I’ve never been so happy to be at the grocery store. I’m back from my travels and the first thing I did was grab a cart and wander around the store gazing lovingly at fresh produce, dairy, the organic meat stuffs, and of course, the gluten-free snack aisle. I might have gone overboard as the cashier said to me, “Why do you have so much food?” Really. He said that. I said I’d been out of town and was stocking up, omitting the fact that I planned on holing up in my kitchen for the next week and eating without fear.
Because even if you plan, use great apps, and pack a load of snacks,traveling while gluten-free is still not easy. But lucky for you I’ve got a handy-dandy list of dos and don’ts! Oh yes I do.
DO
Pack plenty of gluten-free snacks in case you’re starving and there is no gluten-free food in in sight
DON’T
Leave your chocolate in the car during an intense heat wave that happens to cover the West Coast during your West Coast road trip. Unless you want to have a good cry over melted Dove bars. Which I did.
DO
Know your fast food options when you can’t find any other safe choices.
DON’T
Say, “Well surely I can have the french fries at McDonald’s.” YOU CAN’T.
DO
Pack non-binding pants/skirts/dresses.
DON’T
Live in sweatpants, unless you have much higher self-esteem than I do and can rock the grey elastic waist band comfort.
DO
Try the local fare that everyone’s talking about, just be sure to tell the waitstaff/chef/guy at the counter about your issues.
DON’T
If the local fare is deep-fried everything. (I KNOW.)
DO
Hit the local grocery store when you get to town and buy gluten-free food you can transform into a delicious picnic.
DON’T
Enjoy that picnic in the middle of a Wildlife Preserve. Because of this -
Hi. I am a bear, and I will eat you with a side of cheese.
Article Courtesy: April Peveteaux
Karin Tepley says
While I enjoyed reading this from a cute/funny aspect, it was hardly helpful to some of us that are new to the gluten-free world and are faced with the fear of travel.
Ellen says
And this is why I just purchased a (very) used motorhome. I travel cross country on a regular basis, and find very few reasonable places to eat on the road. Can't afford steak every night!
Dr. Deborah Simmons says
So true! We were just in Destin, Florida and while the groceries there with great stuff for gluten-free and dairy free, EVERYTHING was breaded! Yikes! I'm still getting my body back to normal.