Having a food allergy can mean that the prospect of travelling to destinations where you don’t speak the language and may accidentally expose yourself to a sneaky peanut or wheat based dish may fill you with worry and prevent you from trying new cuisines (and what a shame that would be, with so much good food to discover on your travels).
Understanding of allergies, intolerances and food issues is on the rise both in the UK and in other parts of the world, however. You will no longer be regarded as simply a “fussy eater” if you mention you can’t eat a certain type of food, nor (usually) be pressed to “just try it”.
When travelling, it’s useful to have a store of phrases in order to communicate your food needs clearly.
In French:
“I have an allergy to…” “Je’ai une allergie à … ”
Peanuts / cacahuètes
Fish / poisson
Milk / lait
Nuts / noix
Seeds / graines
Egg / œuf
Soya / soja
Alcohol / alcool
Fruit and Veg / Fruits et légumes
Wheat / blé
In Spanish:
“I have an allergy to…”
” Tengo una alergia a … ”
Peanuts / cacahuates
Fish / pescado
Milk / leche
Nuts / nueces
Seeds / semillas
Egg / huevo
Soya / soja
Alcohol / alcohol
Fruit and Veg / Frutas y verduras
Wheat / trigo
In Croatian:
“I have an allergy to…”
“Imam alergiju na…”
Peanuts / kikiriki
Fish / riba
Milk / mlijeko
Nuts / lud
Seeds / sjemenke
Egg / jaje
Soya / soja
Alcohol / alkohol
Fruit and Veg / Voće i povrće
Wheat / pšenica
In Greek:
“I have an allergy to…”
“Écho allergía sto… ”
Peanuts / arápika fistíkia
Fish / psári
Milk / gála
Nuts / xiroí karpoíSeeds / SpóroiEgg / avgóSoya / sógia
Alcohol / alkoól
Fruit and Veg / Froúta kai lachaniká
Wheat / sitári
In Italian:
“I have an allergy to…”
“Ho un’allergia a… ”
Peanuts / arachidi
Fish / pesce
Milk / latte
Nuts /noccioline
Seeds / seeds
Egg / uovo
Soya / soia
Alcohol / alcol
Fruit and Veg / Frutta e verdura
Wheat / grano
Unless you’re a skilled and confident linguist, it’s best to keep things simple and just clearly state that you have an allergy to something if you want to avoid it, rather than getting into details of “Well I think I may have some kind of intolerance to wheat?” In fact, just keep a card with the details written down if you’re worried about pronunciation. Even if you’re packing light, those with an allergy should always keep anti-histamines on hand and if you have an adrenaline pen, make sure that you don’t leave it at home – and don’t check it in either (read on for more check-in tips)! A note from your doctor will ensure that you are allowed to take these medicines on the flight with you.
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