Gluten-free Journey

Being gluten sensitive, has been pretty challenging for me on the road. My gluten free travel has been a rollercoaster, with a bunch of ups and downs . It was sometimes a minor thing, but other times I struggled a lot, especially while travelling to a foody heaven. Saying goodbye to your favorite meals, or the ones that you are dying to try, can be annoying. While travelling, I want to live like a local and do as they do, but it’s hard to find places in such a short time, when you want to explore the place as well.

In some countries the allergy is taken seriously when you mention it, while in other countries it is not widely known. Gluten might even be mistaken for glucose, weird yes? Although, following the gluten free diet has become a trend. It can get pretty serious for people who actually need to avoid these products, including myself. I always love to make spontaneous travel plans, pack one bag and go were the road will take me, but I have come out of my comfort zone and have gradually learned how to be a planner when it comes to food. Soon, it became my top priority.

Apps and technology have really changed the game and opened up what’s accessible for people with diet needs. You learn new food and the ways of doing things. After all, it can taste like normal or even better. It’s always evolving. You go somewhere like Prague, Sweden or Italy and your mind is blown away. Go somewhere like a small city in rural America and you're limited. All the times I struggled, I cried. I lost 30 pounds of lean chiseled muscle. But, for all those dark nights, there are better days. Yes, it requires more effort, but it has never let me deny my obsession with food and I would love to share the way I do it.

1. Start planning your meal on the road

While this highly depends on which means of transport you are travelling by, you can still prepare yourself in advance. Try not to look at it as a challenge. Road trips can be relatively uncomplicated, you have more space to pack yourself with various snacks, homemade or pre-purchased sandwiches and energy bars, etc. If you are going to take a flight, make sure your gluten free meal on the flight is pre-ordered, or you have your favorite snack in the pocket, otherwise, it can get complicated, especially on long haul flights. Always consider carrying easy meals with you. It can be a life-saver.

2. Book your gluten free meals in advance, or book a place with a kitchen.

Make sure your hotel is informed about your dietary needs and breakfast is pre-booked for you. As another option, booking a place with a kitchen is a perfect solution, giving you the flexibility to cook yourself. Do it and you can travel anywhere. Moreover, it can be an additional fun experience of shopping in the local marketplace, meeting friends, and having fun cooking yourself.

3. Focus on naturally gluten free food

Fortunately, many common foods, fruits, vegetables, meat or fish, rice and corn are naturally gluten-free. Many superfoods are the same as well. If you would like to avoid spending a lot on gluten free products from the supermarkets, try combining your healthy meal plan with your gluten free diet and your body will be extremely grateful. As will your wallet.

4. Explore in advance, say “NO” if you doubt for those that are celiac

1 molecule of gluten can be just as harmful for a celiac, as thousands of it. Always be completely confident that the offered meal does not contain even a bit of gluten. Do not be embarrassed to refuse the meal if you doubt it. Platforms like Findmeglutenfree can be a great help, but never an ultimate guarantee. Ordering food of special dietary needs in a local language can be a great help for you.