Airplane Food/taking Food On Airplanes

[leadmeastray88]

Okay so everyone knows that with the enhanced security at airports now we can't take our own food on.

And when flying overseas (9+ hours) every year like I do, I'm bound to get hungry And these days on the planes they only offer sandwiches as their meals (here on Canadian airlines anyway), and even if there were hot meals who knows whats in those.

So, does anyone know if have they passed a law to let people with food allergies take their own food on planes?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[AndreaB]

It's been about 1 1/2 years since I was on a plane, but we could bring our own sandwiches. I know that, because we did make sandwiches and they were ok. We had left over nut butter and jam left over and we had to throw that out since it was in jars. They wouldn't allow it for carryons.

I would think you'd be able to bring snack type foods as well. Maybe you could call the airline and see.

[ShayFL]

I just flew two months ago with all sorts of food in my back pack. It went through the x-ray and they didnt say a word. They did, however, make me toss my hair gel. The crime: it was 4.5 ounces and the limit is 3 oz. Oh brother!!

The dont allow liquid. So you will have to "buy" water once on the other side of security. But this is no big deal.

I packed a huge bag of almonds, 3 apples and a sandwich. It all made it through just fine.

[ShayFL]

And most good airlines will accommodate you. Request a "gluten free" meal. But have your own just in case.

[tarnalberry]

You can't bring liquid, but you can bring food. I fly a couple times every year, and it's not a problem! A gel pack in a cooler might be a problem, but food, no.

[leadmeastray88]

Thanks for your replies, this is great help!

[blueeyedmanda]

This is a good topic since I am going to fly at the end of the month for the first time in 10 yrs....and I am terrified. Now it is only a 2hr flight but I will need my snacks to get my through the anxiety part....

[Phyllis28]

As long as the food is solid it's ok. DON'T bring liquid or gel like substances. No drinks, pudding, yogurt ect.... I put it in a soft sided lunch box in my carry-on. If you want to keep things cold bring along some ziplock bags and ask at one of the food places that they be filled 1/2 way with ice. Since the flight is so long you can ask the flight attendent for a cup of ice to refill them.

I also agree with the suggestion to call the airline a see if you can request a gluten free meal.

[ShayFL]

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[wilem008]

Im really glad someone started this topic!

In about 3 weeks Im travelling to the US for 3 weeks! (We're going to L.A, San Fran & Vegas! Also have a few days in Taiwan on the way home - I live in Australia).

I havent been formally diagnosed with Celiac but have been trialing a gluten-free diet for the last two weeks and I believe it has been helping so I plan to stick with it a little while longer!

Ive been dreading travelling! One of my flights (Taipei to L.A) is 12 hours long!

I guess I'll just try and pack as many gluten-free snacks as I can and ask my travel agent to call the airline and request gluten free meals! Hmm, It could be tough to find gluten-free meals in airports too, I guess I'll just have to do my best!

Im hoping being on this diet wont affect my having fun on my holiday! Im going with 4 friends and I dont want to be 'a pain in the ass'...lol.

Incedently, we are spending two days in Anaheim - Disneyland....Will there be gluten-free meals I can buy when we're at Disneyland or should I take my own food there too?

As anyone else flown around the world on a gluten-free diet? Any tips?

Thanks,

Erin

[mushroom]

  wilem008 said:

In about 3 weeks Im travelling to the US for 3 weeks!

Erin

Me too, about the same time, 12 hrs Auckland to San Fran. I booked on-line and Air New Zealand had a gluten-free option in special meal requests, so I checked that. But for the hanging around times I am taking Leda and Bee-Nutritious Bars and fruit and cheese and rice crackers. Coming back I guess I will substitute Lara Bars.

[psawyer]

  wilem008 said:

Incidently, we are spending two days in Anaheim - Disneyland....Will there be gluten-free meals I can buy when we're at Disneyland or should I take my own food there too?

I haven't been to the Disneyland Hotel or the park since my diagnosis, but I have heard many times from others on this board that both are very accommodating to people with dietary issues, including celiac disease. Prior to diagnosis, I visited the park several times and stayed at the hotel once while traveling on business.

Enjoy your trip.

[NorthernElf]

I'm a Canadian travelling to England in July. I was able to get a gluten free meal on Air Canada. Definitely call your airline...some flights are too long to go without safe food !

As for packing food, I understand the UK has gluten free readily availble, to some extent, but I have some internet sleuthing to do to make sure !! Not sure if I will pack any food but if I do, I will certainly call the airline first to see what's "legal". What are the odds - my brother lives over there and his girlfriend from Denmark has celiacs !! I've never met her but she has passed us some info through my parents about where to get gluten-free stuff.

FWIW, all my toiletries will be in my checked baggage.

[elonwy]

Disneyland is awesome for gluten-free food!. When you get to the park, go to City Hall on Main Street (its just inside the gates). They have a list of places to eat gluten-free in Disneyland that is updated once a month. They even have gluten-free breads and hot dog buns at certain vendors. I would try to avoid the lunch rush (12-2) but there are plenty of options.

SF, also awesome for gluten-free food. If you get over to Oakland check out Cafe Mariposa or Cafe Rustica (Pizza!) Be aware the corn "wheat-free" crust at Rustica is not the gluten-free one, make sure you specifically ask them for the gluten-free crust.

As for planes, I agree with everyone. I have flow tons since the airlines cracked down. Nothing that can be percieved as a gel or a liquid. I take cheese and meat slices and crackers, bags of nuts and dried fruit, chips, bars and load up like I'm going camping. That way I don't have to worry about keeping it cold (cheese and salami won't go bad in 12 hours) and also I don't have to worry about throwing it away if I don't eat. Just beware the people with their biscotti crumbs next to you. (The last flight I was on a woman dumped her bag of biscotti crumbs into my baggie of dried fruit as she was handing the trash to the attendant..sigh)

[Alz]

When I came over to the USA in December I managed to bring some snack bars on the plane with me without a problem. My mum had an apple with her last year when she came over and was told to get rid of it because she was sent randomly through an agriculture check but that was at the other end so she could have eaten it on the plane if she wanted to.

When I booked I rang the airline to request a gluten free meal. Was really tasty too and my husband said he wished he'd asked for a gluten free one because his wasn't that appetizing!

I also did the same when I went to Egypt last year too. Most airlines accomodate for Gluten Free I found if you tell them in advance.

[Takala]

If I have to travel I start converting my metabolism over beforehand to fat burning and not carb burning by reverting back to something resembling an Atkins or specific carbohydrate diet... very low carb, higher fat and proteins, little or no grain. I will eat vegetables as a part of the meal beforehand, also, to provide fiber, which helps hold water. When you eat like this, you don't get the bad blood sugar drops that come from metabolizing carbs and you can go a much longer time without feeling "hungry." Then I carry snack food that is the same way... high protein and fat, low carb, like nuts, jerky, chocolate. elonwy had it right... think camping food.

I don't have any experience with overseas flights but I also have been reluctant to ever try one because I really don't like dealing with airlines here in the United States with the long lines, delays, cancellations, and being stranded for hours in airport security check in holding areas, where there is little or no really guaranteed safe food to purchase. I also am NOT fond of snotty stewardesses who have harassed me for having both a legal sized backpack AND a small legal sized carryon bag, and have tried to intimidate me into checking the bag after I have stood in lines for hours getting thru security to get on the plane, because the plane is overcrowded... I have no intention of letting them forcing me to chose between misplacing my underwear or my emergency food snacks if they misplace a checked bag. And the airlines wonder why they are losing business.... they don't provide meal service on an awful lot of domestic flights now, and they expect people to buy food off of airport vendors.... well, that doesn't work for people who can't eat airport food. And this isn't just the gluten intolerant, because there are a lot of people with other food restrictions and don't forget parents with tiny tots who need to eat pudding and soft pureed baby food, they can't even bring on stuff either if it doesn't come in the correct sized container.

[babysteps]

all good advice here!

For water, I bring my bike bottle, empty, and refill it inside security at a water fountain. Free, and in accordance with security rules

For cooling, you can freeze some items (lara bars, chicken, etc.) and they will help keep everything cool - works best on long trips, on short ones you don't want your snack food to be frozen when it's time to eat!

Many airlines don't count take-on food bags as a 'carry on', so if you pack your food in a re-used carry-out bag from a food store/restaurant that might help.

Airlines, intercontinental or first class gluten-free meals can usually be obtained, but domestic coach are usually not offered in the US (of course most airlines don't have meals of any kind domestic coach anymore!).

[gymnastjlf]

Just an FYI, some of the airlines (US Air for sure) are cracking down on carry on bags-- they are being very strict in enforcing the carry on requirements, and an extra bag of food WILL count as a carry on item!

Many airlines don't count take-on food bags as a 'carry on', so if you pack your food in a re-used carry-out bag from a food store/restaurant that might help.

Airlines, intercontinental or first class gluten-free meals can usually be obtained, but domestic coach are usually not offered in the US (of course most airlines don't have meals of any kind domestic coach anymore!).

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Be aware that policies differ from airport to airport, and you depend on the whim of the security person. I've had tuna, cheese, cream cheese, and other foods confiscated, as well as yogurt cups that were only 3 ounces.

That's a great idea, bo freeze Larabars and other foods to use to keep food cold!

I bet you could pack leftover nut butter and jam in baby-food containers, as long as it's under 3 ounces, and as long as you get a sensible security person.

[elonwy]

I also carry a triumph dining card at the ready to whip out, cause its pretty official looking, to show to people "see I can't eat food, don't take my food from me". I have yet to have anything confiscated, and I travel a bit for work.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

  elonwy said:

I also carry a triumph dining card at the ready to whip out, cause its pretty official looking, to show to people "see I can't eat food, don't take my food from me". I have yet to have anything confiscated, and I travel a bit for work.

Ooh--great idea, I never thought of whipping it out at the airport (lamebrain!).

[mftnchn]

I travel internationally at least yearly. My stand-by is to carry cashew nuts. I have had luck recently with getting gluten free meals on Korean airlines.

Security doesn't really seem to have a standard response, so you can have the gamut of responses. Check with your airline in advance to see if they can code your boarding pass in any way.

For Taipei be aware that most Chinese food has soy sauce and is not gluten free. You could have plain rice, and fruit.

[C6H0 KKG]

Whenever I fly, I get a signed note from my doctor saying I have a medical condition and that I must bring my food with me. I usually keep it on hand whenever I go anywhere vacation-y; it even got me a complimentary minifridge for a hotel room that didn't come with one! I've never had a problem (except at an amusement park once, where it came in handy!) but I like to think this would give me the backing to challenge anyone who would try to take my safe food away!