Car Travel with Allergic Kids

Written by: Michelle Smith

I was thinking about my Thanksgiving trip and thought I would share some ideas that seemed to really help make this trip successful. Success is defined as the following: no side trips to the hospital or doctor, no one needed Benadryl or (heaven forbid) an epinephrine injection, and I did not feel the need to injure or harm anyone in my family. Yes, that’s definitely my idea of a successful trip.

To start, try to stay with relatives that really “get” the allergy thing. In fact, if you have a relative who has allergies, IBS, Celiac disease, or general intestinal problems stay with them! Offer them money if you must. Their health problems will make them more sympathetic to your needs.

My fabulous relatives have even scouted out stores and pre-shopped for me.  This trip my family found:

Mrs Green’s Natural Market (really a great selection of allergy friendly food)

A new Whole Foods (which I blogged about here)

The Health Nuts

Stop and Shop ( I surprised and impressed with their allergy friendly organic section considering that I wasn’t expecting them to have one at all….)

It just so happened that at every place we stayed I had access to great stores but I don’t and you shouldn’t rely on this. I always pack a ton of food favorites for my munchkins just in case I can’t find anything at the local stores.  I don’t try any new foods, just old favorites and I pack food that I think will be hard to find (for me  that means breakfast foods). Lunch and I dinner I usually manage with just meat, vegetables, and rice. Boring, but it sure beats a trip to the local ER. *note: I do tend to over pack but hey, we’re in a car.

While your looking for great stores, try our directory (shameless plug). Let me know if your favorite store is missing and I’ll add it.

I always travel with the idea that I will be cooking every single meal for them. Sometimes this means cooking for others as well but that’s not a steep price to pay for living off of someone for a few days. I even plan their Thanksgiving meal (nothing special, pasta and veggies if necessary) just in case someone forgets and bastes the bird with butter.

My main tip for a successful trip is reminding the grandparents and other relatives of the following: DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. Really,  it’s just best if no one else but me or my husband is responsible for what they eat. If their grandparents lived with us and fed them all the time, that would be a different story. But they don’t. And we have 3 kids with different allergies and intolerances so I ask relatives to just forget about feeding them. Instead I tell them to relax. Sit down. Have a drink.

Obviously, here is more like not forgetting the Epipens & pouches, Benadryl, puffers, and my entire medicine cabinet. But I know that you know that I already know that you know to take all that. Or something like that. Right?

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful family for embracing the odd and restrictive diet rules I use to feed my children. You have all been really wonderful and I am truly thankful.

Comments