Traveling with a child who has food allergies means having to do some legwork before you go. Whether you choose to dine out or eat in on your vacation, or a combination of both, you’ll need to do some pre-planning. The more work you’re able to do in advance, the less likely you are to encounter any pitfalls, disappointments, and most importantly reactions, along the way. Hopefully these tips will help make it even easier!

Eating In

• Make a meal plan – include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
• Focus on meals that are naturally free of your allergens and easy to prepare.
• Focus on meals that have as few ingredients as possible.
• Plan for bag lunches/snacks on your day(s) of travel.
• If you’re staying with family, ask what their plans are for food so you can work something similar into your meal plan or plan meals that are naturally free of your allergens that everyone can eat together.
• To save money, pack some of your staples or things you don’t use a lot of. Examples: if you use ground chia as an egg substitute for your child’s pancakes, pack some in a reusable container and bring it with you. This is much preferable to buying a whole bag when you get there and having to schlep most of it back home with you.
• If you aren’t sure if the local stores will have your gluten-free pasta, or other obscure item, bring some with you.
• Incorporate a visit to a local Farmer’s Market into your trip. It will give you a great feel for the area and you’ll have some fresh veggies to munch on or include in your meals.
• Be mindful of cross contamination.
• Give the food prep and eating surfaces a good scrub down to remove proteins and particles.
• Scrub any nooks and crannies that might be hiding allergens (rims of pots, crevices in slotted spoons) and then run them through the dishwasher for good measure.
• Don’t use wooden their wooden spoons or cutting boards to prepare your food – they are porous and cannot be thoroughly cleaned.
• If you’re staying with family, explain why this is necessary so they don’t think you’ve gone off the deep end.

Dining Out

• Plan ahead:
• Check out websites like Allergy Eats and even Yelp!. Both offer apps for your iPhone or Android device. Keep in mind the information on these sites are given by customers and while they can be a good starting place for information, it’s important you reach out to the restaurant staff yourself and do your own research.
• Call ahead. Speak to the manager of the restaurant and/or kitchen. Ideally, make reservations so they know you are coming.
• Speak to your hostess and server about your needs. Most restaurants are well aware of food allergies and Celiac disease, but do not assume they know how to keep you safe. If you’ve called ahead, this will streamline your experience.
• Carry food allergy cards. These are cards with and explanation of your allergens. They are designed to be given to servers and kitchen staff to help prepare your food safely.
• Bring your own food. I know, this is a major faux pas with restaurants and movie theaters. But there have been times when visiting family where 10 people wanted to go to a particular restaurant where there is nothing safe for my kids to eat. I pack them a meal and if the server or staff asks questions, I explain my children have food allergies. I have never had someone take issue with that response and honestly, I think they’re relieved not to have to deal with the extra work and liability.
• Some resorts, like Disney, are very accommodating to people with food allergies and other special needs. Follow the same protocols of calling ahead and making reservations to make your experience go smoothly.

Traveling with food allergies isn’t care-free. In fact, you may need to rest up from your vacation when you return home. But the experiences travel can provide for kids to connect to distant family, see new places, and encounter the world in a whole new way can be extremely rewarding — for the whole family.

Planes are notorious for the tiny pouches of peanuts they adore handing out. With peanut and other life threatening food allergies steadily rising, it’s surprising that these are still the go-to snacks of so many airlines. Unfortunately, this makes flying with a peanut allergic child a risky venture, but not an impossible one. Here are some special precautions you can to take to make sure everyone has a safe trip.

Call Ahead

Call the airline directly and speak to a real human. Explain that your child has a life threatening peanut allergy. Tell them you will need your flight to be a peanut-free flight, meaning they agree they will not serve any peanuts on your flight. Make sure the person you are speaking to understands this. If you don’t feel confident that they do, ask to speak to their supervisor. Some people ask that the airline provide written confirmation of their request. Some airlines will provide this, some won’t. Some airlines will ask for proof of medical diagnosis, so be prepared to provide this.

Do not accept a ‘buffer zone’ as a solution. Even though the scientific jury is out on airborne reactions, the risk still exists and is significant enough that I wouldn’t take a chance. You don’t want to find out your child reacts to airborne peanuts at 30,000 feet above sea level.

Be Prepared

Have your Epi-pens (in their original box with prescription labels), 2 – 3 single-serving Benadryl, rescue inhaler (if necessary), medic alert bracelet and allergy information cards in your carry-on bag. Some airlines will check carry-on size suitcases if there isn’t enough room in the overhead bins, so be sure all of the above items are in your purse or other small back that can fit under the seat in front of you. If you’re flying with another adult, have them carry two extra Epi-pens just in case. Bring wipes for cleaning surfaces that your child will come in contact with on the plane. (Click here for FAAN information about cleaners that remove peanut allergens.)

BYOF

Bring your own food. Your safest option is to say ‘no thank you’ to the airline snacks and instead bring food from home you know is safe. In addition to packing food for the flight in our carry on bags, we usually pack a small suitcase with food (we have multiple allergies). The bonus is that once the food is eaten we have room for souvenirs and the like.

Double, Triple Check-In

Arrive at the airport with ample time to deal with any unexpected snafus. When you check in, make sure there is a note on your child’s ticket that indicates they have a peanut allergy. When you get to the gate, check to see that the crew has been notified of the allergy. Ensure that they are aware that the airline has agreed no peanuts will be served on your flight. Make sure that you and your peanut allergic child are seated together.

When you board the plane, take a moment to introduce yourself and your child to the flight attendant greeting you at the door in order to make sure they are aware of your child’s allergy. Let them know where you are seated and that you are available if they have any questions about your child’s allergy. You may want to make a recording of yourself by this point, but the more people that are on the same page, the more people that can keep your child safe and prevent a reaction.

Seating Arrangements

If you and your child have to sit with a stranger, explain that your child has an life threatening food allergy. Because many people bring their own snacks and food on planes, politely ask that they not eat any nut products while on the plane. Most people will be happy to oblige your request, but if you get any indication they aren’t willing to be cooperative, ask the flight attendant to switch seats.

The Wipe Down

When you get to your seats, wipe down all the surfaces that your child will have contact with on the flight to remove any peanut proteins (arm rests, seats, tray tables, window area). Look around the seats, floor and seat pouches in front of you for stray peanuts and packaging from the previous flights.

In Case Of Emergency

All of the above will hopefully prevent a reaction, but no situation is foolproof. If your child does have a reaction on the plane, follow the emergency protocol you have previously discussed with your child’s allergist. Notify the airline staff as soon as possible so that medical treatment can be waiting at the gate when you arrive at your destination.

There are a number of things to considering when planning a vacation with a food allergic family member. One of the first things you need to consider is where to stay. By now you are probably fairly used to having to cook a lot of your own meals and you can accomplish this while away from home if you play your cards right. Whether these options will work or not depends on what and how many foods you are avoiding.

Family

If you are fortunate enough to have family members sympathetic and understanding to your food allergy needs, and who are willing to put you up for a few nights, this is a great option. You get to spend quality time with family and maybe even share meals together. As a bonus, this is also a far more frugal option in terms of lodging and dining. Just make sure that the family you are staying with is aware of issues of cross contamination and that you have a conversation about that before hand. You don’t want to show up with your peanut allergic child and have Uncle Fred eating a peanut butter sandwich at the table.

Another important note about staying with people; dog treats are often made with peanuts, peanut butter and/or wheat. If the family you are staying with has a dog, make sure you discuss necessary precautions with your host prior to your arrival.

Suite

Many hotels offer suites with full or partial kitchens. With this option, you’ll be able to plan and prepare a majority of your family’s meals. While these suites may be more expensive, you will save by eating out less, or not at all. When you arrive, make sure you do a thorough scrub down of eating and food preparation surfaces. This link to FAAN has some information about the best cleaners for this job. Usually in these suites, there are food prep items and dishes. Send your partner out to the pool or to play with the kids while you spend a few minutes scrubbing any nooks and crannies that might be hiding allergens (rims of pots, crevices in slotted spoons) and then run them through the dishwasher for good measure. While this is certainly not how most folks envision starting a vacation, if an hour of cleaning risky areas can prevent a reaction then it is worth the time.

Rental property

If you’re going on vacation for a week or longer you might consider renting a house, condo or apartment near your destination. These short term rentals aren’t too hard to find, depending on the area, and typically offer a full kitchen. As with the suites, you’ll want to do a quick, but thorough cleaning in the kitchen/dining areas to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

Hotel Room

While the above options are the most ideal for a family that has to prepare a majority of their own food, you might be able to make a regular hotel room work if your child is only allergic to one or two things. If you at least have access to a fridge and microwave, you can eat some meals in the room. Breakfasts of cereal with milk (or milk substitute), fruit and other snacks, sandwiches, canned soup, etc. It’s not eating like a king for sure, but on the most basic level it could work.

Resorts

If a resort is in your budget, you may find that their restaurants are much more familiar with catering to food allergic individuals than your run of the mill hotel. When planning your vacation, call around to different resorts and ask about their policies. Ask to speak to the person in charge of food services for the resort. Resorts like Disney are famous for being very accommodating to folks with food allergies, and children with special needs in general. Make sure you notify them of your dietary needs when you call to make reservations at individual eateries. Some eateries within the Disney resort may be better equipped to handle food allergies so make sure you ask when you call.

I blindly stuck my hand in my purse and fished around, looking for his Epi-Pen. I couldn’t find the familiar thick plastic injector and dumped my bag out only to find that it was missing. I must have given it to him, or my mother, another time and forgot to get it back. I was horrified, feelings of self-deprecation over my negligence washed over me. I quickly assessed our situation. We were at my mother’s house which is very low risk, he was going to do a 1K fun-run with my sister who was well aware of his allergy, the things and places to avoid and they would be back within a few hours. I relaxed a little, but everyone was on high alert now.

The feelings associated with forgetting his Epi-Pen are not pleasant: guilt, fear and anxiety. The ‘what-ifs’ swirled in my brain. But the reality is, we’re human. We forget things, it happens. I always have his Epi-Pen with me, so assumed it still was. Thankfully the day passed without incident, as all our days (except one) have for the last 10 years that his peanut allergy has been a part of our lives. Our good fortune doesn’t make me naive, though. Instead it’s a stark reminder that I need to always be checking, and re-checking, to make sure we have what we need.

Whether a day out at the park or a week long cruise, there are certain things that families with food allergies have to consider before departing on their excursions. As prominent as anaphylactic allergies are in our lives, important things can be missed in the fray of packing and preparing to be away from home. Hopefully this checklist will help you remember those key things. If your child is old enough and/or developmentally able, have them go through the checklist first so they have a sense of ownership over their health and well being (and you can, of course, double check later).

Pack a ‘day pack’

In a small, zippered bag, place the following:

• two epi-pens
• 2 – 3 single serving bendryl packets
• allergy/restaurant cards
• emergency information card (if needed)
• a rescue inhaler (if needed)

This pack keeps all the critical things in one place so while traveling, when you’re going out for a day-trip on your vacation, or sending your little one off with a family member, you can easily grab it to take along. This is a great thing to have on hand all the time, not just while traveling.

Epi-Pens

Somewhat obvious, but remember the following things:

• check expiration dates and get refills before going
• bring them in their boxes with prescription labels to avoid any hold-ups at airport security
• bring at least 4 with you, ideally 6 for trips longer than a day. Two in the day pack, two with the other adult (who isn’t carrying the day pack) and two in the checked luggage.

Benadryl

Purchase individual serving packets for the day pack and day trips. For long trips or flights, keep a few extra with you (in addition to the ones in the day pack). For trips longer than a day, purchase a full bottle in addition to the individual dose packets (check in your luggage if flying).

Medical Alert Bracelet

Make sure information is accurate and up-to-date and that the bracelet is in good shape. Replace if necessary.

Asthma medications and inhalers

If your child also has asthma remember to:

• check expiration dates
• check counters to ensure there is enough medication for the trip
• don’t forget spacers, if needed
• carry nebulizer and medication, if needed

Allergy Cards

I stumbled on these Food Allergy Cards recently and think they are a great way to notify the staff at restaurants and eateries of your food allergy needs. There are several companies offering these with a variety of information and verbage. Choose the one that best fits your needs, or have ones tailor made for you through a printing company.

For international travel: translated cards can be a life saver — literally.

Emergency Information Cards

In case you are for some reason separated from your child, write out several index cards with the following information on them:

• child’s name, allergens, health concerns (asthma, diabetes, etc)
• parent’s names, cell phone numbers
• local relatives/contacts and their phone numbers (if applicable)
• place one of these cards in the following places: one in each parent’s luggage, in parents purse/wallet, in the day-pack (see below), and in child’s bag/carryon.
• another option: buy ready made ones, these even have your child’s picture on them.

Our lives revolve around food. We need nourishment to be healthy, for our bodies to function and grow, and food also brings us emotional happiness. Sharing food traditions is very important to many families. But when a food allergy enters the picture, it’s akin to an earthquake hitting that huge part of our lives. Our ideas, beliefs, comforts and traditions are shaken up. And as the dust settles, we have to learn new ways of being, cooking and eating.

Traveling with food allergies, especially that first time, can feel like a huge challenge. Everything you have taken for granted previously goes right out the window. Stopping to grab a bite to eat takes on a whole new set of requirements to ensure that everyone in the family can eat safely.

Embracing Change

Some families have a hard time adjusting to this new way of eating. They may feel grief and loss about missing out on traditional love foods or places to eat. They may even avoid traveling because it feels like too much work to figure out how to keep everyone safe. Those are all normal feelings and it’s important to honor them. But don’t let them prevent you from doing what you love as a family. With a bit of pre-planning, you can make traveling and eating on the road safe and fun for the whole family.

New Normal

The good news is that a lot of restaurants and resorts are more aware of food allergies and the impact on their guests. In fact, it’s becoming relatively mainstream. Many restaurants have gluten-free menus, at least. Restaurant managers and wait staff are becoming experienced at responding to customer questions about food allergies.

The bad news is that while they may ‘know’ what food allergies are, they can be unaware of cross-contamination issues and the meticulous way food much be prepared to keep allergenic guests safe. Don’t assume the restaurant knows how to safely handle food allergies. Part of eating out for you is going to have include a conversation with the manager or wait staff to ensure they know how to safely prepare your family’s food.

If you’re feeling a bit anxious about inconveniencing the restaurant staff, don’t! Their job as your server is, well, to serve you. You can always pay them a compliment at the end of the meal by leaving a generous tip. If you prefer, you can call the manager ahead of time and explain your situation; see what the restaurant can offer you in terms of support and reassurance around eating at their establishment. Just make sure you don’t call during the breakfast, lunch or dinner rushes; 10AM – noon and 2PM – 4PM are probably the best times to call.

Creating Traditions

One of the silver linings of having food allergies is experimenting with foods you may not have previously considered. And it sometimes forces you to be creative and come up with new ways of cooking old favorites. For example, we love popcorn, but with several family members sensitive to corn we can’t enjoy it with a movie like we used to. Enter “pop-rice”. So simple: crumble a couple rice cakes into a bowl, drizzle with warm butter (or butter substitute), and sprinkle with salt. Voila! The kids love it and it feels like a true treat for them.

With a bit of research before you travel, you may be able to scout out some restaurants and eateries that are safe and offer unique treats for your food allergic family. There are vegan (egg and dairy free) ice cream shops and gluten-free bakeries to be found. Food on vacation doesn’t have to be a foreboding prospect, it can be a fun treat for all family members with a little bit of planning.

What part of traveling with food allergies most concerns you?