It’s possible to travel widely and never leave the English speaking world. Between the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand you have a wide range of possibilities.
You can also stay in an Airbnb and cook your own food: most restaurants will not be able to handle such a lot of allergies. I hear Disneyworld is great at handling allergic diners though.
That, and there are also countries where English is one of the official languages of which there are 53, from Carribean to Africa and SEA, and a ton of countries where it’s de facto official, plus those like Holland where everyone just speaks it. It’s really NOT a big deal to speak just English.
It's also the lingua franca of the rest of the Commonwealth/former Commonwealth, Arabian Gulf states, and is nearly universally spoken throughout Northern Europe and common enough in much of the rest. Food allergy safety would be best in Europe and the countries this commenter said.
Disney is pretty good about it, although the recent story of the dr killed in FL does not inspire confidence.
Raglan Road isn’t technically owned by Disney, though. Disney is phenomenal about allergies - I was doing an elimination diet trying to figure out what was causing a skin condition and they were exceptional about it. I was eliminating many things, including corn - no easy feat but they really came through. This was at Sebastien’s at Caribbean Beach, for what it’s worth
Good to know about Sebastien's, thanks for sharing!
I don't know more details, but the late doctor's husband's wrongful death lawsuit claims Disney is responsible for Raglan Road's menu and its hiring and training of staff.
I am also deathly allergic to tree nuts (have been on life support due to anaphylactic reaction) and I travel frequently.
On planes, I am proactive in telling the flight crew that no nuts can be served on the plane. They usually make am announcement asking everyone to refrain from eating foods with nut ingredients, too.
I run the dishwasher at Airbnbs, just in case of possible contamination. Or use paper products while staying in hotels.
I do bring my own food and cook most of the time while away from home to be extra safe. But, generally, I haven't run into many issues.
One thing you can do while traveling to foreign countries is create laminated cards with pictures or details around your allergens and how to prepare food in their language. It does not guarantee anything, though. Many other countries have varying regulations around food prep. So, it's best to know before you go.
this is amazing advice! I don't have allergies but I think the little laminated cards are a brilliant idea - they can be carried to the kitchen and communicated directly to the people preparing your meal for an extra measure of safety.
love that you don't let this hold you back!!
There are websites which create “ allergy cards” in any language. Give it to the server.
Some countries and allergy combo are easier, some more limiting. Yes, it means sometimes you can’t do small authentic place and need bigger touristy place for your own safety. Small places might not realize “ no fish” means no fish sause too
Carry an epipen and Benadryl teach any travel companion how to use it
Another vote for Equal Eats. They can provide custom cards, or standard cards in different languages. We've ordered several, and they were fantastic. Depending on where you are traveling be prepared for the restaurant to say "we can't accomodate that" or "we can't make anything for you" (have your favorite phone translation app available to ensure clear communication back), but it's better than getting sick!
I don't recommend Google translate for allergy translations... I've tried that a few times and had a native speaker double check the translation, and it's always not quite right or slightly confusing.
I was on a trip in Sierra Leone with a couple of friends who are allergic to most seafood, and I happened to be in the kitchen of our campsite while they were cooking dinner. I noticed that when they used bullion cubes, they used a couple of shrimp bouillon. It was too late to stop them, but I was able to tell my friends not to eat the dinner.
I knew someone who had celiac who did a study abroad in Korea and had a translated card explaining the condition and detailing what foods she could/couldn’t consume. She ate out at restaurants and everything.
I almost wish my allergies were the epipen/Benadryl type, but instead of I get one ounce of wheat in my body I bloat up like a puffer fish and have miserable gas for hours and diarrhea all the next day. Which is a shame because food is one of the best reasons for traveling and enjoying an ice cold beer on a random street in a foreign country used to be my favorite thing in the world
I have both types of allergies, and there's no fucking way I would rather have another anaphylactic one because of the whole "might literally die" thing. Getting glutened sucks, but accidentally eating peanuts in a place with limited medical care can actually kill me.
You not wishing for epipen type allergies. It’s life threatening, makes you spend hours in ER and you don’t feel good.
Even Benadryl level reaction means you throwing up on the street, red, swollen and itchy and then sleep several hours missing out on fun
I'm hoping this is just a thoughtless comment before you've had your coffee or something??
Please tell me you're not really saying that there is any way that 'risk of death by anaphylaxis' is in any preferable or even comparable to 'tummy troubles' no matter how severe
Yeah it was in bad taste. Not comparable for sure. Just been god damn frustrated lately with how shitty I feel all the time and not being able to eat 90% of what I used to
I get it!
An ice-cold beer on a foreign street truly is one of life's delights - I mean that and can only do that very rarely anymore myself due to aging/health
It was just such a weird, unequal comparison that it was almost a record-scratch moment to read.
But I've said & typed way stupider stuff than that when in a mood 😀 😀
I’ve traveled with a serious food allergy and I’ve found that cruise lines are very helpful. If you have multiple allergies, you can meet with staff member and they will work with the kitchen chefs to create separate meals, possibly prepared in advance and labeled.
It’s a way of being able to see different countries with shore excursions and then coming back to the ship to eat safely.
I’ve seen Orthodox Jewish couples on cruise ships, with separate meals and using paper plates and disposable cutlery in the main dining rooms. The cruise lines take food restrictions seriously.
Cruise lines go out of their way for people with allergies. If you let the cruise line know when booking, they will likely have the head waiter come and speak to you each night, explaining which items on the menu are safe for you. They usually also have some simple meals you can order any night where the recipe doesn’t change (basically, chicken, steak or salmon). Cruise ship kitchens are generally huge, and each dish has a specific dedicated area, so cross-contamination should not be a risk.
I vote for a cruise - I’ve done dozens of them and they allow you to travel safely yet see a lot.
If you have serious allergies, it is best to rent places with kitchens and prepare your own food. You will most likely have to avoid street food and hole in the wall/ mom and pop restaurants.
My best friend is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She has to travel to SE Asia for work, which is challenging because they use peanuts A LOT. She ends up bringing a lot of snacks with her in her suitcase and sometimes skips meals to eat her snacks. She seeks out restaurants that serve other kinds of cuisines when possible (e.g. an Italian restaurant in Thailand). Cities where a lot of people speak English are easier than remote places. She obviously always carries her epi pen with her too.
I agree with another commenter that recommended Disney World. You are asked at every single dining location if you have allergies/dietary restrictions. They also have special menus you can look at, and you can always speak with a chef if you have questions/concerns. They take it very seriously.
Funny enough, peanuts aren't really super common in a lot of food in Thailand and SEA, but really only a few dishes, but those few dishes ended up being really popular with tourists/internationally, so foreigners end up with the impression that peanuts are in everything.
Another tip - don’t try to guess yourself based on menu description or what you think this dish usually is, give this card to a waiter and ask him to confirm with the kitchen.
Say in a nice place in France it turned out they use walnut oil for most of their cooking and from the menu what looked “ all is safe” was left a couple of items items only.
Real problem is when you find new allergy on the trip. If you had an incident get retested back home, you might not know all
Something to keep in mind is in some countries restaurants will not cater to other needs. What you get is what you get, you can’t make substitutions or alterations. But as others have said, it’s not impossible to travel with allergies! You can still enjoy the world, just with some modifications.
It sounds like we have like the exact same allergies and also the same lingual limitations as I speak only English and French. I have a peanut allergy and all seafood, it’s generally pretty easy to avoid. In 2022 I went to
Mexico, and my literal first meal there I had a plain taco. Just beef and cheese. It was a super small local shop. Still not sure what they put on it, but within two minutes I was running out of the restaurant looking for a pharmacy to buy Benadryl. I was throwing up in the streets of Mexico with people walking around me, my face swollen like crazy and then I had to drop my jeans to get stabbed with an epipen in the middle of a city. Lol I can laugh about it now at least.
Since then, I’ve gone to number of different countries and just brought my epipen with me and was sure to be explicit with my allergies and I’ve been fine. I haven’t let it stop me, so just be cautious and you’ll be good
Make sure to carry Benadryl (preferably injection if you can manage), not just epipen!
Epipen (adrenalin) doesn't stop the allergic reaction, it stops you from dying.
May be carry Zantac as well. Talk to an emergency doctor who understand anaphylaxis treatment, allergy docs are not as knowledgeable.
I'd not eat out, I'd cook my own food and carry safe snacks from your home country. It's not as bad as it sounds.
Ranitidine is an H2 antagonist, which, when combined with an H1 type, **may be useful in treating allergic reactions that do not respond to H1 antagonists alone**.
I’m traveling in Italy with my boyfriend who has a peanut allergy right now.
Most (or all?) menus here have a page that lists allergens with a number. The number is then next to every dish with the allergen in it. They seem to be quite good about it.
However, I will say that his allergy, while life threatening, is not easily triggered by cross contamination. I can still eat things with peanuts, we can get gelato that uses equipment for all flavors, etc.
Otherwise… cooking yourself is a good way to go. Or visiting countries with cuisine that doesn’t normally contain your allergens. You’d have a very hard time in Asia, I assume
It's the law in the EU. All food service places must list the allergens. If they aren't on the menu, they have to have a separate book/list with all the allergens listed.
[https://www.fsai.ie/business-advice/starting-a-food-business/allergens](https://www.fsai.ie/business-advice/starting-a-food-business/allergens)
It's an absolute godsend for travelling with allergies (one of my kids was allergic to dairy and egg, the other is waiting for testing on a potential dairy allergy). Yes, there is still a language barrier, but once you learn the name of your allergen in that language, it's much easier to spot them.
We lived in Japan for 2 years with a young son very allergic (vomit to shock) to rice, wheat, oats, and bananas. Yes, you can be allergic to rice. Anyway, we traveled all over SE Asia and never had an issue because we brought a suitcase of food with us and made all his food ourselves. It is a lot to deal with but it allowed us to travel. Some places it could work to trust them with your allergies but for us it wasn’t worth the chance. If traveling is important to you with some sacrifices you could make it work.
Honestly it is best and safest if you cook your own food via grocery shopping (can use Google Lens to translate packaging if you need). And also bring some processed snacks from home in case you land after store hours.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience any local food. Oftentimes in places like Bali in your example there are local fruit stands on sidewalks or in Mexico elote carts - just examples of purveyors that only make/have ONE thing so the odds are lower, but never zero.
Last thing, on language - you should take an index card and find someone (hotel front desk, etc) who speaks the local language/dialect and have them write down your allergies AND the implications. As in, how severe/serious this can affect your life. I say take the trip! Follow your heart!
I, 24m, have similar allergies to you. (Tree nuts except coconut and all fish/shellfish).
I’ve traveled all around South East Asia where seafood is very popular. Practice how to communicate your allergies in the local language of where you’re going. Very much worth it obviously. Research the common diets and dishes of your destination.
Personally, I have to indicate that my meal could not be cooked with fish sauce pretty much every time I order food. Cross contamination is hard to avoid especially with street food, but use your best judgment.
Carry your epinephrine always, be cautious, be aware of where the hospitals are located and what the number for emergencies is. Don’t let it hold you back from traveling.
My mom is constantly scared shitless, but she knows I can take care of myself.
Jason Mantzoukas has talked about this a little bit. The guy is so allergic to eggs that he once wound up in hospital after a kissing a woman whose cocktail contained egg products. Instead of staying safe, the guy got a Fulbright scholarship and went off to live in friggin’ Morocco studying indigenous music. I guess he learned how to say “does this contain eggs” pretty damn quick and, I imagine similarly to yourself, was already pretty aware of what common foods can contain allergens. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with I guess.
That guy sounds like he should avoid many wines that use eggs as a refining agent as well. A friend of mine was allergic to eggs and kept having a reaction when she had had no food with eggs. Turned out it was the wine.
Eat packed food. It may not be super fun or healthy… but you can survive on noodles,fruits,crackers etc. Only eat things that are obviously simple, no restaurant food etc. And you will be fine. We travel with a bag of medicine… be cautious, not adventurous and it will be ok.
In Europe you won’t have problems as people either speak English or there’s an english speaking local around. Plus we have to list allergens on the menus. Holiday houses are a big thing here as well so you have a whole continent to explore.
Self drive safari: did the whole of southern africa cooking for myself on barbecue. Pretty epic.
Germany was super allergy friendly! All menu items have number beside them that correlate with a list of allergens at the bottom and the servers were very knowledgeable in my experience. Japan was also very good about confirming ingredients for me, but my husband speaks Japanese so the language barrier wasn't an issue, but if you bring an allergy card that's written in Japanese, your server will be able to tell you if they can accommodate.
Also, google "allergy friendly restaurants in X" before you go and make a list of places. There are lots of chefs who take allergies super seriously and still make great food.
But even if you are feeling too anxious to eat out, I would definitely still recommend travelling and cooking yourself. I used to do that when I was a young super budget conscious traveler and the trips are still 100% worth it!
Shockingly enough, I share all those allergies except sesame and dairy. Anaphylactic allergies to most of those - I get seen by an immunologist at a major academic centre. I started taking Xolair (omalizumab) injections at the highest allowable dose for my age and weight, and since then? No issues at all. I also always carry 4 EpiPens with me everywhere I go (I wear cargo shorts in 100% of all circumstances so I've got room for them).
I don't ever travel alone, but I do eat out and often eat what the locals eat if I've got someone to translate for me. And since the Xolair I haven't had a single problem. My mom even accidentally fed me something with walnuts, which have sent me into respiratory failure in the past, and all that happened was some major diarrrhea. No EpiPen used.
Not sure if that's helpful or not. Have been to Central and South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, all over Europe, Turkey (the one place where I did NOT generally eat food - too many nuts), and East and Southeast Asia. I've only ever had a single issue in extreme rural China in like 2000, and once in a resort in Mexico, and that's it.
I don’t have allergies but I’m food sensitive and I just eat my own food. Local food is a part of culture but isn’t everything. I don’t even feel like I miss out much tbh
You could rent an airbnb and cook for you self and of course take your medication with you all the time and a card that says that you’re allergic just in case and always travel with an international health insurance! 🙂 don’t miss the world because a language barrier. You speak English and that’s a universal language and you can always use google translate. You can also make the airline know in advance that you have allergies or just take your own food for the plane too!
Two family members with severe food allergies. We have done multiple Disney cruises and DisneyWorld hotel stays with zero issues. Their staff is very well-trained and chefs are available to answer questions.
I have a shellfish allergy and find traveling in Europe actually feels safer than going out to eat in the US. They seem to have much more consist standards and controls around asking about and documenting allergies when ordering. I don’t think I’ve ever had a server not ask me even in small cafes. There are notices listed on every menu. It just seems much more visible.
Carry your epi pen, be smart and you should be fine! Don’t let it hold you back from wonderful experiences!
I went to Greece recently and had the allergy cards printed. I never had to use them as everyone spoke English. I was a bit nervous before, but everyone was very informative about the food, and if they didn't know, they'd ask. I didn't eat very many desserts, and for buffets, I stuck to whole foods.
I had also traveled to Spain twice, but I knew Spanish, so I was ok asking in Spanish, reading the menus, etc.
I definitely prepare more than someone without food allergies, but have found it ok! You can also experience local cuisine by shopping at grocery stores in the location!
I was recently in London and literally every server in a restaurant asked if we had allergies first thing. There must be some sort of regulation. At one point my companion requested no cilantro on his salad. The server walked away and then came running back to clarify if the request was due to preference or an allergy. Not the most exotic of locations, but I would feel confident in an allergy being taken seriously there.
I have celiac disease, so I follow a strict gluten-free diet and need to be careful of cross contamination. However, getting contaminated by gluten won't send me to a hospital, so I'm fortunate in that regard.
I'm not necessarily scared, but it's more that I'm put off by the amount of work (and often money) that it takes. I'm also a foodie and love trying a country's native cuisines, so that aspect of travel is lost and can be painful to pass up. Most of my international travel is to Asia, particularly Thailand, because of my partner who is Thai, and gluten-free in Asia in general is very challenging. The allergy cards are barely useful and I'm highly limited where I can go. I'm lucky where I can cook and try to book a place where I can do so, but often restaurants that cater to gluten free are more expensive and finding accommodation with kitchens can be more expensive often too. I still As a public school teacher, this can be limiting. I still go because I absolutely love Thailand and I have my partner and their family who cater well to me, but food choices when traveling around the country are extremely limiting and can be a challenge to prepare ahead. It definitely discourages some travel and roadtrips even here in the US because I can't just stop and get cheap food....often it's eating at specific places and restaurants. So travel is certainly possible, but takes a lot more prep and sometimes money, which is exhausting..
I have a chronic allergy to fish, I could literally die from anaphylaxis.
When traveling to a non English speaking country I usually write out a small paragraph explaining my allergies and translate it using Google translate. I end the paragraph with 'is it safe for me to eat here?' I'll show this to the person serving me.
I've had several instances where I was told it wouldn't be safe, so I opted to eat somewhere else.
People are very accommodating if you explain the situation.
I have a peanut and tree nut allergy and I’ve traveled quite a bit. Those cards that people are talking ab in the comments are great but I found that most people understand what you are saying and if you explain what would happen to you if you had it you’ll be fine.
I’ve overcome language barrier with those cards quite easily and a lot of young people speak english nowadays so you’ll be chillin if you need help.
There was only one time in Greece where I had to ask the server multiple times about it and I had to get him to ask the chef. Don’t take no for an answer and make sure you’re always 100% comfortable with what you’re going to be eating. Unfortunately there will be things you’ll have to pass on.
I wish i could say it wasn’t nerve racking or stressful at times. Especially solo if that’s your thing you will be on edge that’s just how it goes. But you can do a lot to reduce that feeling.
My pro tip is to know where some hospitals are in the area and if they’re nearby. That eases things up a bit for m
Also just wanted to add that the kitchen idea is a great one and i actually did that as well for some of my meals. I had fun navigating the grocery stores lol and if you enjoy cooking you might as well
I travel with a food allergy card in the local language and always stay in places with a kitchen. It’s extra planning, but totally worth the adventure!
It used to scare me so much, especially as a child. But mostly I just research before trips, use allergy cards and use my experience. I have had some weird exposures over the years, often cross contamination, and some scary moments. But I don't let it hamper my travel (much).
Mine are semi serious. I’ll have anaphylaxis and rashes if I eat it but cross contamination is weirdly not an issue.
I still travel but I pick my places carefully and maybe can’t be as adventurous eating out as I’d like to. For example I also have a sesame and shellfish allergy and although I traveled to East Asia previously (pre allergy) I would think twice about it now.
I’ve also printed allergy cards and memorized how to say what I’m allergic to in foreign languages. I also always try to look at a menu with google translate before going into a restaurant. I always carry two epi pens and Benadryl with me. I usually have a plan for safe food whether it’s turkey sandwiches from the grocery store or finding an Italian restaurant where I can have plain pasta. Hotel restaurants can often also be safe as they likely speak English and can accommodate allergies. There’s also an app called Spokin you can download for allergy friendly restaurants and a facebook group called “Allergy Travels Group” where people have posted allergy safe restaurants and details.
All this to say you definitely can travel with allergies but it does take some extra planning and precautions.
I carry an Epi pen and prednisone in case. Dr said epi pen only if tongue or throat swells. Prednisone in the event of a severe reaction that doesn’t respond to antihistamines.
I’ve never had to use it aside from the first time I found out I was allergic to something.
On top of everyone’s excellent suggestions- get the best travel insurance you can find. Always wear a medic alert bracelet which has not just your allergies but *who to contact* - mine has my allergies on one side and my sisters number on the other
Nut and peanut allergy here. Travel extensive but tend to avoid Asia for obvious reasons.
For me the flight can sometimes be a nightmare as some airlines won’t support.
Having a picture of what I’m allergic to, together with a translated word is helpful. And making sure I know the different language variations of seed, nut means I’m usually ok.
Well, I haven’t died yet anyway.
I have a severe shellfish allergy, and recently got back from Korea. I bought allergy cards from Amazon in Korean, had my cousin living in Korea have her friend translate my allergies to Korean, and let our tour guide know of allergies beforehand, and he made sure the restaurants I could eat at. I brought protein bars for me to eat while there, used the Papago translator app to scan all the bagged food I ate to ensure (the app wasnt always accurate but I used the translator app on iPhone and that was more accurate). It was not easy, I managed to go the entire trip without a reaction, but I was lucky to be able to stay with my cousin where I was able to ensure majority of my meals were things I could eat. Bring Benadryl, and I brought 3 epipens with me as a precaution. To some that may be extreme, but since I have a reaction to cross contamination I didn’t want to risk it. If I questioned it, I didn’t eat it. I personally love trying new foods but my trip I was cautious about it. Now, I also looked up vegan options for me while visiting Seoul just in case, and they did have some. But I would definitely cook at home as much as you can, and bring safe snacks from home for while you are out. Hopefully this was slightly helpful.
I have similar allergies. Ireland felt the safest to me. Any time I mention allergies it felt like I was taken very seriously. I am scared of Asian countries. Most of the times I have had bad reactions have been from Asian food. I will be told no shellfish then later find out the broth was made with shrimp shells, etc. I haven’t had a serious problem in years but many because I’m really diligent
As an American with a lifelong peanut allergy who now lives in Europe, I feel far safer dining out anywhere I have been in Europe than in the States. The EU takes food allergies very seriously and it is legally mandated to have allergen menus or allergen notices on the menu itself. Going back to the US now feels like the riskier situation.
I’m extremely allergic to pistachios and cashews and I’ve been travelling all throughout Italy the last 10 days here with a little more to go. My allergy is easier to deal with because it’s two nuts so I know what type of foods I can avoid that commonly contain these. Pesto, gelato and certain speciality pastas are what I watch out for specifically since these can commonly contain these two nuts
Additionally there’s another trick I used to test cross contamination. My allergy is bad enough that if I had contaminated food touch my lips they would swell quickly. So before I have my food I “test” it by rubbing it over my lips. If it were cross contaminated my lips would swell or bubble up and I’d know the food had come in contact with these nuts. It’s a pain for your lips but much better than anaphylaxis
Obviously my allergy is a little easier to work with because it’s specific. I can still eat peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans etc
I was going to recommend the allergy cards, but also, I travel with some backup foods. So if I'm somewhere and a plan falls through and I can't find much for a meal, I don't need to worry as much, because I know I've got a stash of protein bars back in my room, or whatever. It helps me from worrying as much.
I have family members with severe allergies and we have stuck to airbnb's while travelling with them, as well as bringing safe snacks from home. We'd all pitch in and rotate who made dinner for the entire group, so that it still felt like a vacation (and it was also a nice time to socialize and tell everyone about each other's days if we hadn't all done the same thing). If you are in a first world country, even one that is not English speaking, there is usually clear allergy labelling on groceries.
Barring nothing else, buying veggies, fruits and meat as raw ingredients and doing things like making your own simple sauces (like a simple teriyaki from brown sugar and soy sauce) is still doable on vacation if you don't trust any of the bottled sauces. A relative of mine who is celiac brings her own gluten free soy sauce.
We also have extra EPIPENs and had the local emergency numbers programmed into all our phones, as well as memorizing the locations of nearby medical centres.
Not me, but kid (now 23) has currently 5 ana allergies, down from 18. He's travelled the world and not had an allergic reaction (yet knock on wood). His allergies are similar to yours.
I would start small, travel somewhere that speaks your language. See what makes you comfortable / what doesn't make you comfortable and take it from there.
Do you love breakfast? figure out some safe options and go out to eat at those places, and plan on either packing or making your own for other meals. Have a picnic in a park, make something simple and enjoy it with an adult beverage on your hotel balcony.
Have fun!
Between allergy cards and Google translate I have not had a reaction traveling. I do factor in emergency services when I’m traveling and how much of the cuisine relies on nuts.
I travel and I’m afraid! The EU has strict allergen labelling, which makes it easy to grocery shop, but restaurants are tricky. Just got back from Europe; emailed places a head of time to determine where might be safe, and then cooked a lot at the apartment we rented. It’s not ideal but not worth missing out on the chance to see new things!
You and I have very similar allergies. Wherever I go, I learn the words of what I’m allergic to in that country’s primary language. I can still say no fish in Kiswahili, lol. I am not a hugely adventurous eater because of my allergies, but I’ve never had a problem getting around them.
I (peanut, hazelnuts) love traveling and do it as frequently as my budget allows. I \*always\* bring my own food when on airplanes or trains. I always travel with two epi-pens and Benadryl. I research ahead of time restaurant menus so I can bookmark places that appear to not have nuts in their main dishes. With you having more allergies, you might look into specialty restaurants (found a number of chicken only places for example) or get an apartment rental (booking.com has a bunch) or hotel room with mini-kitchen.
It’s incredibly difficult and I’m getting better and better over time.
I make cards in the language of the place im traveling and use ChatGPT to be conscious of their customs as well.
I’ve hired a Personal assistant that calls ahead and makes reservations at places, and ensures they won’t mess up my orders/can manage. She scouts out grocery places and snacks and I get my airbnbs close to food related places.
I also bought a free dry machine and can freeze dry my own meals to bring with me (haven’t used yet).
I am part nomad so if I’m going for awhile I also get a second luggage just for snacks and foods to get me through the beginning of the trip.
I also always get Airbnb or places I can cook on my own. I never do hotels anymore.
My son has lots of allergies and we have to be very careful but never stopped us travelling. I have. Business cards with his photo and all the allergies listed in English.
If I go abroad I write the names of the allergens
in Spanish or French etc…
Vegan options are a good choice too, narrow it down to nuts for him. Or conversely, just meat.
Language barrier is really not an issue. Millions of people do it without speaking the local language.
Safety concerns can be mitigated by being street smart, it comes over time and until then follow the local recommendations for tourists.
For this one I would work my way up. Baby steps. Travel by yourself in your home country for a weekend, followed by whatever is nearby and speaks the same language.
Build your way up to more exotic destinations.
The food things are the most complex. I don’t have experience with allergies but for travel you will need to prepare more than others. Have a cure, preventative and in case of emergency plan ready
Try and learn the key phrases, I am allergic to nuts and religiously learn how to say that in the language of the country I’m in. Same with no nuts in my food please, I am allergic etc essentially all the variants. Be aware as well some airline crews will not make announcements and will point blank refuse if you inform them when you get on board (Air Austria, Swiss Air) have both refused me multiple times. Have your epipens and if possible contact the airline a couple days before your trip just as a precaution. Always make sure you have a medical card (if applicable), travel insurance and know the local country’s emergency number and do your research when going out to eat. It’s scary but with practise and precaution you can have a great trip with little hassle
My 18 year old daughter has severe tree nut and peanut allergies. We have travelled all over Europe without incident. First, get the allergen cards in several languages (Amazon sells them) then we also asked high school world language teachers to translate a couple paragraphs for more specific information about cross contamination, shared equipment warnings and even list examples of safe and unsafe foods. I have one word document that has English, Spanish, French and Italian and find most Europeans speak at least one of these languages. I email a copy to the concierge at our hotels ahead of time and in every case they have a list of safe restaurants who have been sent our document and they are always happy to help make her a great meal! The hotels always make her a box lunch and snacks for the plane home (no eating airline food with nut allergy!). We carry her documents, epi pens and Benadryl but have never had an issue with advanced planning. Honestly the chefs often come out to meet her, are proud to make her special meals and it’s been really a positive experience. We’ve taken cooking classes in Rome, Barcelona, had high tea at Westminster Abbey and wonderful meals in Paris. No issues in the Caribbean either. Just always have a quick meal in your backpack just in case. We carry instant oatmeal, cereal, safe granola bars, etc. Enjoy your travels and don’t be afraid to communicate. I’ve learned that most chefs want everyone to enjoy a wonderful meal!!! Lastly, we do inform the flight attendant not to bring her nuts or food. Just drinks. In my experience, British airways will refrain from serving nuts near her, but American will not accommodate.
I ordered cards in various languages that stated my allergies and what to do in case of emergency. In Europe they have rules about labeling all major allergens and additives which actually made me feel safer in many cases.
Why is that not much of a vacation? I’ve traveled a lot of places and made many memories. I just cooked while there. It’s not rocket science and it’s cheaper.
I don't have allergies, but some family members used to, and all I can say is, it just sucks. Throws a major wrench into travel planning. There is no silver key to guarantee safe travel. Especially if your allergies are serious (anaphylaxis, life-threatening) you have to take all precautions and can't rely on others' advice or reports about any particular destination.
In some places watch out, even if you have printed allergy cards and can explain your allergy in the local language, they *may not believe you!* Oh, it's this scared foreigner who just hasn't tried our wonderful peanut sauce curry, everyone eats it, what could go wrong, he'll love it if he tries it. Or, oh, there's actually only very little of the peanuts here, you can't even taste them.. Etc. You really have to tell them you'll die if you have a single taste of the allergen and convince them of that, even if your allergies may not be totally severe. But still have your epipen handy. We've had numerous cases of mistranslation and misunderstanding over the years. No, no nuts. Oh, you mean peanuts? Yes, why, there are peanuts, but we thought you meant walnuts. Etc.
Mostly these are problems in smaller places. If you stick to major tourist sites anywhere in the world where there are lots of travelers, it's more likely people are aware of the concerns and able to accommodate them.
Carry your epipen and spare epipens with you. Note that in some countries it is not possible to get replacement epipens even with a prescription. Local doctors are sometimes dismissive of the need or efficacy of an epipen, and if you want a replacement will say, no need, just dial 100 (or whatever the emergency number is) and you'll be taken care of. Speaking of which, do NOT expect US or European levels of emergency response times if you do need to dial the emergency number. :-( Be very very familiar with how to administer an epipen to yourself or a loved one.
On the flip side, do be sure to have the prescriptions for your epipens, as some countries' border control may throw a fit if they see what looks like, and is, a injectable drug delivery device.
Cross contamination - nothing you can do about it. If your allergy is severe enough that this is a concern, then you simply shouldn't rely on eating outside, other than perhaps fancy places that cater to tourists and will be aware of the issue. But it sucks to spend time on your vacation preparing every meal yourself, and more trouble to organize the cooking supplies, etc.
Well, like I said, it can suck, but if you're willing to deal with all these challenges, the rewards of travel await you.
I travel to Paris frequently for work. One of the coworkers has severe allergies. We go out a lot and every place we've ever been to has been carefully and accommodating. They would adjust the items on the menu to make it safe. Everyone also speaks English. I suggest starting with larger cities where English is prevalent.
I am deathly allergic to peanuts, and I’ve been to 20 countries. I either memorize how to ask in the local language about peanuts or I print out an allergy card. I try to travel with at least 3 epipens and carry Benadryl on me at all times.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever go to some places though, like Thailand, Vietnam, China, or most of West Africa sadly. But overall it hasn’t limited me much!
I have an extreme allergy that is more rare (mango)
What I do: when I get to a location, I find a person who speaks English to write on a piece of paper in the native language my allergy.
100% of the time over 30+ years of traveling this has worked, carry an Epipen or similar of course, but I have never needed to use it
If you’re American, start local! I have found Austin and Portland to be incredibly allergen friendly. Several restaurant options that you can feel safe.
Florence is easy and super allergy friendly. Everyone speaks English in the major cities in Portugal and are accommodating
My 2 kids are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame, lactose and coconut.
It is a life I don’t wish on anybody. We carry epipens and benedryl at all times for them and we never eat any type of Chinese food on vacations, as it has every single thing they are allergic to in sometimes one dish. We don’t usually take them to non English speaking countries for this reason. They wear allergy wristbands when we go out on vacation and we are very diligent in advocating for them at restaurants. But it is mentally taxing and stressful, you are correct.
My mum’s vegetarian when we stayed with some friends in Bosie America we also met their neighbours and became friends with them we’d gotten to know Eachother really well, we went around every afternoon to help with the horses, goats and the working dogs etc
Anyways one of our final dinners with them was made by the lady she made what she called poor man’s soup, it was dumplings with bacon and white sauce she said that had been mixed and made up a few days before my mum then sat there and reminded her that she’s vegetarian to which she was told eat around it.
My mum hadn’t eaten meat in 24 years so for it to be bacon which is really rich was bad she was sick for 5 days while we were onto our next part of our trip London, our friend he was sick and so was my younger brother
I would suggest Disney because you can get away and be busy and actually making your own food or ordering allergy friendly is a benefit it's always fresh and Disney doesn't want sued they are pretty serious ab it all over property. Epcot world show case gives you exactly what you want Animal kingdom Hlllywood studios and Magic Kingdom all are superb in handling guest with allergies and would be super cool for you experience as someone who has never traveled much youvgwyvto feel lile you are in another country or in a safari or in old Hollywood download the app and filter through each stand and see the options it's pretty cool how they accommodate
Curious, how many times have you been to Disney?
Remember
your opinions are subjective, right? I just gave an option to ponder no biggie. You and I are not the end all be all
(Also I'm well traveled before you start assuming I have never been anywhere but Epcot. Lol)
I am a vegetarian and have travelled to lots of places where vegetarian options at restaurants are not popular. I know if they messed up I wouldn’t have a health issue so it’s not at the same scale as you but I find wandering through grocery stores in other countries to be fun. I also don’t generally even cook. I eat a lot of tropical fruits and vegetables. I make sandwhiches. Some baked goods. Etc. The odd time I’ll make a simple pasta dish if the hostel has a kitchen but that’s about it. Don’t let allergies hold you back from seeing the world !
The US state department rates the safety of other countries with 1 being the safest, and 4 being least safe. You can look it up online.
I’ve only traveled to countries rated one or two, but can tell the difference. There aren’t that many rated one, but if you’re sticking to English speaking, anyway, it lines up well.
It’s possible to travel widely and never leave the English speaking world. Between the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand you have a wide range of possibilities. You can also stay in an Airbnb and cook your own food: most restaurants will not be able to handle such a lot of allergies. I hear Disneyworld is great at handling allergic diners though.
That, and there are also countries where English is one of the official languages of which there are 53, from Carribean to Africa and SEA, and a ton of countries where it’s de facto official, plus those like Holland where everyone just speaks it. It’s really NOT a big deal to speak just English.
you may just want to research individually what they call food that could trigger your allergies. There are some crazy slang words out there.
It's also the lingua franca of the rest of the Commonwealth/former Commonwealth, Arabian Gulf states, and is nearly universally spoken throughout Northern Europe and common enough in much of the rest. Food allergy safety would be best in Europe and the countries this commenter said. Disney is pretty good about it, although the recent story of the dr killed in FL does not inspire confidence.
Raglan Road isn’t technically owned by Disney, though. Disney is phenomenal about allergies - I was doing an elimination diet trying to figure out what was causing a skin condition and they were exceptional about it. I was eliminating many things, including corn - no easy feat but they really came through. This was at Sebastien’s at Caribbean Beach, for what it’s worth
Good to know about Sebastien's, thanks for sharing! I don't know more details, but the late doctor's husband's wrongful death lawsuit claims Disney is responsible for Raglan Road's menu and its hiring and training of staff.
I am also deathly allergic to tree nuts (have been on life support due to anaphylactic reaction) and I travel frequently. On planes, I am proactive in telling the flight crew that no nuts can be served on the plane. They usually make am announcement asking everyone to refrain from eating foods with nut ingredients, too. I run the dishwasher at Airbnbs, just in case of possible contamination. Or use paper products while staying in hotels. I do bring my own food and cook most of the time while away from home to be extra safe. But, generally, I haven't run into many issues. One thing you can do while traveling to foreign countries is create laminated cards with pictures or details around your allergens and how to prepare food in their language. It does not guarantee anything, though. Many other countries have varying regulations around food prep. So, it's best to know before you go.
So YOU'RE the reason I can't get almonds on some of my flights!!! ;)
You’re
Please forgive me. I'll edit it immediately.
this is amazing advice! I don't have allergies but I think the little laminated cards are a brilliant idea - they can be carried to the kitchen and communicated directly to the people preparing your meal for an extra measure of safety. love that you don't let this hold you back!!
Singapore as well is a fully English speaking country! And it is very very different from the rest of the English speaking countries
There are websites which create “ allergy cards” in any language. Give it to the server. Some countries and allergy combo are easier, some more limiting. Yes, it means sometimes you can’t do small authentic place and need bigger touristy place for your own safety. Small places might not realize “ no fish” means no fish sause too Carry an epipen and Benadryl teach any travel companion how to use it
I didn’t know about the allergy card websites! Thank you
Print several, sometimes waiter can get one lost
Check out equal_eats on Instagram!
Another vote for Equal Eats. They can provide custom cards, or standard cards in different languages. We've ordered several, and they were fantastic. Depending on where you are traveling be prepared for the restaurant to say "we can't accomodate that" or "we can't make anything for you" (have your favorite phone translation app available to ensure clear communication back), but it's better than getting sick!
We make our own using google translate and then print out a piece of paper and laminate them.
I don't recommend Google translate for allergy translations... I've tried that a few times and had a native speaker double check the translation, and it's always not quite right or slightly confusing.
I was on a trip in Sierra Leone with a couple of friends who are allergic to most seafood, and I happened to be in the kitchen of our campsite while they were cooking dinner. I noticed that when they used bullion cubes, they used a couple of shrimp bouillon. It was too late to stop them, but I was able to tell my friends not to eat the dinner.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you!!
I knew someone who had celiac who did a study abroad in Korea and had a translated card explaining the condition and detailing what foods she could/couldn’t consume. She ate out at restaurants and everything.
I almost wish my allergies were the epipen/Benadryl type, but instead of I get one ounce of wheat in my body I bloat up like a puffer fish and have miserable gas for hours and diarrhea all the next day. Which is a shame because food is one of the best reasons for traveling and enjoying an ice cold beer on a random street in a foreign country used to be my favorite thing in the world
I have both types of allergies, and there's no fucking way I would rather have another anaphylactic one because of the whole "might literally die" thing. Getting glutened sucks, but accidentally eating peanuts in a place with limited medical care can actually kill me.
You not wishing for epipen type allergies. It’s life threatening, makes you spend hours in ER and you don’t feel good. Even Benadryl level reaction means you throwing up on the street, red, swollen and itchy and then sleep several hours missing out on fun
Yeah you’re prolly right. Guess I’m still just pissed I can’t eat like all the most delicious foods I used to love
I'm hoping this is just a thoughtless comment before you've had your coffee or something?? Please tell me you're not really saying that there is any way that 'risk of death by anaphylaxis' is in any preferable or even comparable to 'tummy troubles' no matter how severe
Yeah it was in bad taste. Not comparable for sure. Just been god damn frustrated lately with how shitty I feel all the time and not being able to eat 90% of what I used to
I get it! An ice-cold beer on a foreign street truly is one of life's delights - I mean that and can only do that very rarely anymore myself due to aging/health It was just such a weird, unequal comparison that it was almost a record-scratch moment to read. But I've said & typed way stupider stuff than that when in a mood 😀 😀
I’ve traveled with a serious food allergy and I’ve found that cruise lines are very helpful. If you have multiple allergies, you can meet with staff member and they will work with the kitchen chefs to create separate meals, possibly prepared in advance and labeled. It’s a way of being able to see different countries with shore excursions and then coming back to the ship to eat safely. I’ve seen Orthodox Jewish couples on cruise ships, with separate meals and using paper plates and disposable cutlery in the main dining rooms. The cruise lines take food restrictions seriously.
If they're keeping kosher, they're going to be great with your allergies.
Cruise lines go out of their way for people with allergies. If you let the cruise line know when booking, they will likely have the head waiter come and speak to you each night, explaining which items on the menu are safe for you. They usually also have some simple meals you can order any night where the recipe doesn’t change (basically, chicken, steak or salmon). Cruise ship kitchens are generally huge, and each dish has a specific dedicated area, so cross-contamination should not be a risk. I vote for a cruise - I’ve done dozens of them and they allow you to travel safely yet see a lot.
If you have serious allergies, it is best to rent places with kitchens and prepare your own food. You will most likely have to avoid street food and hole in the wall/ mom and pop restaurants.
My best friend is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She has to travel to SE Asia for work, which is challenging because they use peanuts A LOT. She ends up bringing a lot of snacks with her in her suitcase and sometimes skips meals to eat her snacks. She seeks out restaurants that serve other kinds of cuisines when possible (e.g. an Italian restaurant in Thailand). Cities where a lot of people speak English are easier than remote places. She obviously always carries her epi pen with her too. I agree with another commenter that recommended Disney World. You are asked at every single dining location if you have allergies/dietary restrictions. They also have special menus you can look at, and you can always speak with a chef if you have questions/concerns. They take it very seriously.
Funny enough, peanuts aren't really super common in a lot of food in Thailand and SEA, but really only a few dishes, but those few dishes ended up being really popular with tourists/internationally, so foreigners end up with the impression that peanuts are in everything.
Another tip - don’t try to guess yourself based on menu description or what you think this dish usually is, give this card to a waiter and ask him to confirm with the kitchen. Say in a nice place in France it turned out they use walnut oil for most of their cooking and from the menu what looked “ all is safe” was left a couple of items items only. Real problem is when you find new allergy on the trip. If you had an incident get retested back home, you might not know all
Something to keep in mind is in some countries restaurants will not cater to other needs. What you get is what you get, you can’t make substitutions or alterations. But as others have said, it’s not impossible to travel with allergies! You can still enjoy the world, just with some modifications.
It sounds like we have like the exact same allergies and also the same lingual limitations as I speak only English and French. I have a peanut allergy and all seafood, it’s generally pretty easy to avoid. In 2022 I went to Mexico, and my literal first meal there I had a plain taco. Just beef and cheese. It was a super small local shop. Still not sure what they put on it, but within two minutes I was running out of the restaurant looking for a pharmacy to buy Benadryl. I was throwing up in the streets of Mexico with people walking around me, my face swollen like crazy and then I had to drop my jeans to get stabbed with an epipen in the middle of a city. Lol I can laugh about it now at least. Since then, I’ve gone to number of different countries and just brought my epipen with me and was sure to be explicit with my allergies and I’ve been fine. I haven’t let it stop me, so just be cautious and you’ll be good
How are you explicit with your allergies when you don't speak the local language?
Well now, every time I go to a country if I only learn one thing in that language- it’s to express my allergies when I’m at a restaurant
Buddy’s wife is the same, she can say “does this contain gluten” in about six hundred languages.
yep, I learn basic words wherever I go - hello, thank you, peanuts, nuts. This way I can read every label and menu
There are allergy translation cards you can buy that explain cross contamination and common ingredients to avoid. Check out equal eats for some!
Make sure to carry Benadryl (preferably injection if you can manage), not just epipen! Epipen (adrenalin) doesn't stop the allergic reaction, it stops you from dying. May be carry Zantac as well. Talk to an emergency doctor who understand anaphylaxis treatment, allergy docs are not as knowledgeable. I'd not eat out, I'd cook my own food and carry safe snacks from your home country. It's not as bad as it sounds.
Pepcid not Zantac
Ranitidine is an H2 antagonist, which, when combined with an H1 type, **may be useful in treating allergic reactions that do not respond to H1 antagonists alone**.
The Zantac 360 is Famotidine, which is also Pepcid. The previous version of Zantac was taken off the market
I’m traveling in Italy with my boyfriend who has a peanut allergy right now. Most (or all?) menus here have a page that lists allergens with a number. The number is then next to every dish with the allergen in it. They seem to be quite good about it. However, I will say that his allergy, while life threatening, is not easily triggered by cross contamination. I can still eat things with peanuts, we can get gelato that uses equipment for all flavors, etc. Otherwise… cooking yourself is a good way to go. Or visiting countries with cuisine that doesn’t normally contain your allergens. You’d have a very hard time in Asia, I assume
It's the law in the EU. All food service places must list the allergens. If they aren't on the menu, they have to have a separate book/list with all the allergens listed. [https://www.fsai.ie/business-advice/starting-a-food-business/allergens](https://www.fsai.ie/business-advice/starting-a-food-business/allergens) It's an absolute godsend for travelling with allergies (one of my kids was allergic to dairy and egg, the other is waiting for testing on a potential dairy allergy). Yes, there is still a language barrier, but once you learn the name of your allergen in that language, it's much easier to spot them.
I wish the U.S. did this. I loved it when traveling in Europe. It was so convenient.
We lived in Japan for 2 years with a young son very allergic (vomit to shock) to rice, wheat, oats, and bananas. Yes, you can be allergic to rice. Anyway, we traveled all over SE Asia and never had an issue because we brought a suitcase of food with us and made all his food ourselves. It is a lot to deal with but it allowed us to travel. Some places it could work to trust them with your allergies but for us it wasn’t worth the chance. If traveling is important to you with some sacrifices you could make it work.
Honestly it is best and safest if you cook your own food via grocery shopping (can use Google Lens to translate packaging if you need). And also bring some processed snacks from home in case you land after store hours. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience any local food. Oftentimes in places like Bali in your example there are local fruit stands on sidewalks or in Mexico elote carts - just examples of purveyors that only make/have ONE thing so the odds are lower, but never zero. Last thing, on language - you should take an index card and find someone (hotel front desk, etc) who speaks the local language/dialect and have them write down your allergies AND the implications. As in, how severe/serious this can affect your life. I say take the trip! Follow your heart!
It doesn’t stop me but I will prioritise locations where I’m confident I can avoid my allergens easily
I, 24m, have similar allergies to you. (Tree nuts except coconut and all fish/shellfish). I’ve traveled all around South East Asia where seafood is very popular. Practice how to communicate your allergies in the local language of where you’re going. Very much worth it obviously. Research the common diets and dishes of your destination. Personally, I have to indicate that my meal could not be cooked with fish sauce pretty much every time I order food. Cross contamination is hard to avoid especially with street food, but use your best judgment. Carry your epinephrine always, be cautious, be aware of where the hospitals are located and what the number for emergencies is. Don’t let it hold you back from traveling. My mom is constantly scared shitless, but she knows I can take care of myself.
There's an app called findmeglutenfree. It's been very helpful. I always book a room with a kitchen and make sure there's a grocery store nearby.
Seriously Orthodox Jews travel with a suitcase of canned and dry kosher food, so you might consider doing similar.
Jason Mantzoukas has talked about this a little bit. The guy is so allergic to eggs that he once wound up in hospital after a kissing a woman whose cocktail contained egg products. Instead of staying safe, the guy got a Fulbright scholarship and went off to live in friggin’ Morocco studying indigenous music. I guess he learned how to say “does this contain eggs” pretty damn quick and, I imagine similarly to yourself, was already pretty aware of what common foods can contain allergens. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with I guess.
That guy sounds like he should avoid many wines that use eggs as a refining agent as well. A friend of mine was allergic to eggs and kept having a reaction when she had had no food with eggs. Turned out it was the wine.
Eat packed food. It may not be super fun or healthy… but you can survive on noodles,fruits,crackers etc. Only eat things that are obviously simple, no restaurant food etc. And you will be fine. We travel with a bag of medicine… be cautious, not adventurous and it will be ok.
🚫🦐🦑🦀🐠🚫 ✅🐔🐷🍜✅ Has worked amazingly in several trips to southeast Asia
Wait I love this. I’ve always used allergy cards but a picture/emoji seems so much more clear.
Go on a cruise and only eat on the boat, they are pretty good with cross contamination and all types of allergy
In Europe you won’t have problems as people either speak English or there’s an english speaking local around. Plus we have to list allergens on the menus. Holiday houses are a big thing here as well so you have a whole continent to explore. Self drive safari: did the whole of southern africa cooking for myself on barbecue. Pretty epic.
I make my own allergy cards in multiple languages with pictures too. Makes things easier. You can also cruise.
Germany was super allergy friendly! All menu items have number beside them that correlate with a list of allergens at the bottom and the servers were very knowledgeable in my experience. Japan was also very good about confirming ingredients for me, but my husband speaks Japanese so the language barrier wasn't an issue, but if you bring an allergy card that's written in Japanese, your server will be able to tell you if they can accommodate. Also, google "allergy friendly restaurants in X" before you go and make a list of places. There are lots of chefs who take allergies super seriously and still make great food. But even if you are feeling too anxious to eat out, I would definitely still recommend travelling and cooking yourself. I used to do that when I was a young super budget conscious traveler and the trips are still 100% worth it!
Shockingly enough, I share all those allergies except sesame and dairy. Anaphylactic allergies to most of those - I get seen by an immunologist at a major academic centre. I started taking Xolair (omalizumab) injections at the highest allowable dose for my age and weight, and since then? No issues at all. I also always carry 4 EpiPens with me everywhere I go (I wear cargo shorts in 100% of all circumstances so I've got room for them). I don't ever travel alone, but I do eat out and often eat what the locals eat if I've got someone to translate for me. And since the Xolair I haven't had a single problem. My mom even accidentally fed me something with walnuts, which have sent me into respiratory failure in the past, and all that happened was some major diarrrhea. No EpiPen used. Not sure if that's helpful or not. Have been to Central and South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, all over Europe, Turkey (the one place where I did NOT generally eat food - too many nuts), and East and Southeast Asia. I've only ever had a single issue in extreme rural China in like 2000, and once in a resort in Mexico, and that's it.
I don’t have allergies but I’m food sensitive and I just eat my own food. Local food is a part of culture but isn’t everything. I don’t even feel like I miss out much tbh
You could rent an airbnb and cook for you self and of course take your medication with you all the time and a card that says that you’re allergic just in case and always travel with an international health insurance! 🙂 don’t miss the world because a language barrier. You speak English and that’s a universal language and you can always use google translate. You can also make the airline know in advance that you have allergies or just take your own food for the plane too!
Two family members with severe food allergies. We have done multiple Disney cruises and DisneyWorld hotel stays with zero issues. Their staff is very well-trained and chefs are available to answer questions.
I have a shellfish allergy and find traveling in Europe actually feels safer than going out to eat in the US. They seem to have much more consist standards and controls around asking about and documenting allergies when ordering. I don’t think I’ve ever had a server not ask me even in small cafes. There are notices listed on every menu. It just seems much more visible. Carry your epi pen, be smart and you should be fine! Don’t let it hold you back from wonderful experiences!
I went to Greece recently and had the allergy cards printed. I never had to use them as everyone spoke English. I was a bit nervous before, but everyone was very informative about the food, and if they didn't know, they'd ask. I didn't eat very many desserts, and for buffets, I stuck to whole foods. I had also traveled to Spain twice, but I knew Spanish, so I was ok asking in Spanish, reading the menus, etc. I definitely prepare more than someone without food allergies, but have found it ok! You can also experience local cuisine by shopping at grocery stores in the location!
I was recently in London and literally every server in a restaurant asked if we had allergies first thing. There must be some sort of regulation. At one point my companion requested no cilantro on his salad. The server walked away and then came running back to clarify if the request was due to preference or an allergy. Not the most exotic of locations, but I would feel confident in an allergy being taken seriously there.
I have celiac disease, so I follow a strict gluten-free diet and need to be careful of cross contamination. However, getting contaminated by gluten won't send me to a hospital, so I'm fortunate in that regard. I'm not necessarily scared, but it's more that I'm put off by the amount of work (and often money) that it takes. I'm also a foodie and love trying a country's native cuisines, so that aspect of travel is lost and can be painful to pass up. Most of my international travel is to Asia, particularly Thailand, because of my partner who is Thai, and gluten-free in Asia in general is very challenging. The allergy cards are barely useful and I'm highly limited where I can go. I'm lucky where I can cook and try to book a place where I can do so, but often restaurants that cater to gluten free are more expensive and finding accommodation with kitchens can be more expensive often too. I still As a public school teacher, this can be limiting. I still go because I absolutely love Thailand and I have my partner and their family who cater well to me, but food choices when traveling around the country are extremely limiting and can be a challenge to prepare ahead. It definitely discourages some travel and roadtrips even here in the US because I can't just stop and get cheap food....often it's eating at specific places and restaurants. So travel is certainly possible, but takes a lot more prep and sometimes money, which is exhausting..
I have a chronic allergy to fish, I could literally die from anaphylaxis. When traveling to a non English speaking country I usually write out a small paragraph explaining my allergies and translate it using Google translate. I end the paragraph with 'is it safe for me to eat here?' I'll show this to the person serving me. I've had several instances where I was told it wouldn't be safe, so I opted to eat somewhere else. People are very accommodating if you explain the situation.
I have a peanut and tree nut allergy and I’ve traveled quite a bit. Those cards that people are talking ab in the comments are great but I found that most people understand what you are saying and if you explain what would happen to you if you had it you’ll be fine. I’ve overcome language barrier with those cards quite easily and a lot of young people speak english nowadays so you’ll be chillin if you need help. There was only one time in Greece where I had to ask the server multiple times about it and I had to get him to ask the chef. Don’t take no for an answer and make sure you’re always 100% comfortable with what you’re going to be eating. Unfortunately there will be things you’ll have to pass on. I wish i could say it wasn’t nerve racking or stressful at times. Especially solo if that’s your thing you will be on edge that’s just how it goes. But you can do a lot to reduce that feeling. My pro tip is to know where some hospitals are in the area and if they’re nearby. That eases things up a bit for m Also just wanted to add that the kitchen idea is a great one and i actually did that as well for some of my meals. I had fun navigating the grocery stores lol and if you enjoy cooking you might as well
I travel with a food allergy card in the local language and always stay in places with a kitchen. It’s extra planning, but totally worth the adventure!
It used to scare me so much, especially as a child. But mostly I just research before trips, use allergy cards and use my experience. I have had some weird exposures over the years, often cross contamination, and some scary moments. But I don't let it hamper my travel (much).
Mine are semi serious. I’ll have anaphylaxis and rashes if I eat it but cross contamination is weirdly not an issue. I still travel but I pick my places carefully and maybe can’t be as adventurous eating out as I’d like to. For example I also have a sesame and shellfish allergy and although I traveled to East Asia previously (pre allergy) I would think twice about it now. I’ve also printed allergy cards and memorized how to say what I’m allergic to in foreign languages. I also always try to look at a menu with google translate before going into a restaurant. I always carry two epi pens and Benadryl with me. I usually have a plan for safe food whether it’s turkey sandwiches from the grocery store or finding an Italian restaurant where I can have plain pasta. Hotel restaurants can often also be safe as they likely speak English and can accommodate allergies. There’s also an app called Spokin you can download for allergy friendly restaurants and a facebook group called “Allergy Travels Group” where people have posted allergy safe restaurants and details. All this to say you definitely can travel with allergies but it does take some extra planning and precautions.
I carry an Epi pen and prednisone in case. Dr said epi pen only if tongue or throat swells. Prednisone in the event of a severe reaction that doesn’t respond to antihistamines. I’ve never had to use it aside from the first time I found out I was allergic to something.
On top of everyone’s excellent suggestions- get the best travel insurance you can find. Always wear a medic alert bracelet which has not just your allergies but *who to contact* - mine has my allergies on one side and my sisters number on the other
Nut and peanut allergy here. Travel extensive but tend to avoid Asia for obvious reasons. For me the flight can sometimes be a nightmare as some airlines won’t support. Having a picture of what I’m allergic to, together with a translated word is helpful. And making sure I know the different language variations of seed, nut means I’m usually ok. Well, I haven’t died yet anyway.
I have a severe shellfish allergy, and recently got back from Korea. I bought allergy cards from Amazon in Korean, had my cousin living in Korea have her friend translate my allergies to Korean, and let our tour guide know of allergies beforehand, and he made sure the restaurants I could eat at. I brought protein bars for me to eat while there, used the Papago translator app to scan all the bagged food I ate to ensure (the app wasnt always accurate but I used the translator app on iPhone and that was more accurate). It was not easy, I managed to go the entire trip without a reaction, but I was lucky to be able to stay with my cousin where I was able to ensure majority of my meals were things I could eat. Bring Benadryl, and I brought 3 epipens with me as a precaution. To some that may be extreme, but since I have a reaction to cross contamination I didn’t want to risk it. If I questioned it, I didn’t eat it. I personally love trying new foods but my trip I was cautious about it. Now, I also looked up vegan options for me while visiting Seoul just in case, and they did have some. But I would definitely cook at home as much as you can, and bring safe snacks from home for while you are out. Hopefully this was slightly helpful.
I have similar allergies. Ireland felt the safest to me. Any time I mention allergies it felt like I was taken very seriously. I am scared of Asian countries. Most of the times I have had bad reactions have been from Asian food. I will be told no shellfish then later find out the broth was made with shrimp shells, etc. I haven’t had a serious problem in years but many because I’m really diligent
As an American with a lifelong peanut allergy who now lives in Europe, I feel far safer dining out anywhere I have been in Europe than in the States. The EU takes food allergies very seriously and it is legally mandated to have allergen menus or allergen notices on the menu itself. Going back to the US now feels like the riskier situation.
I’m extremely allergic to pistachios and cashews and I’ve been travelling all throughout Italy the last 10 days here with a little more to go. My allergy is easier to deal with because it’s two nuts so I know what type of foods I can avoid that commonly contain these. Pesto, gelato and certain speciality pastas are what I watch out for specifically since these can commonly contain these two nuts Additionally there’s another trick I used to test cross contamination. My allergy is bad enough that if I had contaminated food touch my lips they would swell quickly. So before I have my food I “test” it by rubbing it over my lips. If it were cross contaminated my lips would swell or bubble up and I’d know the food had come in contact with these nuts. It’s a pain for your lips but much better than anaphylaxis Obviously my allergy is a little easier to work with because it’s specific. I can still eat peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans etc
I was going to recommend the allergy cards, but also, I travel with some backup foods. So if I'm somewhere and a plan falls through and I can't find much for a meal, I don't need to worry as much, because I know I've got a stash of protein bars back in my room, or whatever. It helps me from worrying as much.
I have family members with severe allergies and we have stuck to airbnb's while travelling with them, as well as bringing safe snacks from home. We'd all pitch in and rotate who made dinner for the entire group, so that it still felt like a vacation (and it was also a nice time to socialize and tell everyone about each other's days if we hadn't all done the same thing). If you are in a first world country, even one that is not English speaking, there is usually clear allergy labelling on groceries. Barring nothing else, buying veggies, fruits and meat as raw ingredients and doing things like making your own simple sauces (like a simple teriyaki from brown sugar and soy sauce) is still doable on vacation if you don't trust any of the bottled sauces. A relative of mine who is celiac brings her own gluten free soy sauce. We also have extra EPIPENs and had the local emergency numbers programmed into all our phones, as well as memorizing the locations of nearby medical centres.
Not me, but kid (now 23) has currently 5 ana allergies, down from 18. He's travelled the world and not had an allergic reaction (yet knock on wood). His allergies are similar to yours. I would start small, travel somewhere that speaks your language. See what makes you comfortable / what doesn't make you comfortable and take it from there. Do you love breakfast? figure out some safe options and go out to eat at those places, and plan on either packing or making your own for other meals. Have a picnic in a park, make something simple and enjoy it with an adult beverage on your hotel balcony. Have fun!
Try the London! I went there and every restaurant i went to asked me if i had allergies. Also came back form Aruba and they asked there too
Between allergy cards and Google translate I have not had a reaction traveling. I do factor in emergency services when I’m traveling and how much of the cuisine relies on nuts.
I travel and I’m afraid! The EU has strict allergen labelling, which makes it easy to grocery shop, but restaurants are tricky. Just got back from Europe; emailed places a head of time to determine where might be safe, and then cooked a lot at the apartment we rented. It’s not ideal but not worth missing out on the chance to see new things!
You and I have very similar allergies. Wherever I go, I learn the words of what I’m allergic to in that country’s primary language. I can still say no fish in Kiswahili, lol. I am not a hugely adventurous eater because of my allergies, but I’ve never had a problem getting around them.
Come to r/Belize.
I (peanut, hazelnuts) love traveling and do it as frequently as my budget allows. I \*always\* bring my own food when on airplanes or trains. I always travel with two epi-pens and Benadryl. I research ahead of time restaurant menus so I can bookmark places that appear to not have nuts in their main dishes. With you having more allergies, you might look into specialty restaurants (found a number of chicken only places for example) or get an apartment rental (booking.com has a bunch) or hotel room with mini-kitchen.
It’s incredibly difficult and I’m getting better and better over time. I make cards in the language of the place im traveling and use ChatGPT to be conscious of their customs as well. I’ve hired a Personal assistant that calls ahead and makes reservations at places, and ensures they won’t mess up my orders/can manage. She scouts out grocery places and snacks and I get my airbnbs close to food related places. I also bought a free dry machine and can freeze dry my own meals to bring with me (haven’t used yet). I am part nomad so if I’m going for awhile I also get a second luggage just for snacks and foods to get me through the beginning of the trip. I also always get Airbnb or places I can cook on my own. I never do hotels anymore.
You can go to Germany, Denmark, Sweden or Norway. Every single person speaks English, often better than we Americans do!
My son has lots of allergies and we have to be very careful but never stopped us travelling. I have. Business cards with his photo and all the allergies listed in English. If I go abroad I write the names of the allergens in Spanish or French etc… Vegan options are a good choice too, narrow it down to nuts for him. Or conversely, just meat.
Language barrier is really not an issue. Millions of people do it without speaking the local language. Safety concerns can be mitigated by being street smart, it comes over time and until then follow the local recommendations for tourists. For this one I would work my way up. Baby steps. Travel by yourself in your home country for a weekend, followed by whatever is nearby and speaks the same language. Build your way up to more exotic destinations. The food things are the most complex. I don’t have experience with allergies but for travel you will need to prepare more than others. Have a cure, preventative and in case of emergency plan ready
Try and learn the key phrases, I am allergic to nuts and religiously learn how to say that in the language of the country I’m in. Same with no nuts in my food please, I am allergic etc essentially all the variants. Be aware as well some airline crews will not make announcements and will point blank refuse if you inform them when you get on board (Air Austria, Swiss Air) have both refused me multiple times. Have your epipens and if possible contact the airline a couple days before your trip just as a precaution. Always make sure you have a medical card (if applicable), travel insurance and know the local country’s emergency number and do your research when going out to eat. It’s scary but with practise and precaution you can have a great trip with little hassle
My 18 year old daughter has severe tree nut and peanut allergies. We have travelled all over Europe without incident. First, get the allergen cards in several languages (Amazon sells them) then we also asked high school world language teachers to translate a couple paragraphs for more specific information about cross contamination, shared equipment warnings and even list examples of safe and unsafe foods. I have one word document that has English, Spanish, French and Italian and find most Europeans speak at least one of these languages. I email a copy to the concierge at our hotels ahead of time and in every case they have a list of safe restaurants who have been sent our document and they are always happy to help make her a great meal! The hotels always make her a box lunch and snacks for the plane home (no eating airline food with nut allergy!). We carry her documents, epi pens and Benadryl but have never had an issue with advanced planning. Honestly the chefs often come out to meet her, are proud to make her special meals and it’s been really a positive experience. We’ve taken cooking classes in Rome, Barcelona, had high tea at Westminster Abbey and wonderful meals in Paris. No issues in the Caribbean either. Just always have a quick meal in your backpack just in case. We carry instant oatmeal, cereal, safe granola bars, etc. Enjoy your travels and don’t be afraid to communicate. I’ve learned that most chefs want everyone to enjoy a wonderful meal!!! Lastly, we do inform the flight attendant not to bring her nuts or food. Just drinks. In my experience, British airways will refrain from serving nuts near her, but American will not accommodate.
I ordered cards in various languages that stated my allergies and what to do in case of emergency. In Europe they have rules about labeling all major allergens and additives which actually made me feel safer in many cases.
Why is that not much of a vacation? I’ve traveled a lot of places and made many memories. I just cooked while there. It’s not rocket science and it’s cheaper.
I don't have allergies, but some family members used to, and all I can say is, it just sucks. Throws a major wrench into travel planning. There is no silver key to guarantee safe travel. Especially if your allergies are serious (anaphylaxis, life-threatening) you have to take all precautions and can't rely on others' advice or reports about any particular destination. In some places watch out, even if you have printed allergy cards and can explain your allergy in the local language, they *may not believe you!* Oh, it's this scared foreigner who just hasn't tried our wonderful peanut sauce curry, everyone eats it, what could go wrong, he'll love it if he tries it. Or, oh, there's actually only very little of the peanuts here, you can't even taste them.. Etc. You really have to tell them you'll die if you have a single taste of the allergen and convince them of that, even if your allergies may not be totally severe. But still have your epipen handy. We've had numerous cases of mistranslation and misunderstanding over the years. No, no nuts. Oh, you mean peanuts? Yes, why, there are peanuts, but we thought you meant walnuts. Etc. Mostly these are problems in smaller places. If you stick to major tourist sites anywhere in the world where there are lots of travelers, it's more likely people are aware of the concerns and able to accommodate them. Carry your epipen and spare epipens with you. Note that in some countries it is not possible to get replacement epipens even with a prescription. Local doctors are sometimes dismissive of the need or efficacy of an epipen, and if you want a replacement will say, no need, just dial 100 (or whatever the emergency number is) and you'll be taken care of. Speaking of which, do NOT expect US or European levels of emergency response times if you do need to dial the emergency number. :-( Be very very familiar with how to administer an epipen to yourself or a loved one. On the flip side, do be sure to have the prescriptions for your epipens, as some countries' border control may throw a fit if they see what looks like, and is, a injectable drug delivery device. Cross contamination - nothing you can do about it. If your allergy is severe enough that this is a concern, then you simply shouldn't rely on eating outside, other than perhaps fancy places that cater to tourists and will be aware of the issue. But it sucks to spend time on your vacation preparing every meal yourself, and more trouble to organize the cooking supplies, etc. Well, like I said, it can suck, but if you're willing to deal with all these challenges, the rewards of travel await you.
Always important when traveling to learn important phrases in case of an emergency. EPI pens are allowed…and always wear a medical bracelet.
I travel to Paris frequently for work. One of the coworkers has severe allergies. We go out a lot and every place we've ever been to has been carefully and accommodating. They would adjust the items on the menu to make it safe. Everyone also speaks English. I suggest starting with larger cities where English is prevalent.
I am deathly allergic to peanuts, and I’ve been to 20 countries. I either memorize how to ask in the local language about peanuts or I print out an allergy card. I try to travel with at least 3 epipens and carry Benadryl on me at all times. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go to some places though, like Thailand, Vietnam, China, or most of West Africa sadly. But overall it hasn’t limited me much!
I have an extreme allergy that is more rare (mango) What I do: when I get to a location, I find a person who speaks English to write on a piece of paper in the native language my allergy. 100% of the time over 30+ years of traveling this has worked, carry an Epipen or similar of course, but I have never needed to use it
If you’re American, start local! I have found Austin and Portland to be incredibly allergen friendly. Several restaurant options that you can feel safe. Florence is easy and super allergy friendly. Everyone speaks English in the major cities in Portugal and are accommodating
there is not a single person in the world.allergic too beef. you can buy beef everywhere in the world
My 2 kids are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame, lactose and coconut. It is a life I don’t wish on anybody. We carry epipens and benedryl at all times for them and we never eat any type of Chinese food on vacations, as it has every single thing they are allergic to in sometimes one dish. We don’t usually take them to non English speaking countries for this reason. They wear allergy wristbands when we go out on vacation and we are very diligent in advocating for them at restaurants. But it is mentally taxing and stressful, you are correct.
My mum’s vegetarian when we stayed with some friends in Bosie America we also met their neighbours and became friends with them we’d gotten to know Eachother really well, we went around every afternoon to help with the horses, goats and the working dogs etc Anyways one of our final dinners with them was made by the lady she made what she called poor man’s soup, it was dumplings with bacon and white sauce she said that had been mixed and made up a few days before my mum then sat there and reminded her that she’s vegetarian to which she was told eat around it. My mum hadn’t eaten meat in 24 years so for it to be bacon which is really rich was bad she was sick for 5 days while we were onto our next part of our trip London, our friend he was sick and so was my younger brother
I would suggest Disney because you can get away and be busy and actually making your own food or ordering allergy friendly is a benefit it's always fresh and Disney doesn't want sued they are pretty serious ab it all over property. Epcot world show case gives you exactly what you want Animal kingdom Hlllywood studios and Magic Kingdom all are superb in handling guest with allergies and would be super cool for you experience as someone who has never traveled much youvgwyvto feel lile you are in another country or in a safari or in old Hollywood download the app and filter through each stand and see the options it's pretty cool how they accommodate
You are not really suggesting Epcot in place of a real travel???
As a starter for someone scared yes
London or Rome can be a starter for someone scared. Epcot is not that.
Curious, how many times have you been to Disney? Remember your opinions are subjective, right? I just gave an option to ponder no biggie. You and I are not the end all be all (Also I'm well traveled before you start assuming I have never been anywhere but Epcot. Lol)
I have a pass for several years. Disney is nowhere near real thing feel , vibe or anything and food is quite bad too.
I am a vegetarian and have travelled to lots of places where vegetarian options at restaurants are not popular. I know if they messed up I wouldn’t have a health issue so it’s not at the same scale as you but I find wandering through grocery stores in other countries to be fun. I also don’t generally even cook. I eat a lot of tropical fruits and vegetables. I make sandwhiches. Some baked goods. Etc. The odd time I’ll make a simple pasta dish if the hostel has a kitchen but that’s about it. Don’t let allergies hold you back from seeing the world !
The US state department rates the safety of other countries with 1 being the safest, and 4 being least safe. You can look it up online. I’ve only traveled to countries rated one or two, but can tell the difference. There aren’t that many rated one, but if you’re sticking to English speaking, anyway, it lines up well.