A Two-week Gluten-free Road Trip.

[ArtGirl]

I just got back from two weeks on the road and am happy to report that I did not get sick even once. I thought I'd share what I did in case it should be helpful to anyone else.

We stayed in lodging that had a kitchenette or microwave and refrigerator.

Extended Stay (some good, some not so

[Ursa Major]

Valda, that sounds like a fun trip, and I am glad you managed to be safe the whole time. Nothing will spoil a trip more than getting sick.

I have also stayed in places with a small kitchen before, and those are great. I am sure your tips will help others to have safe and fun trips.

[dbmamaz]

Wow, trying to wrap my head around this . .. hubby wants to take us to canada to see his family this summer. Theres now 2 of us gluten-free, but my allergies are way more extensive than my son's. I'm just TERRIFIED of this. The other thing is i have three kids to take care of and my husband always gets so sick traveling (just from the motion, no matter if its car plane or train) that he's basically useless while we are on the road and for the first day or two after we arrive. We'll be staying with his family, but they're so provincial . . . french canadians, his mother is from generations of farmers . . . i'm just terrified that i'm going to be sick the whole trip. I'm not even confident that my husband will really explain to his mother (who doesnt speak english) how serious this is for me. I mean, i'm not celiac (apparently) but gluten still sends me running to the bathroom and leaves me depressed for several days. I know i'll pack a lot of convenience foods . . . but i'm just terrified . . . .i hadnt really thought about bringing a cooler with meat for the road part, thats probably a good idea.

thanks for being a good role model

[ArtGirl]

Cara, a trip to Canada from Virginia would be a challenge - especially with children and a carsick husband. I think I'd fly if I had the money.

Someone else on this board decided to travel with a small trailer (with kitchen, etc., pulled behind the car) and I thought that was a VERY GOOD idea. You could clean it up good before you leave and do all your cooking in it, even when visiting relatives, and have a safe place to do it. I'd have done that for this trip, but this may be the only long car trip we take so it wasn't a good investment for us.

If you do go, it would be good to send a letter to your monther-in-law. Get it translated into her language (French? - someone here on this board may be able to help you with that). Is she internet savy? - I bet there's a gluten website in French that would explain the problem. A little advance instruction and knowledge sent her way may help a lot toward her understanding of your restrictions and need to keep it safe. (Don't rely on your husband - you're the one with the probelm and you're the one who can best explain your needs.)

However, I'd still make and eat my own food while visiting. I'm 60 and I guess at my age I don't have the patience nor the inclination to p%$#@#foot around other people's feelings when it comes to my health. THEY aren't sick for a week and depressed for two more weeks if they make one little mistake or are inticed to eat what they shouldn't. (I'm not celiac either, but the symptoms are the same, just no damage done)

I hope you work out a practical solution to your traveling.

[brendygirl]

Well, I know why I get cc when I travel! I can't even read that whole post, much less do it all. I'm Scandinavian and we are a stoic people. We are taught never to draw attention to ourselves or ask for special treatment. I've come a long way just sending back food at a restaurant!!

You are amazing!

I'd feel so left out not going out to eat! You are so strong!

You should be proud of yourself!

[Phyllis28]

Cara,

If you fly to Canada you can precook and freeze meals in single servings. I do this. I freeze the meals in plastic containers from the Container Store ( Link at end of post). I pack the meals in a soft sided cooler meant for cans surronded by blue ice mats. I put the cooler in a suit case and check it. One word of caution, you will need to check with Canadian customs to see if there are foods you can not bring into the Canada.

I also do the same when I travel by car only I use a big ice chest. Precooking the meals at home makes the trip a little easier for me.

For lunches on the rode I pack an individual lunch for each person each morning and stick in a piece of blue ice in each one to keep it cold. That way everyone can eat lunch when they are hungry and I am not digging through the cooler and dry food to prepare lunch in the park.

If I am traveling by car I take as much as I can and pick up perishables (milk, fruit ect..) along the way. If I am traveling by plane I locate a store with gluten free food at my destination before I go by using the internet. I only bring my precooked frozen meals and enough food for the flight.

I have also used most of ArtGirls' strategies.

Open Original Shared Link

[one more mile]

Wow thanks. I travel often, I am in fact getting ready to go camping with a large group. I am a bit scared as I am new to this. but I already eat a little non traditional, so bringing food with me when I travel is not new to me. I pack a lot of tree nuts and dried figs as they travel good. They take up little room and are still good to eat after a few hours in a fanny pack and a 4 mile hike.

I have a 5 gallon plastic tub container that I call my kitchen. I always have a cutting board, knives, can opener bowels and cups in it. That way If I have to leave in a hurry I have it all there. I also toss in a few cans, spinach, and pineapple, bags of cooked salmon cans of ham and tuna when I go shopping.

I find that for me I really need one warm meal every two days. For camping I am taking a premade meat loaf and

pork and veggies wrapped in foil. That way I can cook with other people but not worry about cross contamination.

Wish me luck!

one more mile