One of my biggest concerns coming abroad was what and where I was going to be able to eat due to my allergies. What if the servers don’t understand my allergy due to a language barrier, or what if I can’t experience the culture when traveling? I’m allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and if you’re in a similar situation, I’m here to give you tips and ease your concerns.
For one, if you’re traveling somewhere in the European Union, there are good regulations regarding the transparency of ingredients. Most reputable restaurants will have some sort of allergy code in the menu, where each item has numbers or letters attributed to it that align with a code of common allergens listed elsewhere in the menu. I have noticed it is difficult to find a restaurant that uses the same code, though the EU has created its own list; many restaurants utilize their own unique versions.
Much like, and sometimes even more so than, the United States, restaurants abroad are happy to hear your concerns, explain their ingredients, ask their chefs, and recommend other food. They are also honest if they don’t believe they can accommodate a request, whereas in the US, I feel like restaurants will often underestimate the cross-contamination concerns in their kitchens, especially for allergies like gluten. My roommate, for example, has a gluten intolerance. Together, we are hard people to eat out with, but we’ve managed to get local and cultural food in every country we’ve visited so far by doing our research, not letting it hold us back, and taking the time to speak with the servers about their menu. Learning your allergens in your respective country’s language is vital, but if you’re forgetful like me, Google Translate's camera feature is a lifeline in grocery stores and restaurants.
All in all, find a nice line to walk between being vigilant for your safety and not letting fear hold you back from cultural delicacies and experiences. Study up on the common foods of your country, learn what to avoid, and explore the grocery stores to find safe options for cooking. You can even shift your comfort foods to your new country; for instance, I love US dinner rolls, and have grown incredibly fond of Czech bread dumplings. While they might not have your exact comfort and safe foods from the States, exploring new foods is all a part of the abroad experience, and your allergies shouldn’t hold you back if you do your due diligence!
McKayla Donat
Fall 2025
IFSA - Study in Prague
Columbian College of Arts and Science
History Major