Buckle Up! We're going on vacation with food allergies.

Packing is never a good time. But packing with food allergies/any allergy is even more challenging. In my last travelling with food allergies post Food Allergies: Planning ahead for summer outings part 2 we talked about tips for travelling with food allergies. But now, it's time for me to put those into play.

This trip we are travelling by car. For us, this is actually the easiest way to travel with food allergies. The first thing I did was to make a grocery list of what I need to bring in terms of dry goods. For this trip I'm trying not to pack anything that needs refrigeration. The trip is going to span two days and that is just not practical. But dry goods brought from home are easily transported by car.

Another list is the list of kitchen items that I need. We've rented a condo. And although it comes with a fully furnished kitchen, due to cross contamination, I don't feel comfortable using much from the kitchen. What will I bring?
Mixing spoons
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups
Baking pans
Toaster

Foil
Baggies
Dish sponge

Pot for boiling pasta
Colander
Pan for frying

I've also done research to find the local grocery stores and to see if there is a Whole Food or Trader Joe's near by (which there is not). I'm not familiar with the grocery stores, so I've posted on the BabyCenter Food Allergy Board and asked if anyone is familiar with these grocery stores and if they have organic/natural foods sections and if they carry any gluten free items. Each store is different so I don't expect to find the exact items at our store but if one seems to be better than the other than I will know where to head. I can also call the stores ahead of time and ask questions about what they carry. I also won't forget to bring my Gluten Free Grocery Guide just in case. Googling "natural or organic food stores" for the area was no help but I found a lodging review by where we are staying that stated "The hotel helped us find a natural foods store near by where we could buy items for our son who was on a medically restricted diet". So although I couldn't find one, I know there is one and will go to that hotel and ask about it if we need to.

I also googled "gluten free restaurants" and came up empty, but I do know that there is a Chik Fil A not too far from us so at least he can have french fries if need be. Also I found some restaurant reviews from where we are staying where people stated that they were very good with their food allergy needs. We will check that out for ourselves, but that is promising. Being summer I'm also hoping for roadside farm stands. Those are my favorite! There's nothing like fresh, farm produce.

I've also made a list of emergency phone numbers and a list of all the medication we need to bring. I'd hate to forget anything, but our pharmacy number is on that emergency list and I know that they'd help us if I did.

So that's what I've got so far. What an I forgetting? What else do you do to prepare for a trip with food allergies? What's the one thing you won't leave home without?

Our car in previous years of travelling with food allergies. It ain't pretty...

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Comment by Janeen on June 28, 2010 at 9:49pm: Oh, I forgot to mention that because we have no idea what kinds of restaurants we'll find along the way, I always pack lunches and snacks in the front seat that my son (and the rest of us) can eat along the way. I like to bring a cooler that is on the smaller side that has yogurt, string cheese, lunch meat, sandwiches on safe bread, fruit, water, etc. I also pack chips, pretzels, and safe breakfast bars. If we do find a safe restaurant along the way we mark down the exit number so we can locate it on the return trip.

Comment by Ellen S on June 29, 2010 at 10:35am: I LOVE this post Janeen!!! Especially the photo which tells at a glance the extremes those with food allergies must take to be safe. I remember traveling being a great experience for everyone in my family but me. I absolutely dreaded vacations. Hated them. Thank goodness there are so many more options out there now for you and your family than we had for mine 20 yrs ago!

The only other thing I'd add is to be sure you have a written list of your emergency numbers, medications, and any other health details an emergency room doctor may need to make good decisions if something should go wrong or there is an accident. You may not be able to tell them the information they need, so it's good to have it written somewhere - a wallet purse or glove box - where emergency personnel will look. Make sure relatives know where it is located as well as each member of the family, in case someone other than yourself needs to retrieve it or tell someone about it.

Love those roadside stands too!!!

Comment by Food Allergies To Go on June 29, 2010 at 1:28pm: Hi,
If you let me know your destination I might be able to help with restaurants. If it's not listed on www.FoodAllergiesToGo.com, there might be something in my pile of restaurants that have not yet been posted. Are you trying to avoid anything in addition to Gluten?
Ann@FoodAllergiesToGo.com

Comment by Janeen on June 29, 2010 at 3:09pm: Hi Food Allergies To Go,
Thanks for stopping by!! I had already checked your site and didn't see anything listed for where we are travelling. We are avoiding wheat, rye, barley, oat, eggs and tree nuts (all food allergies). I will email you with our destination to check and see if you can further assist with any restaurants in the area. Thanks for your help!!

Comment by amanda on July 7, 2010 at 12:34pm: Great post Janeen - I really liked getting to see into your supermom planning thought-process. This is a great resource for anyone new to the game and also great to read for people who may not realize the care you have to put in as an allergy parent no matter where you go. That pic of your car is pretty great too - definitely reminds me of car trips of yore - if there's an extra inch of space you clearly have to pack something else! :) I'm sure it was (or will be) a great trip!

Comment by Alicia C. Staley on July 7, 2010 at 1:21pm: I have a new found respect for mothers with children with allergies. I never really stopped to think about all the planning involved in caring for someone with food allergies. It really is a matter of safety. Thanks for sharing this important information.

Buckle Up! We're going on vacation with food allergies.

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