Photo by Rob!

Having children who are on a special diet due to allergies or intolerances is hard enough.  Travelling while on a special diet, well, that’s another story.  Here are a few tips that might make your travel experience a little easier. 

1. In the airport or while “moving” from place to place.  Take juice and/or special milk with you.  These days, most major airports will allow you to travel with liquids through security if they are for a child.  The liquids will be subjected to “non-evasive” testing for safety and security purposes.  Take food with you.  Don’t rely on restaurants to have food or snacks that will accommodate your specialized diet. 

2. Upon arrival at your destination. Before your trip, kindly ask your host/hostess if they would be willing to purchase a few items for you to have on hand upon arriving. Assure them that you will reimburse them (or thank them if they resist!). Send a detailed list with brand names, product names and store names, if the item is obscure and can only be found in specialty stores.  After settling in, make a quick run to the grocery store  to pick up any other products that your child might need during your stay.

3. Eating out. When choosing a restaurant, ask your host/hostess, or even the conceirge at the hotel, about eateries that use fresh ingredients, like a small cafe or deli. These smaller restaurants are more likely to change recipes or leave out ingredients, to suit your dietary needs, than those larger chains with “premade” foods and dishes that can’t be altered.  Check out restaurants with specialized menus, like PF Chang’s or Outback Steakhouse and their Gluten Free menus.  Make friends with your waiter/waitress.  They are generally very helpful after a brief explaination of  the dietary needs of their customers.  Ask about ingredients. Ask them to go read the labels of the products they you.  If they are uncertain, ask them if you could read the label. 

Having children on special diets presents its own challenges.  With a little planning and help from your host/hostess, travelling will have be a successful, rewardable, and enjoyable vacation.