Travelling with a nut allergy: 7 destinations to visit

Undeniably, there are some important things to consider when travelling with a nut allergy. This includes forward planning with allergy cards for travel and familiarising yourself with the local cuisine at your destination. 

However, having an enjoyable trip with allergies isn’t just in the planning, it’s in the choosing of the location. Here are seven of the best places to visit so you can experience local flavours with an allergy.

Food is fundamental to Italian culture and just because you have an allergy, doesn’t mean you should miss out on the joys of Italian cuisine.

A great thing about Italian cuisine is that it is known for using fewer ingredients (often no more than five per dish) and peanuts rarely feature. 

Walnuts and pine nuts may feature in sauces like pesto, so make sure to avoid any of these or ask if you’re unsure.

Some cities such as Florence and Bologna use a numbering system on their menus for allergens. This means that you can clearly tell which dishes feature which allergens, so you can feel confident when travelling with a nut allergy.

Just to be safe, carry allergy cards and have some Italian phrases handy to explain to staff what it is you require.

When it comes to travelling with a nut allergy, Canada is one of the best places to visit. 

With a progressive attitude towards allergy awareness, you’ll find various allergy menus, clear allergy labelling on food and strict food preparation in restaurants. 

If you’re ever in doubt, having allergy cards for travel will help you explain to the kitchen what you can’t eat, helping to relieve any allergy-related stresses.

Japan rarely uses peanuts or groundnuts in its cuisine, so you can head straight to the sushi bar for a feast. 

Naturally, the language barrier may pose a few issues in terms of communicating your needs. To avoid any misinterpretations, make sure you know how to pronounce a few of your safe dishes in Japanese. Also keep your nut allergy cards for travel handy, alongside an app ready for translating labels and menus.

Around two million people living in the UK have a food allergy, so awareness and standards for allergen labelling are suitably high. 

Most restaurants and pubs will be able to accommodate those with a nut allergy or tell you whether the dish isn’t suitable. 

If you’d prefer self-catering, some supermarkets allow you to filter by allergen when shopping online.

With 50 million living with a food allergy in the USA, awareness here is reassuringly high. 

While you will most likely encounter some nut-based products, food items are legally required to be clearly labelled, so rest assured, you’ll be able to spot them. 

And while flying with a nut allergy can be tricky, many domestic airlines in the USA – and some international ones – say they will refrain from serving nuts if notified in advance. So check the details when planning your trip.

Much like the USA, Canada and the UK, Australia is well-versed in food allergies. With strict food preparation and labelling regulations, travelling with a nut allergy to Australia is certainly feasible.

Some Australian supermarkets also have an extensive ‘freefrom’ section for those with allergies, perfect if you opt for a self-catering trip.

Don’t let your allergies hold you back in Greece. When travelling around, it’s reassuring to know that peanuts are not overly popular in Greek dishes. However, sometimes they may be served in some bars or restaurants. 

Tree nuts – such as pine nuts, walnuts and pistachios – are more commonly found in salads and desserts.

Oftentimes, if nuts do feature in dishes, an equally delicious replacement is often available also – so you don’t have to miss out on the flavours of the region.