When it comes to holidays and food allergies, can you have your cake and eat it too?
Yeeep! All you need is a little careful planning and these four tips.
1. Achieve Zen-like preparedness
Even if you’re travelling for fun – and, really, who isn’t? – it’s best to be ready for any possible hiccups. Think of yourself as a martial arts master, with cat-like defensive techniques, anticipating all possible dangers. But, uh, with a bumbag.
So, tell it straight. Speak to whoever will have control over your environment and gently – but honestly – explain the exact nature of your allergy problem/s, and the risk/s associated with an allergic reaction. Be polite, but don’t mince words. If a severe reaction is possible or probable, make clear exactly what that means.
An easy way to start is by contacting your hotel or airline to discuss meal options and ask for advice. If you’ve booked through Wotif, you can easily get in touch via your online itinerary. Click the “Manage Trips” link in the top right-hand corner of the page, then open your upcoming hotel or flight booking. In it, you’ll find options for managing your trip, as well as info for contacting your hotel/airline directly (such as booking reference numbers and contact details). If you’re making a new hotel booking, you can also add a note in the “Special requests” section when you’re on the checkout page.
However you do it, for serious allergies it’s always best to give plenty of notice by speaking to someone before you arrive. While their service will probably be excellent, your hotel restaurant’s waiter or waitress will be very busy and may not understand how important your instruction of “No shellfish” is. Giving your hotel or restaurant a heads-up will help them keep you happy and healthy.
2. Study and plan all aspects of your itinerary
If you or your kids are allergic to a variety of foods, you might prefer to prepare and pack your own meals and snacks every day, rather than risk an allergic reaction to food prepared by someone else. Apartment-style accommodation will make this a cinch – they come with kitchens, which usually include a fridge, microwave, stove top, and prep space.
Once you know where you’re staying, get on your computer and make like a cyber ninja to research all the fresh food markets near your intended route. Take note of opening times and the produce available so you can replenish supplies with the speed and precision of a Formula 1 racer hitting a pit stop. ‘Cause less time spent at the supermarket means more time sightseeing or lazing by the hotel pool.
3. Never forget that holidays are for having fun!
One of the best ways to discover a new country is to dive headlong into its cuisine. Your allergies shouldn’t stop you from having unique (and delicious) foodie adventures, but you may want to consider them when choosing your destination.
If you’re travelling overseas, research the foods of any countries you intend to visit and work out a contingency plan if any common ingredients or menu items make you nervous. Those with an allergy to peanuts, for example, should be particularly careful in places like Thailand, where they’re a staple of many dishes. Conversely, peanuts are rarely used in Spanish cuisine. So, if they’re a big risk to you, why not say “Hola!” to a Spanish getaway instead?
Another potential hiccup for peanut allergy sufferers are those little snack packets handed out on planes, and the nibbly bowls dotted around hotel lobbies and bars. To (briefly) repeat tip 1, planning ahead is key. Prepare for your trip or night out by calling your hotel or restaurant and asking whatever questions you need to. For restaurants, try calling early in the day, when they’re less busy and have more time to chat (and think properly about your questions). Do this well in advance of your trip or night out to avoid surprises.
4. Refine your travel planning until it suits your family
Every allergy sufferer is different, and symptoms, conditions, and treatments affect individuals in different ways. However, the keys to managing food allergies – whether travelling or at home –are always astute foresight and thorough planning.
After your trip, take note of what went right and what (if anything) went wrong so you can be even better prepared for your next adventure. With time, this pre-trip prep will become as easy and automatic as packing your bathers or choosing a good holiday book.
Plan your next holiday
