For anyone with a special diet (coeliac, allergies, intolerances, vegan, vegetarian), travelling can be a source of stress: reading labels, asking at every restaurant, worrying about cross-contamination. Here the motorhome has a huge advantage: you bring your kitchen with you, so you control what you eat. Here's how to organise it so you can travel with peace of mind. (This doesn't replace advice from your doctor or nutritionist.)
The big advantage: cooking it yourself
The biggest problem with special diets away from home is depending on restaurants. In a camper, you cook with the ingredients you choose, controlling allergens and cross-contamination just as you would at home. For many coeliacs or people with allergies, travelling by motorhome gives back exactly the peace of mind that eating out usually takes away (see camper cooking).
Set up your kitchen for your diet
- Avoid cross-contamination (key for coeliacs): your own utensils, chopping board and, if possible, toaster; watch out for crumbs and shared surfaces.
- A basic pantry of your suitable products always on board, in case you can't find anywhere to buy them.
- Label and separate suitable food if you're travelling with others on different diets.
- Batch cook your suitable meals (see batch cooking).
Shopping on the road
- Large supermarkets usually have "gluten-free", vegan and similar sections. Plan to restock in cities.
- Apps and maps of suitable shops and restaurants (gluten-free, vegan) by area.
- Fresh market produce: fruit, vegetables and natural produce, suitable by default and top quality.
- Abroad: learn to read labels and the key terms in the local language; carry cards explaining your allergy.
The fridge, your ally
Carrying fresh produce and your prepared meals depends on a reliable fridge (backed by a good battery), especially if suitable alternatives are scarce in the area (see storing food and the calculator).
In summary
Travelling with a special diet is much easier in a camper because you cook your own food and control what you eat, avoiding cross-contamination. The step to take today: set up your kitchen with your own utensils to avoid contamination, keep a basic pantry of your suitable products, and find large supermarkets to restock; you'll eat safely and stress-free wherever you are. Combine it with the camper cooking guide.