Does anyone have any advice about airplane food for a vegetarian celiac? I'm newly diagnosed and am about to leave for a 3-month trip to Australia. I"m worried about what to eat on the plane. The airline has gluten-free meals, and vegetarian meals, but not gluten-free vegetarian. Eating meat is not an option for me. I'm also worried that with all of the airline security these days, that they won't let me bring any food with me.
What airline are you flying?
See if they have a raw vegetarian meal (raw fruits and veggies). Bring your own energy bars, nuts, instant soup, etc. etc. etc.
See if they have a raw vegetarian meal (raw fruits and veggies). Bring your own energy bars, nuts, instant soup, etc. etc. etc.
You should be able to bring not liquid or gel foods and snacks with you. I had to go to Guam a month ago and had Continentals gluten free meal. the one gluten-free cookie was about all I could eat as they dumped bread on top of everything else. Now I just order the fruit plate!
QUOTE (HelpMe! @ Jan 8 2008, 02:43 PM) 
Does anyone have any advice about airplane food for a vegetarian celiac? I'm newly diagnosed and am about to leave for a 3-month trip to Australia. I"m worried about what to eat on the plane. The airline has gluten-free meals, and vegetarian meals, but not gluten-free vegetarian. Eating meat is not an option for me. I'm also worried that with all of the airline security these days, that they won't let me bring any food with me.
I am guessing but I think you will probably find more things you can eat ordering the gluten free meal. Go to the airlines website and see if they have sample menus or call the airline. I know American Airlines has sample menus.
You will need to also bring your own food on the airplane. I always make sure that I have 50% more food than I think I need in case of delays or my gluten free meal does not make it onto the plane (yes, this has happened to me
)
Liquids are not all allowed through security, including such things as yogurt and pudding type food. You should be able to bring solid food thru security.
I have brought the following:
Vegetables that can be eaten - raw carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, slice tomatoes, etc…..
Fresh Whole Fruit - apple, orange, banana, berries etc…..
Gluten Free Chips - potato, corn or tortilla
Gluten Free Bars - Glutino, Enjoy Life, Lara
Hard Cheese
Sensible Foods – Crunch Dried Fruit (www.sensiblefoods.com)
Nuts
A few slices of Gluten Free Bread
Pre-made Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich on Gluten Free Bread
I have seen in other posts that Bananas and Cheese have been taken away. I have not had this happen to me.
I have a doctor’s note requesting that I be allowed to bring Blue Ice through security to keep my food cold because I am on a medically restricted diet. That said, I have not had to use the note.
I cut off a small piece of a Blue Ice Mat and put it into my soft sided lunch box. I put the lunch box into my carry on luggage. This has gone through security without any problems so far, but be prepared to have the blue ice taken away.
An alternative that I used on a trip was to bring along a Ziploc bag. I was able to have it filled with ice where I bought my water and juice for the trip.
To be sure of the current carry on restrictions you can go to the TSA website below for your outgoing flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.
I would suggest you investigate the any restrictions on food entering Australia. On returning to the US fruit, vegetables and meat are not allowed in (double check the rules). If I have any of these I give it to the flight attendent as trash before the plane lands.
Also, you may want to do some research about Australian airport security for your return trip.
Have a supper trip
You will need to also bring your own food on the airplane. I always make sure that I have 50% more food than I think I need in case of delays or my gluten free meal does not make it onto the plane (yes, this has happened to me
)Liquids are not all allowed through security, including such things as yogurt and pudding type food. You should be able to bring solid food thru security.
I have brought the following:
Vegetables that can be eaten - raw carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, slice tomatoes, etc…..
Fresh Whole Fruit - apple, orange, banana, berries etc…..
Gluten Free Chips - potato, corn or tortilla
Gluten Free Bars - Glutino, Enjoy Life, Lara
Hard Cheese
Sensible Foods – Crunch Dried Fruit (www.sensiblefoods.com)
Nuts
A few slices of Gluten Free Bread
Pre-made Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich on Gluten Free Bread
I have seen in other posts that Bananas and Cheese have been taken away. I have not had this happen to me.
I have a doctor’s note requesting that I be allowed to bring Blue Ice through security to keep my food cold because I am on a medically restricted diet. That said, I have not had to use the note.
I cut off a small piece of a Blue Ice Mat and put it into my soft sided lunch box. I put the lunch box into my carry on luggage. This has gone through security without any problems so far, but be prepared to have the blue ice taken away.
An alternative that I used on a trip was to bring along a Ziploc bag. I was able to have it filled with ice where I bought my water and juice for the trip.
To be sure of the current carry on restrictions you can go to the TSA website below for your outgoing flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.
I would suggest you investigate the any restrictions on food entering Australia. On returning to the US fruit, vegetables and meat are not allowed in (double check the rules). If I have any of these I give it to the flight attendent as trash before the plane lands.
Also, you may want to do some research about Australian airport security for your return trip.
Have a supper trip
I had the same concern flying to Europe over the summer because I am a vegan Celiac. You can take your own food, except liquids. So, just take your own! On the flight I brought apples and fruit bars and I also took with me more fruit bars, noodles, and other simple items to have during my trip in case I couldn't find food to buy on a particular day. Australia does have lots of gluten-free stuff but maybe you should take some too, just in case! Good luck!
I take what food I can fit in my bag (nuts, Lara bars, dried fruit, crackers) and order a vegan meal. The rest of my family orders vegan meals too. Then I eat what seems to be safe and I trade with them what isn't.
Not a perfect solution, but it is my best stab at getting at least a little something I can eat out of the airline. Sometimes this means some veggies and everyone's fruit, but better than nothing.
My experience with gluten-free meals is that sometimes there will be absolutely nothing in them I can eat at all, since I can't have dairy or egg either.
Not a perfect solution, but it is my best stab at getting at least a little something I can eat out of the airline. Sometimes this means some veggies and everyone's fruit, but better than nothing.
My experience with gluten-free meals is that sometimes there will be absolutely nothing in them I can eat at all, since I can't have dairy or egg either.