Going on holiday is something that so many people wait all year for. When the summer or days off from work finally manifest, the whole family is packed and ready to be on their way. When you want to eat gluten free on holiday in Europe, what do you need to watch out for to ensure your children’s safety?

Understanding The Labels

Europe is a diverse continent, and so many different languages are spoken within its bounds. If you are picking up some packaged foods, you need to be 100 percent certain that you are reading the labels correctly. In order to do so, you might need to enrich your knowledge of Spanish, Italian, German or whatever other language is spoken in the country to which you are traveling. Research some foods before you go to the country so that you know which ones are safe for your children to eat.

The Hotel Breakfast

Whether you are staying at a grand hotel or spending your nights away in more moderate accommodations, the establishment might offer a complimentary breakfast. Calling ahead to find out what foods are offered is in your best interest. Otherwise, you may find that your children are unable to eat the foods presented to them. As a result, you would have to bring other foods for breakfast. Some of the items in the buffet or sit-down breakfast will likely be gluten-free. It’s all about knowing what is included and making smart decisions.

Eating at Restaurants

Unless you have rented a house or other type of accommodation with a kitchen, you are probably going to be dining at a lot of restaurants in Europe. Before your trip, do some research on the particular area you are visiting to find out if gluten-free restaurants are available. Even if the restaurants are not dedicated to gluten-free foods, they should have an array of options available for your children. Be sure that these foods are child-friendly as well. Some restaurants may cater only to adults who are gluten-free, and your children may not enjoy these types of meals.

Snacks Offered in at Various Attractions

Perhaps you are going to explore historical and religious sites, or maybe you want to spend the afternoon in some beautiful parks or walking around a particular part of the country. No matter where you are going, you may very well see vendors who are selling treats or offering free samples. Unless you really know the specific origin of the food, it would be better to afford these types of treats. The person selling them may have had little to no role in actually baking or cooking them. Furthermore, the language barrier could cause an inaccurate answer as well

Talking to Your Children

Little ones will probably not be out of your sight much, so you can monitor what they are eating. You should talk with your children, however, about the foods they can eat. Explain that people may speak a different language in this country to which you are travelling and that they need to check with you whenever they are going to eat something.

Traveling with children who have strict dietary rules to follow can definitely be challenging, but you can accomplish it and have fun when you are willing to follow some of these tips.