacks with me if I can’t find a safe option at a restaurant.
Pack Allergy Medicine
Pack any allergy medicine you might need. There’s no such thing as being overly prepared when it comes to your allergy. I carry 3 emergency allergic reaction scenario kits with me at all times, especially when traveling—EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Benadryl, Tagamet, etc. If you’re interested in learning what’s in my scenario kits, you can watch this video:
Create an Allergy Reaction Emergency Plan
Create a list of hospitals and urgent care offices that take your insurance in the area in case of an emergency. When I book my accommodations, I try to pick a place that is closest to the hospital I would want to go to if I had a severe reaction. The ambulance will drive to the closest one. I also try to look for accommodations within a 15-minute drive of a hospital because time is of the essence during an allergic reaction.
Research Allergy-Friendly Restaurants
Find safe places to eat. TikTok, Instagram, Yelp, and personal blogs are great places for suggestions. I especially love using Spokin because its recommendations are up-to-date. You can also call restaurants to ask about allergy-safe options and cross-contamination protocols.
Bring Support
Let's face it: Traveling with allergies is difficult, but supportive travel besties make all the difference! Make sure to tell them where you keep your medicine, how to administer it, and your emergency plan.
Let’s Check Off The Steps
See these traveling tips in action! Watch the video below to see how someone with 17 food allergies packs for a weekend trip.
