Holiday travel is exciting, twinkling lights, packed suitcases, and the promise of good memories. But for allergy families (especially those juggling vegan choices too), December also brings one extra travel companion: worry. Is airport food safe? Will the hotel understand cross-contact? Will there be anything at the family table you can actually eat?

At GrubAllergy, we believe holiday trips shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. With a little planning, you can move through airports, hotels, and family gatherings feeling confident, calm, and actually able to enjoy the journey.

 

Airport Survival: Vegan & Allergy-Safe

Airports are getting better, many now offer plant-based bowls, sushi, fresh fruit cups, and even gluten-free sides. But the biggest challenge is hidden ingredients. Vegan options can still contain soy, wheat, coconut, or sesame, and packaged snacks often have “may contain” warnings.

That’s why your safest winter travel companion is your own snack kit. Think roasted chickpeas, seed-based bars, allergen-free cookies, plain crackers, or even a small portion of homemade wraps. These not only guarantee safety but keep you fueled through delays and long layovers.

Grub Tip:

Always pack double the snacks you think you’ll need. Holidays = delays. Snacks = sanity.

 

Hotels: What’s Safe & What to Ask For

Hotels vary widely. Some offer plant milks, fruit platters, oatmeal stations, and roasted veggies. Others rely heavily on dairy-rich pastries and omelet counters. A quick conversation with the kitchen staff can change everything many are happy to prepare a simple dish separately once they understand your allergens.

For full control, travel-sized essentials like instant allergen-free noodles, oatmeal packets, and a small kettle can make breakfast or dinner worry-free. It’s your built-in safety blanket after a long travel day.

Grub Tip:

Before booking, email the hotel asking: “Do you provide allergy-safe or vegan options?” Many reply with detailed menus.

 

Family Meals: Avoiding Holiday Table Stress

Family gatherings are full of love… and cross-contact. Nut-filled desserts, buttery sides, and unknown ingredients can make the dinner table overwhelming. Bringing one or two safe dishes is not just practical,  it’s empowering. You know exactly what’s in your food, and you contribute something festive.

Great travel-friendly options include lentil cutlets, vegan stir-fries, roasted veggies, and of course, allergen-free cookies from GrubAllergy’s recipe library.

Grub Tip:

Place your safe dish on the table first before other serving spoons start moving around. It reduces the risk of cross-contact.

 

 

Travel-Friendly GrubAllergy Recipes to Pack

These recipes from our site are perfect for holiday travel days:

 Vegan vegetable cutlets

Easy to pack, filling, and allergen-safe.

Vegan chocolate chip cookies

Loved by kids and adults, perfect for flights.

 Cherry pie biscuits

Festive and delicious, ideal for hotel snacking.

 

 

Quick Essentials Checklist

• Safe snacks (double portion!)

• Clear ingredient cards for family meals

• Hotel email confirmation

• Backup instant meal

• Emergency meds

• A small trash bag for packing food safely