If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
Going on holiday is supposed to be all about switching off, relaxing and enjoying yourself but when you have coeliac disease, there can be a little more preparation involved!
This September, I’m heading to Tenerife for our first family holiday with our 10 month old baby, and alongside the usual endless packing lists of sun cream, bikinis, sandals, sunglasses…and now trying to work out how on earth you pack everything you need for a baby, my main focus has been thinking about how I can make travelling with coeliac disease as stress-free as possible.
One of the biggest things for me is researching before I travel. I’ve been looking at our hotel, nearby restaurants and places we might visit to see what gluten-free options are available.
I use Apps where I can check reviews from other people with coeliac disease and figure out how safe the establishment is for someone with a strict gluten free diet. A restaurant saying it has “gluten-free options” is great, but as anyone with coeliac disease knows, there’s a little more to consider particularly when it comes to cross-contamination.
Once I’ve picked a selection of restaurants I’d like to visit, I contact them in advance to let them know I’ll be coming and ask a few important questions. I’ll check whether they have a gluten-free menu and, most importantly, whether their gluten-free options are suitable for someone with coeliac disease. From there, I’ll ask about how the food is prepared, what measures they have in place to prevent cross-contamination, and whether separate preparation areas are used. I also always ask about fryers whether they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer and if any gluten-containing foods are cooked in it. Having these questions answered in writing beforehand gives me so much more reassurance and allows me to feel more confident about eating there once I’m on holiday.
Even when I’ve done plenty of research, I always feel better knowing I have a few safe options with me. I’ll be taking some gluten-free essentials for travelling and those moments when there might not be a suitable option readily available. Having products I know and trust with me gives me that extra bit of reassurance especially when travelling through the airport or heading out for the day.
Glutafin products have become part of my gluten-free routine at home, so having familiar staples available before travelling makes preparing that little bit easier. I always take my own
bread, cereal, crackers and biscuits (because who doesn’t love a cuppa and biscuit on your balcony) just on the occasion I am struggling to find something suitable.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Something I’ve learned since being diagnosed with coeliac disease is that you should never feel awkward about asking questions. I ask them all the time!
Even with the research and planning if I go somewhere and I am unsure I just ask. I will ask on check in how gluten free will work at meal times, I will ask my server if they have been made aware of my dietary requirements and at restaurant’s I will always ask if there gluten free fryer is in operation today.
I’d much rather ask an extra question and feel confident about my meal than spend my holiday worrying afterwards!
Having coeliac disease means I might need to do a little extra planning, but I don’t want it to stop me enjoying our first family holiday.
For me, preparation is what gives me the confidence to switch off once we arrive. I know I’ve researched, packed some safe options and prepared myself to ask the right questions.
Now I just need to finish packing everything else – which, with a baby, might actually be the bigger challenge!
If you’re travelling with coeliac disease this year, my biggest tip is to plan ahead, pack a few trusted favourites and never be afraid to advocate for yourself. Then it’s time to enjoy your holiday!
Laura is a content creator, first-time mum and coeliac, she shares content that is honest and relatable about navigating her everyday gluten-free life.
Since her coeliac diagnosis, she’s become passionate about raising awareness, sharing her experiences and helping others discover products and services, like Glutafin, that make living gluten-free that little bit easier.
Instagram: @lauraporch
TikTok: @lauraporch6
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
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