Travelling from Australia to The U.S

[emma]

I am a bit scared as we have never travelled with the children.I have two aged 10 and 18 that have acute HFI.I would love some advice on places to eat,snacks to buy for the flights etc.Thankyou

[ukbill]

You are really going into the home of the sweet tooth in the USA just about everything bought has added sugar! Not even the bread sold in supermarkets is safe!

I can think of no where more dangerous for an HFI except perhaps Thailand where even the bottled plain milk sold in shops has added sugar.. and trying to read the Thai language is not easy!

Some of the american HFI people on the site will be able to help you more.

MacDonald's is not safe in the UK and makes me feel really ill just form the smell of sugar that permeates the place..

I believe in the USA MacDonald's meat burger is suposed to be safe (not the bread just the meat part only) and the chips but nothing else except the coffee and maybe the plain milk?.. so its really not worth going in there except in a Dire emergency.

KFC is safe in the UK but I have no idea about in the USA.

PS I believe in some places all the water sold in bottles has added sugar as WELL!

No wonder they die so young over there.

[emma]

Thanks for the reply,i am able to cook in most of the places we are staying.I have checked the Mcdonalds chicken nuggets over there and they seem fine,however im worried that the ingredients listed maybe wrong.I cant believe they add sugar to water,thats crazy!Thanks again,it is so nice to be able to communicate with people who understand what i am saying.My children are 10 and 18 and i have had to educate myself so far on there dietery needs.

[colormist]

McDonalds in the US has safe French Fries (chips), chicken nuggets, and beef patties. Chicken strips, fingers, bites, or patties are NOT safe. Milk, coffee, and water are all safe. Sometimes the tea is safe (specifically ask for UN-SWEET tea and double check when they hand you the tea).

KFC has safe Original Recipe chicken and macaroni & cheese. I don't think anything else is safe.

I think you can bring food on to the plane, just make sure it's in a sealed bag (like a small bag of chips) and don't bring anything even remotely liquid. I was able to bring grits with me on the plane. You can buy water once you get past the security checks and bring that with you onto the plane. In fact, you can buy ANYTHING after the security checks and bring it with you on the plane.

[Tammy]

Don't stress over this. Bill makes it sound much much worse than it is. The only water that contains sugar is flavored water. And although it is clear and looks like water, it is clearly marked that it is flavored. Pure water is just that - pure water.

I have traveled in many countries with my daughter, and I find traveling the easiest in this country. The biggest difference is that EVERYTHING is labeled here. So if you can read the labels, you are good to go. Just be sure to read them and don't assume it should be ok. They do add a lot of sugar to things that really don't need it to be there.

Bread will vary from region to region. Again, just read the label. A lot of supermarket grocery stores have a bakery instore and quite often you can find safe bread there.

When you go to restaurants, use the word Allergy. A lot of emphasis has been given to allergies lately and if you tell them it is an allergy they will work with you in making things without sauces or seasonings. As long as you don't mind eating things plain, they will make them plain. Just don't trust their sayso that any sauces are ok without that label.

Even when cooking for yourself, when you are buying ingredients, be sure to check all the labels. Don't assume anything is ok without reading it first. If you remember to do this, you'll be just fine.

McDonalds is indeed one of the safe quick-bite places. As long as you stick to the items that Colormist suggested. The fish filet is also ok as long as you get it without the tartar sauce or bun. Just the fish patty alone is fine. Chicken McNuggets and fries are our go-to quick meal.

Snacks - Triscut Crackers, Cheeze-it crackers, cheese puffs, plain potato chips are good go-tos. Be careful on pretzels. Many are fine, but be sure to (again) check the labels as some contain corn syrup and I never trust the corn syrup to be pure.

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

[colormist]

Oh! Another easy off-menu item is plain pasta with butter. If a restaurant has pasta on the menu, chances are they also have butter (and/or parmesan cheese). Just ask for plain pasta with butter.

I also like steak and potatoes. There are lots of steakhouses in the states, so steak and potatoes are a good alternative (or even a plain (cheese)burger without the bun). Watch the fries and potatoes to make sure they aren't sweet potatoes or have added non-safe ingredients.

I am totally eating cheese-its and rold-gold cheese pretzels right now. ^_^

[emma]

Thankyou Tammy and Colormist for your helpful information.This is our first overseas holiday as a family.We have 4 children and 2 with HFI.We are very excited about our trip!I have never been in contact with anyone else who lives with HFI.This discussion board is wonderful for me.Thanks again.
Emma

[emma]

Sorry i forgot to ask if you have coke zero and is it safe for them.They drink Pepsi max and coke zero here.

[Tammy]

We do have both Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke. Not sure what the Pepsi Max and Coke Zero are sweetened with. Regina can't do Splenda and some are sweetened with that. I know both the "diet" ones are fine. Again, they will have it on the label. And if they are from a fountain at a place like McDonalds, then the diets are again fine.

If they get tired of plain hamburg, then also most restaurants will also do plain grilled chicken or shrimp. We also eat a lot of steak and potatoes or steak and pasta.

[Tammy]

What area of the states are you traveling to? East coast? West coast? South? Someone may have more specific idea depending where you are heading.

[emma]

Hi Tammy,we are staying in Anaheim,Beverley hills,Las Vegas,New york and San francisco.We are also doing a full day in Washington and Boston.Thanks for your reply
Emma

[emma]

Does anyone know if the KFC chicken nuggets are safe in the U.S.Also i have been looking up diners ,are they cooperative regarding HFI requests.Thanks

[colormist]

OMG, Emma, that's a crazy trip. I hope you're staying in the states for a few weeks.

Coke Zero and Pepsi Maxx are both sweetened with Splenda which is not safe for people with HFI. There is always water, milk, unsweetened tea, if you can't find the drinks Tammy mentioned.

KFC chicken nuggets are not safe (last time I checked). KFC's breading has fructose in it.

[Tammy]

whoa.........That's a busy trip. A full day in Washington and Boston? You might get a feel for the area, but you can't do either of those cities in a day.

Another fast food chain that might help is Long John Silver's. The coating they use on their fish, chicken and regular shrimp is safe. Just stay away from the popcorn shrimp. Also their fries are fine.

Some places will season their french fries but they will leave the seasonings off if you request it. Just one more thing to remember to ask about....... lol.

[emma]

Thanks Tammy and colormist,we are staying in the States for 1 month.Thanks for letting me know about the chicken nuggets,in Australia they are fine as well as the coke zero.Its annoying how they change there recipes in other countries.It would be great if they made everything streamlined.Thanks for your snack ideas too,my children are excited about trying something different.I will look up the Long John silver restaurants,that sounds good too.Thanks Emma

[ukbill]

Emma I know this is off topic but I hope you are teaching both your HFi children to cook?

I am sure you will have a fantastic holliday enjoy

[emma]

Hi Ukbill,yes i have taught them to cook and have educated them from a very early age.I have never been able to talk to other people with HFI only there specialist.Im sure we will enjoy our holiday,thankyou.Emma

[ukbill]

emma I am interested to know how the trip went?

I hope you had a good time and the lads were able to cope well with the American diet?

I have to admit I am as worried about going there myself as I was about going to Bangkok in Thailand even though it was only supposed to be a 1 hour stopover, which turned into a 24 hour due to the plane breaking down on takeoff!

Not been to the USA yet but it looks to be a very un-HFI friendly place to be..

How did you find it?