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Benefits of Being a Globetrotter, Even with Food Intolerance

by Donna Mastriani on Mar 12, 2024

Food intolerance isn't a reason for you to avoid travelling. Many people look forward to travelling the world, and just because you suffer from food intolerance, it shouldn’t stop you from doing it. There are many tactics you can learn around your food choices so that you can prevent suffering from intolerance symptoms abroad. When you have food intolerances, learning about the specific food intolerance is the best way to manage your illness. You can do this by taking an Intolerance Test. When you do this, you can manage the ingredients and types of food you eat to avoid symptoms. Many people aware of their food intolerances efficiently manage it in their home country; however, going abroad makes it hard to control their food. If you're like this, you shouldn't be afraid to travel because of your intolerance. There are many ways you can manage even when abroad. Food labelling is the main issue that causes fear for those with food intolerances going abroad. The labelling rules could be different or in a foreign language, preventing you from understanding what's in a particular food. Unfamiliar eating spots and restaurants may also have different levels of awareness of food allergens. Everything will be accessible once you learn to travel and survive with food intolerances abroad. You can do this by following the tips below.

Plan before you travel.

Before travelling, you must ask the airline what foods they serve onboard, especially if you have a long flight and must eat. Inquiring about the food options helps you prepare yourself mentally. If all the options they offer contain a food you're intolerant to, you can always explain your issue beforehand, and you'll surely get something different. Calling and inquiring about everything is vital before choosing an airline. That's because some airlines won't make an exception for you, and you might have to stay hungry, which could be stressful if it's a long flight.

Learn your food intolerances in other languages.

Wherever you're going, learn about the name of the food intolerance in their native language. That makes it easier for you to say it in restaurants or know how it's written so you can identify it on the menu if it's written in a different script. Learning how it's written can help you identify it when shopping for items in grocery stores. Having these terms on hand will be easier than needing them and not having them. Even if the primary language is english, some times are similar to those in your country. For example, capsicum and pepper is used interchangeably. There's also eggplant and aubergine, among other foods. Learn what it is called where you travel, and you'll be in a better position to prevent food intolerance symptoms.

Find an app to help you translate.

You can always find an app that helps you translate menus and labels into a language you can understand. Many apps can do this, including Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. You only need to put your app on camera mode when viewing the menu or label. When you view a label or menu through the app, it will overlay the translated text. This can be useful in reading unfamiliar languages like chinese, Indian, or Armenian. You will quickly understand the ingredients and avoid foods you don’t want. You can also consult with a travel guide to help you know the local names of different foods you're avoiding, as you might find they have slang names. Also, it's easier for guides to communicate your preferences when you're eating out.

Find suitable accommodation.

Find the accommodation that allows you to prepare your meals. Opt for accommodations with kitchenettes, allowing you to prepare your meals. By preparing your meals, you can ensure that they're safe. Some allergy-friendly hotels recognize how to prepare foods to prevent cross-contact. You can find hotels where you're going and tell them what you're avoiding if you know how they handle food allergies and intolerances. Allergy-friendly hotels offer specialized services that will cater to you with your food intolerances. The best way of choosing such hotels is by checking their reviews online on places like TripAdvisor. You'll quickly find the experience of others and know whether it's a safe place for you.

Pack your snacks

If you're travelling with an airline that could not be accommodating, you carry yourself something to eat. Carrying something to eat is an easier way to navigate things, primarily if the airline only serves one meal with everything you're avoiding. However, most airlines can accommodate your intolerance if you relate this to them earlier. However, if you're still determining whether they'll be of help, it is necessary to carry your snacks so you dont starve yourself.

Find the right places to dine.

You can check hotel reviews online about food intolerances and allergy accommodations. You can go there if you find a restaurant with good reviews and you're sure they'll serve you well. However, always consider another option because you can never be too sure. Even though the menus are clear, don't solely rely on those. Please speak to the restaurant staff and ensure they understand the items you're avoiding in your foods so you're extra clear on that. You may find a recipe change, so it's best to communicate.

Learn about local foods.

Even though all local foods are different, there's always a theme. For example, most Asian foods use nuts in their recipes. Learn about these everyday ingredients, especially if you want to try street foods. Even though these are yummy and great ways to explore, they can only be good for you if you know what you're eating. When eating street food, there will always be locals around, too, shopping for something to eat. Engage with these people and let them give you insights into what to eat and avoid. Most of the time, people love helping others out, and you'll be glad to learn that you can find a lot of help if you communicate.

Prepare for emergencies

Always carry medications that you might need in case of accidental ingestion of trigger food. These could be antacids and antidiarrhoeal, among other drugs. These can help you mitigate your food intolerance symptoms and stop you from cancelling your activities due to an intolerance episode. Even though you can buy medication in the new country, it may be harder to navigate the exact brand you're used to or even communicate well with the pharmacist about your needs. You can also google the nearest hospital to where you're staying so you can go there if you need further help from a professional. The knowledge of hospital locations can be good for you and others. When travelling, check to see if your travel insurance covers food intolerance medical emergencies so you can be at peace knowing all will be well.

Get travel health insurance.

You can check if it covers food intolerance emergencies and get it. It will help you get help in a new country if you need treatment. When buying travel health insurance, ensure it covers all, if not most, of your needs. Read the fine print and ask questions. Ensure that the insurance you choose is adequate if your intolerance symptoms are severe and you need to visit a hospital.

Final thoughts

Managing food intolerances may seem complex; however, you're good to go with the above tips. Of course, the first step is learning your food intolerances through an Intolerance Test. From there on, you can learn how to avoid trigger foods and how much food you can consume without symptoms. You can prevent problematic food when you know how to navigate different foods abroad.

Author: Donna Mastriani, S.N.H.S. Dip., Nutritionist / Care Manager

Donna has a diploma in Advanced Holistic Nutrition and 10 years customer service experience so is perfect as the Customer Care Manager, who manages the 24/7 team for global support.