As someone with celiac disease, traveling can be a real pain. I recently spoke at a medical conference about COVID-19, and despite requesting gluten-free meals, I found myself struggling to find safe food options throughout the conference. To be frank it was an embarrassment. If you listen to Summertime Sadness by the end of the post, I will not judge you.
The hotel hosting the conference provided breakfast buffets with an abundance of food for everyone else, but only a handful of gluten-free muffins for us. When approaching the catering staff they didn’t even know what celiac disease was. How in 2023 do people not know what celiac disease is? Hotel after hotel I am tired of people not knowing what celiac disease is. It was frustrating and made me feel like my dietary needs were not taken seriously. It took me two days to get a hot meal that was steamed chicken and basic salad topped with only cooking oil. I couldn’t help but wonder – are we, not people? Like would you really feed the same meal to people at home whom you care about?
That experience got me thinking about what hotels can do better to accommodate people with celiac disease. Here are some tips that I think could make a real difference:
So let’s make one thing clear. People with Celiac Disease despise all of your gluten-free sandwich options! Contrary to popular belief we are not birds. We also enjoy hot food and normal human portions. Also gluten-free bread is awful- we agree.
All we ask is to please provide some hot gluten-free options. Simple meals like grilled chicken or fish (with actual spices – we have taste buds) with steamed vegetables, gluten-free pasta with marinara sauce, or rice bowls with fresh vegetables, lugumes, and protein can be filling and nutritious. When offering gluten-free options, it’s also important to ensure that the food is prepared and served separately from gluten-containing foods to avoid cross-contamination. I suggested these as they can be left in a warmer while you sort the rest of the food.
Label gluten-free options clearly. When offering gluten-free options, it’s essential to label and wrap them so that guests can easily identify what they can and can’t eat. Use a separate section of the buffet for gluten-free options, or indicate which menu items are gluten-free with a special symbol or label.
If I have one wish at all it’s that I never meet a catering staff that doesn’t know what Celiac disease is. Please! Hotel staff should be knowledgeable about food allergies and intolerances, including celiac disease so that they can help guests navigate the menu and ensure that their meals are prepared safely. This includes understanding the risks of cross-contamination and how to avoid it.
We represent 1% of your total guest population. We’re also more loyal to places who don’t treat us terribly.
If you have celiac disease and are traveling, there are also steps you can take to ensure that you have safe food options if your hotel serves you bird food.
Bring your own snacks or meal replacements. Pack gluten-free snacks, protein bars, or meal replacement shakes to ensure that you always have something safe to eat, even if there are no gluten-free options available.
Research restaurants and hotels ahead of time. Do your research before you travel to find out which restaurants and hotels offer gluten-free options. This can save you a lot of time and stress when you arrive.
Communicate your dietary needs clearly with hotel staff (they might ignore you but don’t be afraid to leave reviews so we can draw some attention to this need) and don’t be afraid to give an impromptu Ted Talk or escalate your concerns to a more senior staff member. Don’t be afraid to speak up about your dietary needs. When booking your hotel room or ordering food, let staff know that you have celiac disease and that you require gluten-free options. Be specific about what you can and can’t eat, and ask questions if you’re not sure.
Traveling with celiac disease can be a challenge, but with a little planning and preparation, it’s possible to stay safe and healthy while on the road. By offering gluten-free options and training staff on food allergies and intolerances, hotels can make a real difference in the lives of those with celiac disease. Let’s hope that more hotels and restaurants take notice and start to make these changes soon.
Pretty Please!
