Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Flying And Travelling With Celiac And Hotels, Etc

KnightRobby

By KnightRobby
in Traveling with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

KnightRobby Enthusiast
KnightRobby
Posted

Hey everyone.  Hope you all are doing well.  I run 2 networks that are becoming quite successful and have been doing them from home.  I have been told it is highly likely I will be flown out to San Francisco and Sweden in 2015.  To be honest, I hardly have traveled, which is something I regret but it has been primarily because of my crappy health.

 

I would of course have to stay in a hotel.  Anyone familiar with traveling inside and outside of the US or even Sweden when dealing with Celiac?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


SMRI Collaborator
SMRI
Posted

I travel quite a bit for work but mostly driving.  I leave this week for 2 months on the road.  I have a cooler that plugs into my car to keep some food cool between hotel stops and have found quite a bit of individual serving sizes of food and snacks to take.  You probably can't fly with most of that food but you should be able to find similar at grocery stores.  Traveling abroad, check the travel forum here to see if anyone has gone to Sweden??

 

In the US, I try to find extended stay type hotels as much as I can so I can cook for myself.  For this trip I'm bringing my toaster oven and hoping that I can use it in hotels that are not extended stay.  At minimum a room has to have a microwave and mini-fridge.  I've also done some research for known gluten-free restaurants where I will be staying.  Sometimes there are great options, Red Robin, Jason's, etc., sometimes there is nothing.  It's going to be an interesting 2 months that is for sure.

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

We found the pre-packaged "lunches" from GoPicnic to be great for travel.  They are shelf stable, small, and light.  We had no problem getting them through airport security.  Check them out, they have several gluten free options.  My son even keeps a few at school and one in his backpack for "emergencies."

 

You can also get cards to print in different languages to explain your situation when eating out in a foreign country.  You can give it to the chef and they can help steer you to safe choices.  Due to cross-contamination, I would stick to naturally gluten free choices (steamed vegetables, salads, grilled meats without marinades, etc.) just to be safe.  You don't want to be sick while traveling.

 

We always bring some of our favorite cookies or some good chocolate when traveling.  I found that dessert was the hardest to find . . .

sweetsailing Apprentice
sweetsailing
Posted

I travel frequently for work and just got back from San Fransisco.  Northern california is a gluten free haven.  Many resturants are gluten free or have gluten free menus.  Great food in the area. 

 

As far as airports and hotels, I have had luck finding stapes such as hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit (bananas, apples, etc), almonds, kind bars, and I have even noticed that some airport hudson news magazine stores are carrying the GoPicnic pre-packaged lunches.  However make sure that you read the box carefully, not all GoPicnic lunches are gluten free. 

 

If I am renting a car, I will look for a whole foods in the area, if I am going to be there more than just an overnight and stop in there for some staples for the hotel or get dinner from the deli there if I am not eating out with clients. 

 

The hardest thing for me has been making sure I tell people (clients) ahead of time about diet/food concerns for lunch if it is provided in the office.  I always feel like it's a bit of an imposition and will end up eating a salad or being hungry and eating more later. 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Sweden has a celiac group --there is a high incidence of celiac disease there. I would contact them and ask for help. Those cards written in most languages are very useful.

SMRI Collaborator
SMRI
Posted

Does anyone have a link to those cards?  I know my GI's office showed them to me but I can't remember the name of them!!

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

google dining cards - Triumph is one brand

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


KnightRobby Enthusiast
KnightRobby
Posted
  • Author

Okay great.  Thank you all for the info.  I'll have to look up those GoPicnic lunches.  I've never heard of them until now.  Too bad options are limited when taking stuff on the plane.  That's the real pain in the butt to be honest, but it is what it is.

 

And yeah, I have a friend in Sweden and did some homework on Celiac in that area.  I guess they had a major epidemic in the 70's.  They managed to reduce the amount of children getting Celiac by changing the formula they were fed when babies and reducing Gluten foods.  Anyway, definitely worth reading up on imo.  Seems like scientists can learn a lot from Sweden and their outbreak.

Pauliewog Contributor
Pauliewog
Posted

I have an app on my iphone for cards. It has a pull down menu and you can choose a various languages. It's called gluten-free Restaurant Cards. Swedish is on there.

Alwayssomething Contributor
Alwayssomething
Posted

I travel quit a bit, out of the country only to Aruba and Mexico which is a pretty short flight.  But whenever I fly in the country I always take nuts, go picnic meals, or Snyders pretzel sticks and the individual "bowls" of Peanut butter.    Those types of things always make it through security in my carry on.   For my checked luggage (probably the only reason I have to check luggage)  I pack cheese that doesn't need to be refriderated, skinny cow or something like that, crunchmaster crackers, pepperoni and things I can open and refriderate when I arrive, individual bags of instant gluten free oatmeal work great for hotels.      In the grocery store of other countries I only found fresh meat, fruit and veggies to be reliable, everything else was usually written in something I couldn't read, so I didn't take a chance on anything.     Personaly I don't travel with a crockpot, or hot plate or anything like that I do a lot of research and send emails to restaurants asking all the questions I can and I take that email printed and aske to speak to the person who answered me if I need to.    If I don't have time to research that is trickier.   

LadyT84 Newbie
LadyT84
Posted

I am new on the site, and just want to say thanks for the great ideas.  I am getting ready to travel to West Africa for 2 weeks, and was freaking out about keeping all my food gluten free on top of all the other precautions.  I checked out the gopicnic site, amazing!!! I am getting ready to order a bunch!! Such a wonderful idea.  I plan to take quite a few for the flight and to eat while I am there so I don't have to worry about eating gluten or food contamination.

 

Has anyone had an issue with TSA making you throw your prepackaged food away? My friend flew from Baltimore to Cali and they made her throw away her granola bar.  I am worried I won't have anything to eat for a 12 hour flight if they make me throw these away at security.

Alwayssomething Contributor
Alwayssomething
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

 

I have never been asked to throw away any food I have tried to take aboard.   I looked on the TSA website and it looks like most things they will not let you bring aboard or things that are gel or liquid type, I do see that they list spreads like cheese and peanut butter, but your go picnic meal will be sealed so I can't imagine them giving you trouble with the cheese spread and I have taken both cheese spread and idvidual cups and envelops of peanut butter and have never been asked to throw them away, maybe becuase it is a sealed package and not something I packages myself?   Looks like on that link there is also an app you can download so if you have questions about an item.    Hope that helps some.   I LOVE to travel, we head out this afternoon for a 10 day trip but we are driving for this one. 

gilligan Enthusiast
gilligan
Posted

Get a letter from your doctor stating you have severe dietary restrictions and need to travel with your own food.  I just got back from San Francisco, also.  I didn't find it as easy as others have mentioned to find gluten-free restaurants, and the ones I did find are very expensive.  Mariposa Bakery, Pier 23, and the San Franciscan (all on Embarkadero) have gluten-free options.  I used a travel blog to find gluten-free foods in airports, and it was a dismal failure, except for listing CIBO (an organic grab n go).  I got a pretty good turkey sandwich.  

Nikki2777 Community Regular
Nikki2777
Posted

Make sure that the GO Picnics you get are the Gluten Free ones - I was excited to see some at an airport until I realized they weren't gluten-free versions.

 

As others have said, San Francisco should be easy.  I imagine Sweden also won't be too bad, but I'd bring some things just in case.  Most Swedes speak decent English.  

 

When I've traveled overseas recently, I've e-mailed the Celiac Society of each country (googled for the name) and asked them for advice, for the local words, and brands/stores where I can stock up on things to eat in my hotel room.

 

Good luck.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,547
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    gizmo1jazz2
    Newest Member
    gizmo1jazz2
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.