6 Countries to be mindful of when travelling with a peanut allergy

15th August 2024

6 Countries to be mindful of when travelling with a peanut allergy

Travelling the world can be exciting, but for those who suspect peanut allergies, it can also bring about a heightened sense of caution. Different countries have varying levels of awareness and accommodation for peanut allergies, and it’s crucial to know which destinations require extra vigilance. If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, understanding the risks in certain countries can help you plan a safer and more enjoyable trip.

Thailand

Thailand is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, but peanuts are a staple ingredient in many dishes, including the famous Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) and numerous street foods. Cross-contamination in food preparation is common, making it challenging to avoid peanuts entirely.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Pad Thai (ผัดไทย)
  • Satay (สะเต๊ะ)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: ไม่มีถั่วลิสง (mai mii thua lisong)

China

Chinese cuisine often includes peanuts and peanut oil, particularly in dishes like Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) and various stir-fries. Language barriers can also pose a challenge when communicating allergy needs.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)
  • Noodles (花生面)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: 不要花生 (bú yào huā shēng)

India

Indian food frequently uses peanuts and groundnut oil, especially in snacks and street food. Given the prevalence of peanuts in many regional dishes, it’s essential to exercise caution and communicate your allergy clearly.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Bhel Puri (भेल पुरी)
  • Chutney (शेंगदाणा चटणी)
• Translation for “no peanuts: मूंगफली नहीं (moongphali nahin)

Indonesia

Indonesian cuisine, particularly in Bali and Java, uses peanuts in a variety of dishes like Satay (Sate) and Gado-Gado. Even if peanuts aren’t listed as an ingredient, cross-contamination can occur in shared cooking spaces.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Satay (Sate)
  • Gado-Gado
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Tanpa kacang tanah

Nigeria

In Nigeria, peanuts (or groundnuts) are a common ingredient in many traditional dishes, such as Groundnut Soup. Street vendors and local restaurants may not always be aware of the severity of peanut allergies, so it’s crucial to be vigilant.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Groundnut Soup
  • Kilishi (spiced dried meat with peanuts)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Ba tare da gyada (Hausa)

Mexico

While Mexican cuisine is known for its rich flavours and variety, peanuts can be found in dishes like Mole Sauce and some street foods. Ensuring that food is peanut-free can be challenging, particularly in local markets.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Mole Sauce
  • Cacahuates (peanuts in various snacks)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Sin cacahuates

Tips for safe travel with a peanut allergy

If you’re not sure whether you have a peanut allergy, the best thing to do is to first take an allergy test to be sure. If you discover you do have a peanut allergy, you’re not alone. Approximately 1-2% of the global population is estimated to have a peanut allergy, affecting millions of people worldwide.

A peanut allergy shouldn’t mean you can’t travel. Here are our safe travel tips:

• Research before you go: Research the typical ingredients used in your destination’s cuisine and identify potential risks.
• Learn key phrases: In countries where English is not widely spoken, learn key phrases to communicate your peanut allergy. We’ve given you a head start above. 
• Carry allergy cards: Use allergy translation cards to explain your condition to restaurant staff and food vendors.
• Pack safe snacks: Bring a supply of safe, non-perishable snacks in case you have trouble finding suitable food options.
• Stay in accommodations with kitchens: To avoid cross-contamination, consider staying in places where you can prepare your own meals. This isn’t always ideal for holidays, but for longer-term travel, it can bring you peace of mind.

Take control of your peanut allergy

If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, it’s crucial to confirm it before travelling. Knowing your allergy status can help you take necessary precautions and avoid severe reactions. Our peanut allergy testing kit offers a simple, accurate, and convenient way to determine if peanuts are affecting your health.

Understanding peanut allergies can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Travel plans don’t need to be grounded to keep you safe. Why not register as a new patient or take one of our home allergy tests? Begin your path to a peanut-free life today. 

Travelling with allergies: how to plan ahead

15th March 2018

Travelling with allergies: how to plan ahead

For many people, exploring new foods, landscapes, and ways of life through travel may be an experience like no other. But, travelling with allergies can create an array of challenges. Worrying about your allergies can cause unwanted stress and dissuade you from wanting to travel. However, your allergies should not mean you have to miss out on new and valuable experiences. Whether, it’s a short break to a nearby city or an extended break across continents, planning ahead can put your mind at ease when it comes to your allergies.

Fun in the sun

If you suffer from hay fever, the time of year and destination can influence the likelihood of you reacting. Plan to travel at a time of year and to a destination with a low pollen count. This could greatly improve your experience. You may be allergic to certain types of pollen that do not exist in other countries. Or, their blooming period may be different, due to diverse climates. This could offer the perfect opportunity for you to travel abroad without having to worry about your allergies. Why not go for a swim?

For those with asthma that can be triggered by low air quality, it may be worth checking pollution information and weather forecasts for your chosen destination, before travelling there. If you must travel to a highly polluted area, the weather forecast can provide valuable insight into the likelihood of an asthma attack. This is because cold weather with no sun can cause air pollutants to sit close to the ground. This creates a thick blanket of pollution, which you may need to avoid if pollution can trigger a reaction.

As well as researching where you will go, you should also research how you will travel. Some airlines are more accommodating than others when it comes to allergies. Information on an airline’s allergy policy is available online. You can also read about other people’s real experiences with each airline, in case their actions do not reflect their policies.

Wish you were here

Accommodation is another important aspect of travel that can make or break the holiday experience of someone with allergies. Many hotels will offer allergy-friendly rooms or advertise themselves as being allergy friendly. It’s useful to ask your potential hotel if they offer these rooms or if they can make the necessary adjustments to your room to fit your allergy needs. Sometimes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

If you are in a country that does not speak your language, it may be worth learning a few of the key phrases necessary to describe your allergies. This may ensure that others fully understand the risk to you. This will be particularly useful in restaurants if you have a food allergy.  You need to be able to understand the menu so that you know you are ordering food that is safe for you.

It will also help to ensure that the staff understand what you are allergic to so they can make any adjustments necessary. It may also be nice for locals to experience tourists communicating in the local language. This can help you build a rapport with staff, who may then be more likely to go above and beyond to help you with your allergy needs.

Even something small like planning ahead can improve your experience of travelling with allergies. Of course, there are plenty of ways that you can prepare yourself to travel with allergies, but what if you could start the process to try and get rid of them all together?

By getting tested for the allergens that most affect you, you can start looking at the appropriate treatments. If you’re concerned about travelling with allergies and would like to discuss treatment options. Book an appointment with one of our specialist consultants today.