Learn From My Years of Traveling Abroad with Food Allergies

Step 1: Plane for a Safe Trip

• Customized Allergy Cards
  • Create/buy customized chef cards/allergy alert cards with clear explanations of your dietary needs. Having these cards translated into the language of your destination can help bridge communication gaps. Be sure to include the severity of your allergy and examples of cross-contamination risks in local foods.
  • Moreover using visuals, like pictures of foods to avoid, can also aid in clarity and prevent translation errors.
  • For backup include these cards digitally on your smartphone. However cell phone batteries die when most needed, so always carry a paper copy of the information.
• Renting a Car?
  • Make sure that it has been cleaned and wipe the seats, handles, pockets, controls for mirrors and seats, steering wheel, and any car seats.
• Smart Phone Apps
  • Apps like Spokin and HappyCow can help you find restaurants that cater to food allergies but always call and confirm that the information is current. .
  • Google Translate (iOS, Android): Translates text, including food labels and menus, in many languages but provides pure dictionary translation.
  • For regional translation, use Gemini Google AI. Where searches can be for a specific food’s name in a specific region.
  • Google Lens: Uses a phone’s camera to translate a word. Just point the phone’s camera at a word and get a translation.
• Research Local Allergen Information
  • Before traveling, consult resources like FARE or international allergy organizations for allergen labeling laws in your destination.
  • Look for FARE IFAA Tip Sheets specific to the countries you’re visiting, covering emergency services, medication availability, and common allergens. Traveling abroad with food allergies requires extra awareness—some countries may use different allergen terms or labeling practices.
  • Be aware of foods or preparation methods unique to the area, such as peanut oils or fermented soy sauces, and add them to your avoidance list.
• Learn Key Phrases
  • While an allergy card is helpful, learning how to say essential phrases like “I have severe food allergies” and “Call an ambulance, I am having a food Anaphylaxis shock” in the local language can be invaluable.
  • Practice saying these phrases with a native speaker to ensure proper pronunciation.
  • Record someone who speaks the language fluently, such as a hotel concierge, a travel agent, or a friend,  speaking and translating your dietary restrictions on your phone, explaining your allergy in detail, including the severity, specific foods to avoid, and the necessity of complete avoidance. Save the phrases on your phone under a heading like HELP.
• Engage With Expat Communities
  • Connect with expat communities on platforms like Facebook or Reddit to gain insights about safe dining options, trusted grocery stores, or reliable healthcare providers in the area. These groups often have bilingual members who can help translate food labels or menus effectively.
• Create an Emergency Contact Plan
  To ensure you’re prepared for quick access to help in any situation. Prepare a detailed emergency contact sheet that includes:
  • Local ambulance numbers and hospitals.
  • The nearest embassy or consulate.
  • International allergy organizations.

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Step 2: Communicate  Effectively While Traveling and Especially Abroad

• Your waiter speaks English but does the kitchen??? Often the kitchen staff is from another country. Your translated allergy alert cards for the country may not be understood by kitchen staff from another country. In the Middle East, the kitchen is often staffed with Indians. In the USA often with Spanish speaking staff. Images are a key to ensure your allergies are understood even in the USA.
• Use Visuals and Gestures:
  • A clear visual approach can help if words fail. Carry printed images or use digital photos of foods you need to avoid, marked with symbols like a red X. This can prevent miscommunication with non-English-speaking staff.
  • Sometimes, hand gestures can underscore the severity of your condition; for instance,  For example, you could use your fingers to indicate a small quantity of the allergen, then gesture around your neck and mimic choking. While this might seem exaggerated and can elicit laughter, it effectively communicates the gravity of the situation.
  • Never feel bad about asking multiple times to ensure clarity!
• Contact Restaurants and Hotels in Advance:
  • Reach out to your hotel and selected restaurants before arriving.
  • Inform them of your allergies through email, phone, or WhatsApp. Many establishments appreciate advance notice and can make special arrangements.
  • Confirm they understand allergen cross-contact protocols.
• Be Clear and Specific:
  • When explaining your allergies, be explicit. Avoid simply saying, “peanut allergy.” Instead, specify, “I cannot consume anything with peanuts, peanut oil, or peanut-based ingredients.”
  • Use chef cards/allergy alert cards as a backup and show pictures of unsafe foods if language barriers arise.

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Step 3: Ensure Emergency Preparedness

• Know Local Emergency Services
  • Research the emergency number in your destination country and locate nearby hospitals or clinics. Having this information handy can save critical minutes in an emergency.
  • Make sure your travel companions know about your allergy severity, are familiar with EpiPen use, and know your emergency contacts.
• Travel Insurance and Local Emergency Services
  • Allergies are considered a pre-existing condition for many insurers, so it’s crucial to disclose them purchasing food allergy travel insurance.
  • Confirm that your plan includes coverage for allergic reactions and emergency evacuation if needed.
  • Ensure companions know how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.
• Keep Medications Close
  • Always have your EpiPen, Benadryl, and other necessary medications on your person, rather than in checked luggage or in your hotel room.
  • Keep these items in their original packaging to avoid issues with customs, and remember to carry extras in case of delays or lost items.
  • Have an Apple Air Tag with your epipens and set the Air Tag for notification when it is not with you.
• Safe Storage of Epinephrine
  • Keep your epinephrine auto-injectors at the appropriate temperature.
  • Use insulated cases designed for hot or cold climates, especially in regions with extreme temperatures.
  • Check manufacturer guidelines for specific recommendations.

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Step 4: Dining and Snacking Tips

• Do not use buffet or family-style service. There may be cross-contamination of foods from using the same serving utensils for different dishes.
• Be cautious of fried foods. The same oil may be used to fry several different foods.
• When in Doubt, Skip the Meal
  If you’re unsure about a dish’s ingredients or preparation, don’t hesitate to pass on it. Trust your instincts—miscommunications can happen even with translated cards or apps.
• Go To A Restaurant Chain
  Restaurant Chains usually have a set menu with set ingredients that are the same at all franchises and company restaurants
• Street Vendors
  Although they may have delicious local food BUT usually no concept of food allergies. Be safe and skip the local experience
• When dining out with food allergies, it’s important to it simple
  • Choose simple dishes: Meals that require minimal modifications. A seared salmon with roasted vegetables is easier to adapt than a casserole
  • Substitute but keep it simple: Substitute for something already used on the menu.
  • Avoid sauces and condiments: Often store-bought and may contain common allergens
  • Ask if the food is made in-house: Often times desserts are not made at the restaurant and they can not tell you about ingredients or possible cross-contamination
  • Avoid baked goods and desserts. Often they are not made inhouse
• Carry Safe Snacks
  Pack snacks you know are safe. Solid items like energy bars, dry fruits, and nut-free granola travel well and comply with most customs regulations. For longer trips, bring a portable cooler with frozen ice packs.
• Cook Your Own Meals
  For severe allergies, consider accommodations with kitchen access. Bring lightweight cooking gear, such as a portable rice cooker, collapsible utensils, and a mini cutting board, for ultimate control over your meals. Be sure to research nearby allergy-friendly grocery stores for safe ingredients. Do not use toaster or oven mittens or a cutting board

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Step 5: Stay Flexible and Positive

Despite the challenges, with a little flexibility and a positive outlook, you can still fully enjoy your trip. Remember, preparation is your best defense, and every step you take ensures a safer journey. With careful planning and effective communication, traveling with food allergies doesn’t have to hold you back from an amazing adventure.

Traveling abroad can be one of life’s most exciting adventures, offering a chance to explore new places, cultures, and cuisines. For people with food allergies, however, this experience requires careful planning and extra precautions to ensure safety. Language barriers, differing allergen labeling standards, and unfamiliar culinary practices can make traveling with food allergies daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. By following a few proactive strategies, you can enjoy a worry-free journey.

By integrating these additional strategies, travelers managing food allergies can navigate international travel more confidently and safely. Happy, allergen-safe travels!

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