How To Effectively Manage Food Allergies While Travelling to Thailand

Thailand is a magical country full of exciting and novel foods, attractions, and environments that will keep anyone entertained for a holiday. However, the diversity of the country’s flora, fauna, and food can create problems for those with severe or even mild allergies. Rather than ruin your trip and return home early, for this reason, it is best to play it safe when you arrive in the country.

This can be easier said than done, however. It can be difficult to navigate the nuances of Thai culture while also keeping an eye on your health. Having some guidance as to how best to avoid major allergens, especially peanuts and the like, while abroad will allow you to be prepared and prevent any flare-ups from interfering with your holiday.

To ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time abroad, let’s look at how to travel with allergies in Thailand.

Take Out Travel Insurance

Whether you have allergies or not, it is always important to ensure that you have sufficient travel insurance coverage before heading abroad. Since you never know what kind of medical emergency you might suffer while on holiday, it is best to be prepared for the financial consequences of using foreign emergency and medical services.

The last thing you want is to add insult to injury by having your health compromised, and your trip ruined, from a severe allergic reaction and then having to foot the bill for your own treatment. Be cautious and find travel insurance as soon as you have booked your flights, and speak with your insurance company about any allergies that could potentially impact your trip.

Watch Out For Peanuts

Although Thai cuisine does often feature peanuts, this is by no means always the case. You can easily find interesting and delicious meals in Thailand that are completely peanut-free and are still authentic to the local recipe. Peanut sauce, in particular, is only found on a few select dishes, and this will usually be obvious. Crushed peanuts, however, can be a little more insidious. These are often sprinkled on a number of different dishes.

Fortunately, you are likely to find that Thai restaurants are very accommodating when it comes to watching out for your peanut allergy. Simply asking the restaurant to omit the peanuts and to avoid making your dish in a cross-contaminated environment should allow you to eat peanut-free throughout your stay. Knowing some of the local language or enough to communicate your allergy is not only a good idea to show your respect for Thai culture, but will also ensure that your waiter understands you correctly.

Naturally, if you have an extremely severe peanut allergy, you might want to avoid places that serve peanut dishes entirely, as they do exist.

Watch Out For Shellfish

Shrimp and other shellfish are a staple in many Thai dishes. Unfortunately for many tourists, shellfish is one of the most common allergens out there. However, as with peanuts, Thai restaurants are happy to make modifications to their dishes in order to accommodate your condition. Simply ensure that you know how to ask in the local language to be on the safe side.

Avoid Street Food

While street food can be an exciting experience for travellers, it is best to go without this treat if you have severe allergies. Street vendors will be less able to omit ingredients; thus, you leave more to chance when you risk eating outside of a restaurant.

Use Your Common Sense

Naturally, Thailand can be a difficult place to visit if you have some of these common allergies. However, a bit of common sense can go a long way towards keeping you safe. Bring your allergy medication and epinephrine with you wherever you go, or any other tools you have to stay healthy in the event of an emergency. Doing so will allow you to enjoy your trip without worrying too much.