Amy is back this week to give some pointers for staying safe on your next gluten-free trip.  Catch me at the Winchester Farmer’s Market this weekend!

— Denise

Summer is vacation time and that usually means travel.  Traveling on a gluten-free diet has challenges, just like traveling with children has challenges: if you know what to expect, everything goes easier!  For eating gluten-free, that means three things: know what to bring with you, know what to expect when you get to your destination and always bring your sense of humor.

Here are the contents of my snack bag. What’s in yours?

What To Bring

Whether you are traveling by car, train or plane, you should bring your own food with you.  Don’t forget to make sure your snacks are balanced. Think good sources of protein and fiber to keep you full and healthy, like granola, nuts & fruit.  Or try our Lentil Quinoa Salad!

The most restrictive type of travel these days for food is airplane travel – whatever you bring needs to pass through security.  So leave the awesome smoothies, juices and ice packs at home.  But do bring nut bars, Coco Mama Quinoa & your favorite crackers.  Need a snack while at the airport?  If you go thru Logan, you are in luck! The Gogo Snack stand in Terminal C carries an awesome selection of gluten-free snacks, from granola to cookies. And Starbucks has some gluten-free snacks hidden amongst their pastries: KIND bars, fresh fruit and pressed juices.  Have some extra time? Legal Seafoods has a great gluten-free menu at all of their locations.

When You Arrive

Before you go, do some research about your destination on the internet. There are great websites and apps for the gluten-free and they can let you in on the best places to eat and shop while away. My favorites include FindMeGlutenFree.com (reviews of businesses & restaurants), Yelp.com (type “gluten free” to find restaurants in your destination) and GlutenFreeRegistry.com (an online, comprehensive list of gluten-free businesses). Don’t be dismayed if your favorite brands aren’t available; with a little persistence, you’ll find just what you need.  And you might even discover a new favorite!

Going off the beaten path? While most grocery stores now carry an assortment of gluten-free products, being prepared is never a bad thing. Pack an extra bag and bring your favorite dried or instant foods with you.

Your Sense of Humor

Don’t assume that everything will go perfectly – your gluten-free airplane meal might get eaten by someone else, your hotel might assume that barley is safe or someone might try to serve your child a fresh-baked cookie. And when things don’t go as planned, don’t take it personally. Think of yourself as a gluten-free ambassador: this is your chance to teach people about life in a gluten-free world. The more people who know about living gluten-free, the safer you will be.

Happy travels!

This gluten-free mix will keep you happily crunching, no matter where you go!

Gluten-free Cranberry-Chocolate-Almond Crunch
This “recipe” is just a starting point: add your favorites! Make sure all ingredients are gluten-free.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup almonds, whole or chopped
• 1/2 cup pepitas (dried pumpkin seeds), plain or salted
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate mini-chips or chunks

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Stir to combine and then pack in small travel container.  Enjoy!