In 4 days time I’ll be flying to Turkey for two weeks – excited is an understatement!

It’s been three years since I last went to Turkey (we’re staying at the same hotel), and I had only been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease for 7 months. I can’t say it was the best food experience I’ve ever had, especially since it was my first trip abroad since being diagnosed.

Luckily for me I had a gluten free restaurant card which helpfully translated everything into my destinations native language. These translation cards are truly great as they explain absolutely everything, so the waiter/waitress can easily understand what I can and can’t eat. I also laminated the card so the waiter could take it to the kitchen and show the chef so they were fully aware of my needs.

Unfortunately I was still glutened on my holiday three years ago, but I think it was mainly due to only being 7 months into my diagnosis. The stomach can take up to 12 months to fully heal once you go gluten free, so hopefully this time around I will have no problems!

One of my fears of eating gluten free abroad is the terrible options for airplane food. As the flight to Turkey is only 4 hours, we’ve decided not to have a meal on out flight, and therefore I will be stocking up on some yummy GF snacks to take with me. I’m so so happy that you’re now allowed to take solid food in your hand luggage, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to give a couple of example snacks you can take on your travels this summer!

Chocolate Caramel Energy Balls

These energy balls are the perfect airplane snack. They’re small and easily transportable, high in energy and absolutely delicious! I’ll be taking a small tupperware box of these yummy chocolate & caramel energy balls in my hand luggage, so I can snack on them throughout the journey. These energy balls require only 4 ingredients, so they’re extremely easy to make – plus if you make a big batch you can freeze half of them to enjoy when you’re back from your travels!

The combination of medjool dates and maca powder creates the most delicious caramel flavour. When paired with chocolate, it defintely doesn’t taste healthy!

INGREDIENTS

150g medjool dates*
100g pecans
2 tsp maca powder
2 tbsp cocoa powder

RECIPE

1. Place the pecans in a food processor, and process until they have broken down but still have some chunks.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients and blend until a ball forms.
3. Roll the mixture into 12 balls.
4. Place in the fridge to set.

Extras snacks to take:

TREK/Nakd bars
These are my favourite snack bars to have in my handbag for emergencies – Trek bars are basically healthier flapjacks and have the most delicious flavour combos. My recommended Nakd bars would be Peanut Delight (my all time favourite), Bakewell Tart and Pecan Pie.

Livia’s Kitchen Snack bites
These are such a treat for me as they aren’t the easiest snacks to find outside of London. I haven’t tried the new Nugglets yet, but the snack-size Biccy Boms and Raw Millionaire bites are the perfect size to pop in your handbag for a flight snack!

Hippeas crisps
Hands up who LOVES Hippeas crisps?! Made out of organic puffed chickpeas, these yummy crisps are my favourite savoury snacks. They’re packed with fibre and plant protein and are gluten free, vegan and absolutely delicious!

Where are you travelling to this summer? If you need any tips for eating gluten free aboard please drop me a message below or send me an email – I’m happy to help!

Sophie x