Holiday! Relax, take it easy .... Even with a food allergy? Are hotel buffets allergy-friendly? How can I explain to the waiter that even small amounts of nuts or peanuts are dangerous for me? Sure, you can find the Turkish for "celery" ("kereviz") in the dictionary. But is shaking your head and pointing to the word "kereviz" enough to ensure that it won’t turn up in your meal? You can’t count on it. Sentences like "Benim kereviz alerjim var" (Turkish for "I am allergic to celery") or "Az miktardada olsa içinde kereviz yokmu?" ("Are there definitely no traces of celery?") are much more helpful. In countries like Greece, which use not only a different language but a whole difference alphabet, it is especially important to learn how the various allergens are spelled and pronounced.
It's always tempting to try out traditional local dishes. It's a good idea to find out which ingredients are typically included, so that you know in advance which dishes to avoid.
You certainly don't have to travel with a suitcase full of food from home, but in order to make your holiday truly relaxing, it makes sense to think about a few things and be prepared.

Before your holiday

You can take care of many things while still at home: Ask whether your hotel can supply you with allergen-free meals. Find out whether you'll need your medications, such as antihistamines or asthma spray, while on vacation (you might need them, for instance, because of the local climate or the pollen count in that country.) Make sure you have enough medication to last the whole trip. Is your emergency medication kit complete? Have the medications passed their expiration date? Is there enough to last the whole trip?
Your medications belong in your carry-on luggage. That way, you're prepared for an emergency during the trip, or if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive on time.

While on holiday

You won't always understand the list of ingredients on food packaging while on holiday in a foreign country. Luckily, European Union member states have a common, mandatory labeling system that alerts consumers to allergens in food. Nuts, fish, eggs and other potent allergens must be listed on the label when included as ingredients in packaged foods. But be careful: Switzerland, Norway, and many eastern European countries do not belong to the EU. However, Switzerland has a similar law for food labelling. 
And in restaurants or hotels? Especially if you aren't proficient in the local language, you should write down important sentences like "I am allergic to X" or "I can’t eat even small quantities of Y," and keep this piece of paper with you at all times. These translations, and the most common allergens in different languages, are included in the shopping guide "Shopping with food allergies – more security in shopping, in restaurants, and abroad." In addition, the authors have put together a menu with traditional dishes from different holiday destinations, and the allergens found in each.

Download an excerpt of the table from the book (with the kind permission of MVS Medizinverlage Stuttgart).

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