As if figuring out what to pack in your suitcase wasn’t hard enough, now you have to worry about what you’re going to eat. Airplane food is prepackaged for a large amount of people, so the chances of it being gluten free are low. So to make sure you get the food you need, here are a few tips to staying gluten free the next time you fly.
1. Plan ahead – Some airlines will offer gluten free meals or snack packs, but you will have to reserve your meal in advance. Do not wait until you’re on the airplane to ask for it, make sure you get ahold of an airline representative ahead of time and let them know you will be needing a special meal. Don’t delay, call as soon as you book your ticket! If you do get a gluten free meal, make sure to double check what’s it in when its served to you, just to make sure you received the meal you were supposed to.
2. Pack your own food – It’s always a good idea to pack your own meal or snacks, just in case you aren’t able to find anything to eat. Better safe than sorry! Examples of snacks you could pack that don’t need refrigerated: Mixed nuts, dried fruit, apple, banana, orange, snack bars, chips, crackers, pretzels, rice cakes, peanut butter…
3. Never rely on airport food stops – Most airports have a variety of food options, from prepackaged food stations to sit down restaurants. But depending on what time of day or night you arrive at the airport, they may or may not be open. Personally, if my flight gets in between 10pm and 6am, I assume there won’t be anywhere to eat and bring my own snacks.
4. Know where to look – Do some research before your trip to see which airports you’ll be stopping in. You can see which food places are available where you’re going and what time they open/close. Hudson News, which has multiple locations in just about every major airport (in the US), is getting great at stocking gluten free snack options. I’ve seen Food Should Taste Good chips, KIND bars, Go Picnic ready to eat meals, mixed nuts, dried fruit, and more. If you happen to need a snack, Hudson News is a good place to look for it.
5. Beware of prepackaged foods – Prepackaged salads, sandwiches, and wraps are often available for a quick buy in the airports. Obviously sandwiches are out of the question, since the bread will not be gluten free. The wraps are almost always made from flour tortillas, so they are also out of the question. The salads are what you need to take a closer look at, sometimes they’re safe and other times they’re not. Read the ingredients and triple check what’s in it before consuming. Most will have croutons, tortilla strips, or a dressing that contains soy sauce or food starch. Play it safe and only purchase prepackaged foods that you are sure about.
6. Use good communication – Eating in an airport restaurant can be hectic. Everyone eating there is on a time limit because of flight schedules, so the service can be a little rushed. Even if its busy with travelers, make sure you specify to your server exactly what you can and cannot eat. Explain that you aren’t being picky, you just have an allergy/sensitivity and you don’t want to feel sick on your next flight.
7. Stay hydrated – Whether you eat gluten free or not, traveling can take a lot out of you. It’s important to stay hydrated while your body is in travel mode. It’s easy to forget to drink water or other hydrating beverages while traveling, but your body will thank you for it later. Buy a bottle of water at one of the newsstands, or save money by bringing an EMPTY water bottle from home and filling it from a water fountain once you pass through security.
Wherever your travels take you, just remember to plan ahead. Ask an airline representative if there are gluten free options BEFORE you fly, bring your own snacks, never rely on airport food, and stay hydrated. A little planning ahead can save you a lot of trouble!
How do you travel gluten free?
What are your favorite items to pack?
Comment below to share your travel tips!
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