SPECIAL DIETS DIRECTORY Devon, United Kingdom
info@specialdietsdirectory.co.uk Tel: 01752 863592 Mob: 07976 166764		 Newsletter
Home NewsletterAbout UsCompetitionsFree Offers/SamplesForums & Bulletin BoardsNews & InfoLinksFAQs/TermsContact UsAdvertise your businessSubscribers AreaFood Trade NetworkCarriage PointMediaHandy TipsBooks & GiftsJobsPersonal ShopperRestaurantsHotels / B&BsCookwareFairtrade ShopSpecial Diets StorePetitionsWho Likes Us!
Print-friendly version
Home Page > Links > Travelling on a special diet

Travelling on a special diet

How can I make Travelling on a Special Diet Hassle Free?

(section under construction)

Flying



In flight food is rarely a joy but with a special dietary requirement it can take on a whole new dimension! Firstly check your airline offers meals suitable for your dietary needs, if so they normally need at least 24 - 96 hours advance notice so bear this in mind if it is a last minute booking.  Ensure your requirements are recorded at the time of booking and that details of your diet type  is shown on your eticket under your PNR (booking reference) if you have one. It is always a good move to reconfirm within 96 hours of departure.  Even with these precautions what you end up with is often not right or just plain awful!  You will probably even be missing the items everyone else has and that are safe for you to eat!
So whatever you do - make sure you take some gluten free snacks just in case!


Eating out on holiday


Just pitching up and demanding special dietary food is running the risk of putting your health at risk, and due to global lack of awareness unfortunately likely to end in tears!

Whether you are booking direct with the hotel or via a tour operatior or travel agent make your needs very clear and ensure you obtain written confirmation of the details.  So many gloss over it and do not give special dietary requirements the attention it warrants.  If you have a severe allergy, coelaic disease or a medical condition that requires a strict avoidance of certain foods then spell out the consequences of what could happen if your needs are ignored - both verbally and in writing.  Ignorance is all around you so leave anyone booking anything that involves food for you in absolutely no doubt of the importance of your request.  If they are not comfortable with it or having a problem taking it on board, walk away and book elsewhere.

Once you arrive it's take a leisurly stroll around looking at menus in advance and put in your order a day or so in advance. Talk to the manager before you book and if abroad use a translation card or factsheet (see below).

Useful 'Props'

It eases the hassle factor considerable to devise a translation card to carry with you with details of what foods you can safely eat in the language of the country or countries you are visiting.  It is worth getting this done professionally especially if you are highly sensitive. to point out the problems with cross contamination and the need for seperate utensils, pots, cooking oils etc for your meal..

Also cobble together some stock phrases in the local language to reel out parrot fashion when needed.

To avoid constant repetition it may be worth building up a fact sheet to hand to them explaining your requirements and why.

If you have coeliac disease then take a look at a  where a kind couple in the US, Roger and Lyndsay of Celiac travel share the knowledge they have built  up from experience and hav kindly put together Celiac Translation cards in many languages for coeliacs to print off free of charge (donations are voluntary but any token contributions would be greatly appreciated). Click here to see their  free gluten free restaurant dining cards.
Copyright © SPECIAL DIETS DIRECTORY 2012 Devon, United Kingdom Directory Software by Global 7