by Kim Koeller
and Robert La France
Over the past few years,
we have heard from many people in the celiac community that
airline travel is a struggle. Sometimes, your gluten-free
meal may have been ruined by that muffin included on the top
of your food. Then, of course, having your special meal on
the plane when you are actually in the air is another story.
Other times gluten-free meals are available, and even taste
good for airplane food.
If you have multiple food
allergies or intolerances, it is even more difficult to manage
because the airline industry categorizes special meals individually
and does not have the system capabilities currently to accommodate
such personalized requests. With the recent cost cutting measures
airlines have implemented to keep competitive, it is becoming
more uncommon for anyone regardless of dietary needs to receive
an airline meal while traveling domestically. Starvation is
not your only option — eating gluten-free while traveling
by air is possible and very doable!
An easy approach to handling
gluten-free airline travel is two fold. First you need to
determine if gluten-free meals are available on the airline
based upon flight duration. If gluten-free meals are available,
you need to request a gluten-free meal from the airline or
your travel agent.
Your second step is bringing
your own gluten-free snacks. While the TSA has implemented
strict standards on allowable products packed in carry-on
luggage (visit: http://www.tsa.gov/311/311-carry-ons.shtm
), you have a lot more options than you think. Luckily, there
are a number of great on-the-go options listed below that
are allowable, nutritious, safe and portable...you don’t
have to worry about packing and lugging around a bag full
of food.
The best approach to gaining
that often elusive comfort level when travel by air obviously
is a combination of the two steps. Order your gluten-free
meal, and be prepared with your on-the-go snack or light meal
in the event you don’t like your gluten-free meal or
the airline doesn’t follow through on your request.
Airline Tips
Many global airlines are
aware of and cater to those who need gluten-free meals when
traveling by air. The selection and quality of these meals
varies significantly from airline to airline. The standard
code used by the airline industry for a gluten-free meal is
GFML (Gluten Free Meal), which indicates no wheat, rye, barley
or their derivatives will be included with the meal.
 These
airline tips represent some guidelines to help you order and
obtain gluten-free meals while traveling by air. The suggestions
may assist you in choosing your airline carrier based upon
your special dietary requirements.
- If the carrier you are flying offers
gluten-free meals, it is necessary to make airline personnel
aware of your needs in advance
- Airlines that offer gluten-free meals
typically need advance notification anywhere between 24
to 96 hours to ensure that your special meal is ready at
the time of your departure
- It is advised to confirm your meal request
directly with the airline or with your travel agent prior
to your departure
For a list of 50-plus international
airline carriers by name, country of origin, whether a gluten-free
meal (GFML) is offered to travelers and each airline's notification
policy, visit this link: http://www.glutenfreepassport.com/traveling/airlines.html
. Keep in mind that availability of airline meals and notification
policies change frequently. You should contact your specific
airline for the most up-to-date information.
Snack and Light
Meal Tips
Be sure to pack some snacks
as a precautionary measure, just in case your flight is delayed,
plans change or an error is made with your meal. Long haul
flight can be particularly long if you do not have anything
to eat during your travels! Below are some suggestions for
snacks and light meals. They represent a variety of guidelines
to help you prepare for air travel. There are three basic
categories of snacks and light meals that you may want to
consider bringing with you for your flight:
- No preparation
- Hot water preparation
- Cooler required
Be sure to read product
labels and review country-specific labeling regulations wherever
you travel.
No Preparation
Suggestions
Here are some snack and
light meal suggestions that can be easily carried with you
and require no preparation.
- Fresh Fruits
- Dried Fruits
- Fresh Vegetables
- Gluten-Free Cereals
- Gluten-Free Biscuits, Breads, Crackers
& Rice Cakes
- Gluten-Free Cakes, Cookies and Sweet
Biscuits
- Gluten-Free Canned/Packaged Meats &
Fish
- Gluten-Free Nuts and Trail Mixes
- Gluten-Free Candy and Confectionery
- Gluten-Free Energy Bars
- Gluten-Free Chips and Crisps
Hot Water Preparation
Suggestions
These snack and light meal
suggestions require hot water preparation. Hot water is available
on most commercial airplanes and in airport shops.
- Hot Cereals
- Gluten-Free Rice Noodle Dishes
- Instant Soups and Meals
Cooler Required
Suggestions
The following snacks and
light meal suggestions require low temperature control and
may be refrigerated in a small portable cooler.
- Fresh Fruits
- Fresh Vegetables and Salads
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Gluten-Free Cheese
- Gluten-Free Deli/Packaged Meats
If you are bringing your
own packaged salad dressing, ensure that it falls within the
4 ounce requirement for liquid carry-on and remember to have
it handy for inspection in a re-sealable sandwich-size baggy.
While traveling in the US, due to TSA standards, you’ll
need to fill up your re-sealable baggy or container with ice
AFTER you go through security either at a food stand
or on the plane. It is recommended that you do not bring cooling
packs, as they are typically filled with chemical liquids
or gels, and will be confiscated at security check points
in the US.
Quick Service Restaurant
Spotlight
Cibo Express Gourmet
Markets
Eating on-the-go at airports
and on airplanes these days does not mean you have to settle
for fast-food with low nutritional value and few gluten-free
options to choose from. As their website states, "When
you walk inside Cibo Express your first reaction will
be, ‘Am I actually in an airport?’" The award
winning Cibo Express Gourmet Markets can be found at
major airports around the country including New York City,
Philadelphia, Boston, Tucson and others.
At Cibo, one can
expect to find an assortment of naturally gluten-free foods
to curb your hunger, including certified kosher foods. You
can order a simple meal of hard-boiled eggs, cheese and freshly
cut raw vegetables. Or, you can usually pick-up a freshly
made salad with grilled gluten-free chicken and fresh cut
fruit from the refrigerator section. This quick service carry-out
establishment is also filled with gourmet goodies including
selections of deli meats like prosciutto or sopressata, pâtés,
goat cheese, smoked salmon, and even caviar! Remember, if
you purchase your food before going through the TSA security
line; ensure all liquids such as salad dressings and even
spreads are consumed prior to inspection. Enjoy all of your
other treats onboard your plane, as well as in the other areas
of the terminal beyond security.
While many gluten-free options
are available at Cibo Express Gourmet Markets, there
are also gluten containing items offered. Be sure to read
all the product labels of items before you make your purchase.
For location availability,
it is recommended you view the services information pages
of your local airport for the most up-to-date status. Below
are a few major airport locations where you can enjoy the
foods from Cibo Express Gourmet Markets.
Boston
Logan
Philadelphia
International Airport
New
York Kennedy Terminal 6
New
York La Guardia
Tucson
International Airport
Keep in mind that store
locations may only be available in certain airport terminals.
http://ciboexpress.com/
Kim Koeller and Robert La France,
President and Executive Vice President of GlutenFree Passport™,
are the authors of the Let’s Eat Out! Your Passport
to Living Gluten and Allergy Free book series, 2006
Benjamin Franklin Award finalist for Best Health, Wellness
and Nutrition Book and Best First Book Non-fiction. For more
information and free educational materials, please visit http://www.glutenfreepassport.com.
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