This guide is not specific to any particular food hypersensitivity - the term used to cover a food allergy or intolerance. You know what foods you or your child should avoid on a day-to-day basis in your own home, but you may feel anxious about venturing into unfamiliar territory, especially when abroad.
The following advice will give you some direction. In particular, it covers coeliac disease, some common allergies, such as milk and peanut, and food intolerances, including lactose - you just need to tailor it to your needs.
Restaurants
Ring the restaurant beforehand and speak to the chef or manager to explain your condition and why it is important you avoid certain foods.
If abroad, you may wish to write this down on a card, some allergy support organisations produce templates for you to fill in your own details.
Alternatively, if you wish produce your own, remember to:
- use brightly-coloured card
- print several copies so you don't run out
- laminate the card
- check the information with your dietician
- always use the card to support your conversation with the chef/manager - and not replace it
Ask if there's something suitable on the menu you can eat; if there isn't, ask if the chef can prepare a dish especially for you. You could suggest foods that you know you can eat safely.
On arrival, check that your request has been relayed to all relevant staff. You may also wish to ask the chef to show you the ingredient labels of the products used to create your dish.
Avoid sauces, unless they're prepared especially for you - they usually contain gluten and common allergens, such as cow's milk and nuts.
If you're avoiding nuts, peanuts or seeds, check that high-risk items, such as breads, baked items and desserts, as well as Chinese, Indian and other composite (mixed ingredients) meals, are not at risk of cross-contamination.
Take-aways
Try to visit in person, rather than phoning, to explain your condition.
Fish & chips, Chinese and Indian meals are best avoided unless you're confident your take-away will not have been cooked with contaminated oil or cooking equipment.
Some pizza chains will put a topping on a gluten-free base, which you supply yourself. Ring beforehand to check they're happy to do this.
Buffets and children's parties
Ring the host beforehand to explain your or your child's condition.
Tell the host which foods can and can't be eaten and ask whether the foods safe to eat can be prepared and served separately. Alternatively, you may wish to supply your own food.
Explain to children that they mustn't swap their food with friends.
Short breaks and holidays abroad
Ring your hotel to explain your condition and ask what they can safely provide for you.
If you have a food allergy and need to carry medication, ask your GP to write a note explaining the reasons for this.
Take plenty of oral rehydration salts with you in case you have diarrhoea and make sure you drink plenty of water to replace lost fluid.
When eating in restaurants abroad, follow the advice under ‘Restaurants' above. If you carry a card alerting the chef to your condition, you may wish to carry translation cards in the local language. This service is offered by several food allergy and intolerance support organisations. However, if you have difficulty obtaining a card you could contact a language teacher at your local school, college or university, who may be able to write a statement for you.
The following advice is specific to people with coeliac disease:
Always take a sufficient supply of gluten-free bread, cereals and biscuits, plus dried fruit for the duration of the holiday. For longer-than-average holidays, you may wish to contact the coeliac society of that country.
If you like toast, check that a separate toaster or clean grill is used. You may wish to take your own toaster bags.
Ask your GP to give you a note explaining why you need to take a supply of gluten-free foods with you, especially if you're taking prescription items. The note should state that you need to take these in the airline cabin with you.
Prescriptions issued in the UK can't be dispensed abroad, so take enough for the duration of your holiday.
Travelling by land or air?
If flying, ring the airline to request a special meal (e.g. gluten-free, peanut-free) - but take snacks too, in case the message doesn't get through to the on-board staff. There's a wide variety of items you can take with you - those that take no preparation, such as sandwiches and cereal bars, to those which take minimal preparation, such as instant soups - simply ask the flight attendant to provide you with some hot water.
If travelling by car, coach or train your options include a cool bag with chopped vegetables and dips and/or sandwiches, as well as ready-to-eat foods or instant soups and a flask of hot water.
Shopping abroad
Follow the same advice you would in the UK and always read the list of ingredients. If you're outside the EU, don't buy pre-packed food because allergens are not required by law to be stated in their ingredients list.
Don't buy any product that is sold loose or in multipacks, such as on a market stall - these are exempt from food labelling legislation.
For more information on eating out safely, visit:
Coeliac UK
Anaphylaxis Campaign
Allergy UK
Yellow Cross