6 Tips for Travelling with Dietary Requirements

If you have a food intolerance or other dietary requirement, then eating out can be a nightmare at the best of times. How many times have you been sat at a restaurant table with only one thing to choose from on a menu (if that!)?

Travelling abroad then, where you’ll be even more reliant on restaurants than normal, and dietary requirements may be less understood, can be a daunting prospect.

But fear not! Check out our 6 handy tips for travelling with dietary requirements, and take the stress out of eating abroad.

1. Let us Know

If you’re booking a tour with us, you may have some meals included as part of the package. These can often be tailored to your dietary requirements, taking a huge amount of stress out of the process. Just let your travel advisor know, and they’ll do their best to cater for your needs.

2. Learn the Lingo

Make sure you learn some key words in the local language before travelling abroad. Learning the words for the ingredients you want to avoid will help you spot them in menus, and allow you to communicate your dietary requirements to restaurant owners. It may also be helpful to print out some cards which explain your dietary requirements in the local language.

3. Hit the Markets

If you are finding it difficult to find suitable food in local restaurants, take matters into your own hands! Scour the local markets for fruit and vegetables that you can enjoy. These can either be enjoyed as they come, or your accommodation may have a kitchen in which you can prepare your own meals.

4. Find Backpacker Restaurants

In some places around the world, dietary requirements may not be as understood as they are at home. Vegetarian meals may be few and far between, and vegan-friendly food can be even harder to track down. Restaurants that are set up to cater for backpackers may have a better choice, as their menus are planned with Western tastes in mind.

5. Pack Some Snacks

If all else fails, it’s helpful to pack a few snacks that you can fall back on in an emergency. Just be sure that any food you pack does not break any customs rules for that country. You can also keep stocked up on appropriate snacks any time you come across them in shops while you are travelling.

6. Be Prepared

If you have a serious food allergy, be sure to pack plenty of medication for dealing with an allergic reaction. If you are travelling with others, let them know about your allergies and show them where they can find your medication in an emergency. You should also ensure you have adequate insurance to cover any medical costs that might arise from an emergency. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling for more advice.

For more travel advice, or any information about how our tours can cater for your dietary requirements, give us a call on 01892 280555, ping us a message at [email protected], or chat to us live online.