Travelling with Dietary restrictions: How to Have a Fun (and Filling!) Time Abroad

By Bess Myers ’10, Center for Global Engagement Staff

The thought of studying abroad is an exhilarating one, but for millions of Americans it is also an anxiety-inducing prospect because of food allergies, food sensitivities, or cultural, religious, and personal restrictions on food. Whether you have Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, have an allergy to shellfish or nuts, or maintain a kosher diet, there are options. Here are some nifty tips and tricks for keeping yourself healthy and nourished while studying abroad. Bon voyage, and bon appétit!

Before You Leave: An Ounce of Prevention

Educate Yourself: Sometimes we take it for granted that our parents, relatives, friends, and even our schools cater to our dietary needs, so our concerns are not always in the forefront of our minds. First, make a list of all the foods you cannot eat. Write down the primary foods you must avoid (milk, for example), and then the secondary foods that are derived from the primary food (casein, lactose, and so on). It may be a long list depending upon your dietary needs, but it’s an important step toward exploring the possible foods you can eat. You may even learn something new about your diet!

Research: Make sure you investigate the country where you’ll be staying. The Internet is a wonderful place for the gastrointestinally challenged, and there are often support group websites for people with your nutritional needs in a given country or region. It’s going to be easier to find kosher food in Israel than it will be to find soy-free foods, for example, but don’t let an uphill climb discourage you: if you want to stay healthy while abroad, you have to be willing to do some dietary digging. These sites often have lists of restaurants, markets, and region-specific brands that fit your needs.

Translate: No matter how proficient you are in a given language (even English!), you MUST look up how to say diet-specific words in the language(s) your host country speaks. How do you say “spelt” in Mandarin? Is there a French word for “egg albumin”? How do you explain “cyclodextrin” to a Spaniard? Keep a card with you at all times with translations of some basic words and phrases that you can use at restaurants and markets to explain what you can and cannot eat. If you’re planning on travelling to different countries during your stay, prepare a few cards just in case.

Inform: Let your program provider and/or host school know about your dietary restrictions. They may have resources for you that you cannot obtain on your own, and they can’t help you unless you ask them to. Do not assume that everyone knows how to deal with a macrobiotic diet, however: although in an ideal world everyone would know everything about everyone’s dietary restrictions, it is your responsibility to explain, educate, and ask for what you need.

In Transit

Be a human supermarket: Keep safe foods with you at all times. I speak from experience as a young vegetarian girl with Celiac disease (but not yet a soy allergy, that came later) who ventured to Israel with only a box of gluten-free cereal bars to keep me company. In the airport I got so hungry that I noshed on M&M’s while my companions found more nutritious fare for their gluten-ingesting selves. Travelling is stressful enough; add to that an empty stomach and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.  There may not always be an airport kiosk that screams “vegan delights!” so keep nutrient-rich and tummy-filling handy snacks with you. Just remember to check with the customs office of the country to which you’re travelling to ensure you’re not detained for any food-related reason.

Medication: This goes without saying, but if you have medication that you keep with you to prevent or aid in the event of an allergic reaction, like epinephrine or Benadryl, carry it on your person when travelling. If you have a truly serious food allergy, think about getting a medical ID bracelet so that if something happens when you’re out alone foreign medical services will be able to treat you.

During Your Stay

Make Friends Fast: If you’re living with others in a dorm, apartment, or homestay, let them know about your restrictions as soon as you move in politely, but firmly. Clarify what is cross-contamination and explain why it is a serious issue for you (“Please don’t cook your pepperoni pizza on my kosher Parve pan”). Telling people right away about your needs may seem forward to you, but it’s a necessary step for keeping you safe, happy, and well-fed during your stay. If you set a precedent as soon as you arrive, then people will be more likely to adhere to those requests rather than if you mention them a week or two into your stay.

Be Persistent: If you’re at a local café and have a question about how the food or drinks are prepared, don’t be shy about asking someone and waiting (patiently!) for an answer. That way, the next time you go to the café you already have some safe foods at your disposal. It’s OK to accept “I don’t know” as an answer, as long as you’re willing a) not to eat at said café, or b) to eat in ignorance.

Know Your Territory: In some cultures, asking about the ingredients in food or refusing to eat certain offerings is considered offensive and rude. Although you want to protect yourself, you also don’t want to upset people, especially those with whom you’re living. Be aware of the cultural climate you’re entering and ask around about how to deal with certain dicey situations. If you’re going to a dinner party, offer to make something you know is safe for you, or explain your situation in the most polite terms possible in order to avoid insulting anyone’s cooking.

Put Yourself First: No matter what, it is your personal responsibility to maintain your health while studying in a foreign country. There are always options, but it is your responsibility to research them, educate yourself, and practice safe eating habits while abroad. Studying abroad with dietary restrictions is not impossible; it simply leads to speed bumps that may actually enrich your time by educating you about food practices and daily life in a foreign country

Useful Links:

http://www.abroadco.com/Blogs/Ann/archive/2008/05/16/Study-Abroad-with-Food-Allergies-or-other-Dietary-Issues.aspx : A primer for students with dietary restrictions from someone who knows

http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/sab/before/travelResources/index.html : Page with a ton of resources about studying abroad from various perspectives, including vegetarians/vegans

http://www.smith.edu/studyabroad/diversity_food.php : Another page with links to travel guides for vegetarians, people with diabetes, those with Crohn’s disease, and more

http://www.celiactravel.com/ : Great website concerning all aspects of travelling with Celiac disease, including free dietary cards