Guest guest Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Traveling with Dietary Restrictions Last Updated: 02/11/09 Anyone who has food allergies or follows a special diet (such as kosher or vegan) knows that sticking to your food regimen can sometimes be tricky -- especially when you're traveling overseas and struggling to explain exactly what ovo-vegetarianism is to a waiter who only speaks a dozen words of English. But your dietary restrictions don't have to keep you stuck at home and chained to your own kitchen. Traveling with dietary restrictions takes careful planning and a willingness to communicate your needs clearly ... and sometimes repeatedly. The following tips will help you overcome language barriers, find restaurants that fit your diet and stay safe in the case of an allergic reaction. Trip Planning Research your destination and be prepared for any food-related challenges you may face with regard to local eating customs. For example, nearly a third of India's population is vegetarian, so it's easy to find meatless dishes there. But vegetarianism is a foreign concept in most of South America. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't visit South America if you're a vegetarian or a vegan; however, you can expect to spend a lot of time explaining to befuddled waiters exactly what you're able to eat (and why vegetable soup made with beef stock doesn't qualify). Call ahead. Most travel outfitters can make arrangements to meet your dietary needs if they're given plenty of notice. In fact, we recommend multiple calls -- one as far in advance as possible to make preliminary arrangements, and another a few days before your trip to confirm your request. You can avoid the hassle of making your own arrangements by booking a trip with a specialty outfitter that caters to your particular dietary needs -- like a kosher cruise with Kosherica or a vegetarian biking trip to England with Bicycle Beano. Food Allergy Translation Cards. The International Vegetarian Union offers a directory of vegetarian phrases in a variety of world languages. . . Whether you buy cards or make your own, it's a good idea to research how to read and pronounce the word(s) for your particular dietary condition -- this will help you decipher menus and nutrition information labels, and enable you to communicate with anyone you encounter, regardless of their level of literacy. The tourist board for your destination should be able to help you with translation and pronunciation. Restaurants Talk to your innkeeper or hotel concierge about which nearby restaurants or grocery stores would be suitable for your needs. (Calling ahead of time will give them time to do a little research on your behalf.) You may also be able to find restaurant recommendations online; in particular, there are a number of sites that offer directories of vegetarian restaurants and health food stores. At restaurants, address your dietary needs with your waiter or, better yet, the chef (who may be the only person who knows exactly what ingredients are in each dish). Show your food allergy card if you have one; if you don't, and you don't speak the local language, see if you can find another diner at the restaurant to help you translate. Don't be afraid to ask the kitchen to modify a dish or to prepare something that isn't on the menu -- most restaurants can quickly throw together a veggie-only salad or another simple dish. (Note that this is easiest if the kitchen isn't too busy, so you may want to eat at non-peak times.) Accommodations The best way to control your diet on the road is to book accommodations where you can cook for yourself. Vacation rentals are a good choice, as are home exchanges -- or look for a hotel with a kitchen. You can stock your pantry with food from local grocery or health food stores; just be sure you know enough of the local language to read the nutrition labels. Another option to consider is a bed and breakfast. The owners of these small properties can often take more time to accommodate their guests' special needs -- and in some cases they may grant you access to their kitchen. Trains, Planes, Cars and Boats When possible, bring your own food with you onto the plane or train. Just be sure to follow all pertinent airport security rules for liquids and gels if you're flying -- and if you're traveling to another country, check its customs regulations to be sure your food is permitted to cross the border. (Many countries do not allow travelers to bring animal products or fresh fruits and vegetables from other nations.) Packing your own grub is even easier if you're traveling by car -- you can stow your goodies in a cooler for longer freshness. Most airlines can accommodate a wide variety of special diets as long as they have advance notice. You must usually request a special meal at least 24 hours before your flight. The day of your trip, speak with the gate agent or a flight attendant to confirm that your special meal has made it onto your plane. Cruise lines have grown increasingly accommodating of special diets and should be able to handle most common allergies and dietary restrictions. Vegetarians in particular will find at least one option in most onboard restaurants, while travelers with other diets should call ahead of time to make arrangements. For more information, see Cruising with Dietary Restrictions. Resources Vegetarian/Vegan • Bicycle Beano: Vegetarian bicycling holidays in England and Wales • Green Earth Travel: Vegetarian travel agency • GreenPeople: Vegetarian societies in the U.S. and around the world • HappyCow: Vegetarian restaurants, health food stores, accommodations, retreats and more • International Vegetarian Union: Vegetarian restaurants, accommodations, travel agencies and more • SoyStache: Vegetarian/vegan societies around the world • VegDining.com: Vegetarian and vegan restaurants around the world • Vegetarian Resource Group: Vegetarian vacations and restaurants, links to vegetarian groups in the U.S. and Canada • Vegetarian Travel Guide: Health food stores, vegetarian restaurants and other vegetarian resources for U.S. cities • Vegetarian Vacations: Vegetarian holidays worldwide --written by Sarah Schlichter http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm? AID=864 & category=5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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