Don’t we all idealize family vacations when we book a getaway? I sure do. This will be the trip where nobody argues. Everyone sleeps. I’ll relax on the beach with a novel. But then, before I’ve even finished packing, all of the practical realities start hitting me in the face.
For parents of children with severe allergies or celiac disease, those practical realities can feel overwhelming. Where we do stop for dinner on the road? Does the airline serve peanuts? Parents can feel torn between wanting to introduce their children to new experiences and keeping them comfortable in their safe, vetted routine.
But the truth is, you can have it all (at least in the food department) on a family trip. It’s all in the preparation.
Advocate Before You Leave
Parents of children with allergies are always advocating, but so much of this hard work can be done in advance.
For air travel, research airline allergy policies and book with an airline that takes your needs seriously. Many airlines offer allergen-free meals when preordered in advance, including American Airlines and United Airlines. Some airlines do not serve peanuts as a policy (American Airlines; JetBlue) while others, such as Delta, will refrain from serving peanuts on a flight if notified of an allergy in advance. Airlines will also often accommodate preboarding requests to allow passengers the opportunity to clean their seat areas for traces of allergens.
For food, research the restaurant options in advance as well. My son has celiac disease, so I rely heavily on the Find Me Gluten Free and Atly apps, platforms which help me identify gluten-free friendly restaurants. For broader allergy restrictions, consider AllergyEats, a guide to finding allergy-friendly restaurants across the United States.
And don’t forget about your local community and parent groups! Allison Wiseman, RD, CDE, LD, of Wiseman Nutrition & Wellness, reminds us that “Parents are a mighty force.” She recommends leaning on community groups to find those who might have navigated the same issues while traveling. “Word of mouth can be really powerful for finding something accessible and kid friendly,” she says.
Once you’ve found potential restaurants, review the menu and call the establishment to understand the safety practices. A menu might list a food item as “gluten free” but is it safe for celiacs? How do they handle other allergens and cross contamination? Wiseman advises, “the less you’re navigating on the spot with your child there, the better.” While it’s important that they understand their own food restrictions, your kids don’t necessarily need to know all of the legwork involved on vacation.
It helps to identify a couple of family-favorite chain options where you know your child can eat safely (and happily). Chipotle, for example, does not use peanuts, tree nuts, sesame or shellfish in any of its dishes, nor does it use eggs except at locations which serve breakfast. Having a few trusted standbys can take the guesswork out of eating on the road.
And, if you’re planning to travel with friends or family, make sure that they are fully aware of your child’s needs in advance. Set expectations. Offer to bring food as a way to contribute, or plan to eat separately when needed. If everyone can act as a team, there’s less risk of disappointment or resentment.
Pack Your Bags
You’ve researched and planned and set expectations, but now it’s time to pack. Here are a few key items to put on your list:
- Snacks: Whether you’re stuck in traffic or your train gets delayed, you need snacks. Wiseman recommends including a protein source – something satiating and fueling. Depending on your child’s restrictions, you can consider nuts, cheese or jerky. Keep them accessible and make sure they’re something your child enjoys!
- Two Epinephrine Auto-Injectors: If your child has allergies, don’t forget to pack your epinephrine auto-injectors – plural. It’s important to bring a backup pen in case you need to use one. You also can purchase an insulated carrying case to ensure they remain at the proper temperature while traveling. Don’t forget to check the expiration date before you leave and to keep the pens in an easily accessible location (i.e., not in your checked bag).
- Disinfecting Wipes: In the case of life-threatening allergies, bring disinfecting wipes to clean tray tables and arm rests on airplanes or trains.
- Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan: In case of emergency or a need for documentation, bring your child’s Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan. The plan, created by Food Allergy Research & Education, outlines recommended treatment in case of an allergic reaction, is signed by a physician and includes emergency contact information. It’s also available in Spanish.
- Equal Eats Card: If you’re traveling out of the country, consider bringing an “Equal Eats” allergy translation card. Equal Eats creates stock and customized translation cards to better communicate allergies, intolerances and celiac disease to food service professionals around the world.
Enjoy the Food!
There are some rules you can’t break when your child has a life-threatening allergy or celiac disease. But there are others that I freely break when we travel. One of them is the strict idea of a “balanced meal.” If my kids are hungry and the safe options are limited, I might suggest ice cream for dinner. It makes all of us feel like we’re really on vacation and my son doesn’t feel penalized for having celiac disease.
While Wiseman prioritizes foods that fuel, she tries to stay away from rigid behavior. What’s important, she advises, is that no one feels like they are missing out and they’re having a fun adventure.
So, once the prep work is finally complete, take a deep breath and enjoy the experience. Who knows, maybe this really will be the trip where nobody argues!
Jennifer Brechbill is a lawyer, writer and mom of three. You can find her on LinkedIn or Instagram (@glutenfree_with_g).
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Jennifer Brechbill is a lawyer, writer and mom of three. You can find her on LinkedIn or Instagram (@jenniferbrechbill).
