Traveling should be about making memories—not worrying about the next meal. But for families managing food allergies, vacations often come with an extra layer of planning that those without dietary restrictions never have to think about.
This summer, Melissa Mueller-Douglas decided to change that.
Instead of spending her trip researching restaurants and reading ingredient labels, she devoted a couple of hours before leaving to preparing meals for her family of four, including her two children with food allergies.
"It was one of the best decisions I made for our trip," she said. "Instead of wondering where we'd find safe food, we already had meals we trusted."
The payoff wasn't just convenience or saving money. "It gave our family something even more valuable," she said. "Peace of mind."
The Importance of Preparation
That feeling is one many in the allergy community know well.
For some, preparation means cooking nearly every meal before leaving home. For others, it means knowing exactly where the nearest grocery store is or carrying a backup meal in a carry-on bag "just in case." Whatever the strategy, everyone agrees on one thing—the less uncertainty surrounding food, the more enjoyable the trip becomes.
Amy Burkett has been traveling with her family including her son Chase who has allergies for years, and every vacation starts long before the car is packed. She prepares safe meals ahead of time, fills coolers with foods she knows he can eat, researches grocery stores near their destination, and calls ahead to make sure her son's trusted brands will be available if they need to restock.
"My biggest worry is running out of food," she said.
That concern influences everything from how much food she packs and how she labels his containers to where the family stays. Vacation rentals with kitchens offer flexibility, while hotel stays require more planning. Amy now calls ahead to make sure rooms have a microwave after discovering the hard way during one trip that not all lodging does.
Even once they arrive, preparation continues. Before using a shared barbecue grill, they thoroughly scrub it to reduce the risk of cross-contact before cooking Chase's meal.
"The planning part is easier now," she said. "But I don't know if it ever really gets easier for moms."
Beyond the Food
Food, however, is only part of the story.
For parents, there's also the emotional side of travel. Amy thinks beyond simply making sure Chase has something safe to eat. She packs special treats so that when everyone else is enjoying dessert or vacation favorites, he doesn't feel left out.
"It's hard to watch him sit there while everyone else has new foods," she said. "I always try to make sure he has something special."
Adults living with food allergies understand those emotions, too.
When Sandy Glantz travels, a small orange bag always goes into her carry-on. Inside are familiar, shelf-stable foods she knows she can rely on if meals served on a flight or group tour aren't safe. Thankfully, she says, that isn't common—but having backup food means she never has to wonder what she'll eat.
Sandy has also developed a mindset that helps her enjoy travel even when food options are limited.
"If I start to feel deprived," she said, "I remind myself the journey is not just about the food, but the amazing people and sights we meet every day."
Whether it's spending an afternoon meal prepping, packing extra coolers, researching grocery stores, confirming hotel amenities, cleaning a shared grill before cooking, or keeping reliable backup foods close at hand, each traveler has found ways to replace anxiety with confidence.
Making Travel Safer for Everyone
While preparation helps, it's not the only proactive step families can take. Broader changes can make travel safer and less stressful which is why Allergy Advocates New York and our allies continue to advocate for menu labeling legislation that would require restaurants to clearly identify the top nine food allergens on their menus. Better access to accurate allergen information would help people with food allergies make informed dining decisions, reduce uncertainty when eating away from home, and make travel a little easier for families everywhere.
No one pretends traveling with food allergies is effortless. It takes more planning, more packing, and often more flexibility. But as Melissa, Amy, and Sandy discovered, that preparation is worth it.
Sometimes, a few hours of planning before leaving home can mean days spent focusing on what really matters: exploring new places, spending time with loved ones, and creating memories that have nothing to do with what's on one's plate.
About the Author
Kristen Stewart is the Communications Manager for Allergy Advocates New York, where she writes about allergies, anaphylaxis, advocacy, and practical resources for individuals, families, and communities.