Preparing for Travel with a Food Allergic Child

Filed in archive Allergy Blogs , Food Allergies on August 8, 2007

Over the last four, almost five, years, I've done a lot of traveling with my son, who has multiple food allergies. Well, I really don't know it any other way, but I think it takes a lot more planning and well, luggage, when you're traveling with a kid with allergies. Aside from the medications, we've always had to bring supplies along, which is manageable if you're going just for the weekend or a few days. But if you're going on, let's say, a two-week holiday, it gets a bit complicated, not to mention heavier and bulkier. I remember there was a time we had to bring 6 1-liter packs of rice milk for a 2-week holiday, because there's not a lot of local stores that stocks up on rice milk.

Have a look at what Janeen packed when they went on holiday:

We brought cereal, safe pasta, tomato sauce, snacks, flour mix to make pizza crust, safe bread, raisins, shelf stable soy milk, etc. I also packed a cooler with Silk Soy Yogurt because I didn't know where I could score any in Ocean City. [snip]
I brought our own toaster for the waffles. Their toaster would have toasted "regular" bread and would have been contaminated. I also brought our own pizza pan, mixing spoons, measuring cups etc. to be on the safe side.

And it doesn't stop there. She also inquired on nearby grocery stores if they carry the stuff that's safe for her son to eat. Had a look at safe dining places at their destination as well as places where they can make a stop during the drive. Man, is there anything Janeen didn't get covered?

As I've said, I give you a full 10 points for preparing for this trip, J. Hats off!