For most celiac individuals, seeking travel tips and options while on a gluten-free diet can’t be avoided. When you commit to a way of life, going back to how things used to be can be hard. My easy gluten-free travel tips and on the go meal options make life easier.
Maintaining a certain diet or avoiding certain ingredients can be especially difficult if you travel a lot.
Gluten is a particularly tough ingredient to avoid. It is found in wheat, which is typically a big part of our normal diet.
However, recent studies have suggested that gluten can have many disadvantages for a wide range of people who are allergic or have an intolerance.
If you have followed me for a while, you already know that I was diagnosed with celiac disease many years ago. For me and many others, it’s a way of life now.
Celiac disease is the most common disease caused by gluten. Other disorders caused by gluten are gut inflammation, intestinal permeability, and damage to the gut microbiome.
If you strictly avoid gluten, traveling to a new place with different food options can be challenging, but it is not impossible.
Tips to Maintain Your Gluten-Free Diet While Traveling
- The internet is a blessing. You can use it to easily find out if nearby restaurants can accommodate gluten-free meals. You can also search restaurants ahead of time, so you know where you find gluten-free meals before you arrive or during your travel.
- Ask the hotel you stay in if they have refrigerators and microwaves you can use.
- Packing dry nutritious items like energy protein bars and nuts is a good idea if there is no other option readily available.
- You can search for in-person groups nearby that support gluten-free diets. Then ask them for suggestions, or you can simply ask restaurant owners if they serve gluten-free food.
- In airports, look for yogurt, salad, grilled chicken, plain hamburgers, and other gluten-free standbys at the airport.
- There are many restaurants that may not have gluten-free options on their menu, but can provide something if asked. If you are traveling to a foreign country, print out your dietary needs in the language of the foreign country you are traveling to. This will help them convey the kinds of food you need, and help them better cater to your needs.
- Avoid most condiments, especially soy sauce.
Prepare and Stick with the Basics While Traveling Gluten-Free!
For people with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, the effects of straying from this diet might not be instant, but they have delayed effects that can have long-term consequences.
Straying from this way of eating is not an option, so preparing gluten-free biscuits, hummus, or sandwiches for a shorter trip is an excellent way to stay consistent with your diet.
Away from home, the internet and research will be your best friend.
FOCUS ON WHOLE FOODS
Stick to the basics of your diet, like fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats, unprocessed products. This will help ensure you will enjoy your travels to the fullest.
Read this if you want to learn some signs you should you be on a gluten-free diet?
If you are traveling during the holidays, consider making my baked scalloped potato casserole recipe. It is a safe bet for bringing a gluten-free recipe that everyone will enjoy.
You might also want to check out my Healthy Holidays Survival Guide & Reset Meal Plan.
If you would like to learn more about my Restore Your Gut Health Program.
Let’s Discuss Gluten-Free Traveling Tips!
Did you learn any gluten-free traveling tips that might be handy on your next trip? Will you be trying out some traveling tips to try if you are living a gluten-free lifestyle?
Let me know in the comments below.
You can also connect with me @Eat_Your_Nutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva
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