Vacationing is all about rest and relaxation, right? Not exactly. Especially when you’re on a long road trip and maintaining a gluten-free diet. There are several Americans living with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerances. For this reason, traveling can be stressful and cause a lot of worries that those with these gluten issues won’t find gluten-free foods. If you fall into this category, don’t panic! There are several tips and tricks you can do to be sure you can eat while on the road.
“When you’re traveling, you’re don’t have a choice but to eat out. Most likely, you won’t be familiar with the local restaurants,” says Gluten-Free blogger, Jennifer Christ. However, there are ways around it where you can travel without worrying about food. All it takes is a little knowledge and a little preparation. Check out our tips:
Prepare Your Own Gluten-Free Snacks Before Hitting the Road.
If you have meals and snacks that you like, prepare are much of those as possible before you leave to take with you on the road. If you’re staying in a hotel, be sure they have a microwave in the room so you can heat up your meal.
Search Around for Restaurants Offering a Gluten-Free Menu
If you know which highway(s) you’re taking to get to your destination, be sure to do some research and find which restaurants offer a menu that is gluten-free. Also, wherever you may be staying, it’s important to know the local gluten-free restaurants in the area ahead of time as well.
Hit the Grocery Store Before Leaving
You may need to do some shopping at your grocery store to stock up on your favorite snacks, cookies, crackers, etc. Grab a few microwaveable dinners as well, if you aren’t planning on cooking for this trip. Make sure you bring more than you think you’ll need. Roads trips are long, and you WILL get hungry often.
Try to Avoid Eating at a Restaurant During Peak Hours
During the busiest hours, chefs are likely to overlook your gluten-free instructions, which may also lead to cross contamination. If you’re going to dine out, be sure to go as soon as the restaurant opens for lunch, right after the lunch rush (around 2pm-3pm) or right before/after their dinner rush.
Travel With People You Trust:
Wherever you may be going, it’s best to make sure you’re traveling with someone who knows you well enough to know what you can and cannot eat. This will help you feel more comfortable with what you consume, and if you are tempted to eat something that may cause harm. These travel partners can help monitor your food intake, in case something goes wrong.
