Traveling with Food Allergies!

My wife Marie has been dealing with Gluten intolerance for a long time and it can be difficult to find dining options at times.

We are foodies and LOVE to try new dishes, but having a gluten allergy is not always conducive to our love of food. Luckily, more and more places are not only providing options for people with food allergies, but embracing that and creating delicious options. While there is no “perfect” kitchen that is 100% allergen-free, most destinations take food allergies highly into consideration, which makes it a bit easier to enjoy the dining aspect of travel. Here are some of the tips and tricks we have discovered in our travels over the years!

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Wherever you are going, be sure to let the resort or cruise line know well in advance of your food allergy.

• This is especially important with cruise lines. Knowing this information ahead of time will allow them to plan accordingly to provide more variety in menu choices. The ships are stocked in advance so if they do not know your requirements the choices will be limited in order to keep costs down.

• Don't be afraid to speak up about your allergy. In many places, the chef will come to your table to discuss your options. If you feel your server isn't being helpful, don't hesitate to politely ask for more assistance.

• Familiarize yourself with the menus ahead of time to come up with a game plan.

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Use a Vacation Advisor who Understands Travel with Food Allergies

Although you can work with any travel advisor to plan your trip, it is always good to consider working with someone who is already aware of how to navigate food allergies. I understand the difficulties of dealing with food allergies with my wife over the last 28 years! While I may not personally have any food allergies, I am a travel advisor who’s been there, done that and can make sure to take and advise the appropriate steps to help you and your family have a safe & fun vacation!