Living gluten free at home can be challenging enough, but what happens when you want to go on holiday, especially a holiday abroad? It can feel like you’re stepping well outside your comfort zone. But, if you plan ahead, going on holiday with coeliac disease can be stress free.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the things you can do to make your holiday simpler and safer, both while you’re travelling and when you arrive.

Planning ahead for gluten free holidays

The key to successful travel is planning. It’s possible to book a specialist gluten free holiday or cruise, but this will limit your choices, and probably cost you a lot more. However, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy most destinations and holiday styles, as long as you plan ahead.

If you are thinking of an all-inclusive trip, or a holiday with meals provided, make sure you let your tour operator know well in advance that you require gluten free meals. Most hotels can cater for this if they have enough notice.

For long haul flights, where meals are provided, you also need to let your airline know Introducing yourself when you board the plane will make sure your gluten free meal does not go to the wrong person.

Eating out abroad

One of the joys of foreign holidays is eating out and sampling the local cuisine. Coeliac UK produce detailed venue guides to help you find gluten free eateries at home and abroad

Fortunately, you can download and print off hand restaurant cards free of charge at celiactravel.com. These are available in 63 different languages, and explain your condition and the type of food you need to avoid.  Restaurant cards not only help with the language barrier. But, they also ensure that your important message is delivered directly to the chef, and isn’t lost in translation as it passes along to the kitchen.

Buffet style meals can be great for coeliac sufferers, as they can provide a wide range of options. However, you need to watch out for cross contamination. Make sure that serving spoons are not shared between dishes and avoid dishes that are presented next to gluten rich foods.  For your own piece of mind, check with the kitchen that the gluten free items have been prepared away from the gluten containing foods.

Self-catering for peace of mind

To be extra sure of what you are eating, you may prefer to cook your own food while on holiday. Using gluten free products that you’ve brought with you or bought locally. If you plan to take your own gluten free products abroad, make sure you check that there aren’t any food import restrictions for the country you are visiting. Or you could lose your precious cargo at customs.

Food labelling is standard across the EU, so you can shop with the same care and caution that you do at home. However, it can vary widely in other countries, and gluten free products may not always be what they seem. Make sure you learn to recognise the keywords and phrases on the ingredients list of products in the local language, and if in doubt, don’t risk it. Stick to naturally gluten free foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, rice and pulses.

Snacks are essential

The real secret for success on any holiday, at home or abroad, is to make sure you have plenty of gluten free snacks. Just in case you get caught short of options. Most hotel rooms will have a kettle. So, you can make gluten free noodles quickly and easily, even if you can’t find gluten free products in the local store.

Remember, there’s always a risk of delays at ports and airports, or even on the road, so make sure you pack plenty of products as snacks to keep you going while you are travelling.

Planning a holiday with coeliac disease may seem daunting at first. But, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy that sunshine break or skiing trip with confidence. After all, they say that world is your oyster, and oysters are gluten free!

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