Okay, I am not going to the Kremlin, but I am on my way to Charleston, South Carolina for a meeting. It is a short trip, but my planning is the same as if I were going to Africa.
Traveling is one of the biggest challenges for people on gluten-free diets. It is nearly impossible to find gluten-free food at the airport or in hotels. Over the last 10 years of being gluten-free, I have traveled extensively all over the world. And, I have finally perfected a system that works for me.
Breakfast is always the hardest meal to cope with and one of the biggest challenges in hotels. So, I carry my own breakfast with me. For this trip, I am packing six scoops of my wonderful protein powder (gluten, soy, and lactose free) into a plastic snack bag – enough for three days worth of breakfast. I also pack 6 scoops of ground flax seeds, which I will add to the protein shake. In the mornings I will just mix up my healthy, fiber and vitamin packed protein shake and drink it while I am getting dressed. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3. I am also packing some gluten-free bread in case there is a group breakfast. All I have to do is add a couple of eggs and no one knows the difference.
Since it is a short trip, I also bring a couple of apples, Jocalat bars (by Larabars) and some rice crackers to munch on if I get hungry between meals. Sometimes, conferences run late, and if I am not prepared, I end up eating a Snickers candy bar, which I would prefer not to do. My gluten-free snacks are also handy if I get stuck at the airport because of delayed flights.
It took me a while to learn to be proactive and talk to the organizers about my diet. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Since most conferences have buffets, I just get the meat and vegetables. If I crave carbs, I use my gluten-free bread to fill in the starch gap. When there is a sit-down dinner, I will be very proactive in asking for a gluten free meal. However, if the meal sucks, I always have my protein shake in the hotel room to fill the gap.
This is what I am packing for my short trip to South Carolina. What are your gluten-free travel tips? I would love to hear your comments.
