Planning a family vacation with family or friends? Family vacations are a fun way to spend time with loved ones and make lasting memories.
Whether you are going away for a short local break or a long trip abroad, traveling on a low protein diet required for metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU), homocystinuria (HCU) or maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) does not have to be overwhelming. With a little organization and forward planning, there is nothing to stop you from having a great vacation. Here are a few traveling tips to check out before you go:
Booking Accommodations
If you are planning to stay in a hotel here are some tips:
- Call ahead and see if there is a refrigerator or microwave in the room. Some hotels offer suites with full kitchen amenities which can help make preparing low protein meals away from home easier.
- Do they allow shipments in advance? Save time and hassle at the airport by shipping your metabolic formula in advance. Be sure to use tracking so you can confirm delivery before you leave home.
- Is it a full-service hotel? If so, call ahead and see how willing they are to prepare low protein food during your stay. Hotels with buffet-style meals may offer a wider variety and make finding suitable low protein foods easier.
Travel Letters
If you are traveling abroad, contact your metabolic team to make an appointment to obtain a ‘travel letter’. This letter should include details of you or your child’s metabolic condition, low-protein food, and metabolic formula requirements.
It is advisable to make a couple of copies of this letter as you may be asked to send a copy to your airline or your travel insurance company. You should also carry the letter with you in your carry-on luggage in case you need to show customs to explain why you are carrying metabolic formula in your luggage.
Your letter should include the following:
- Your condition and why medical products are needed
- The name of any metabolic-related products you are carrying with you in your luggage
- Who will be using the products
- If you must carry liquid formula, e.g. for an infant
Airline Travel
If you are traveling with PKU, you should contact your airline’s customer service department to notify them of your travel requirements as soon as you can. Airline policies regarding traveling with metabolic formulas will differ, so it is worth checking with a customer service representative before you travel.
Airplane food is generally not low-protein-friendly, so you may need to pack (or purchase prior to boarding) any metabolic formula, low protein food or snacks you might need during the flight.
If you are booking an international flight, you will need to order a special meal. Please note that even meals listed as low-protein or vegetarian/vegan may not be low enough in protein for the diet, so explain your dietary requirements clearly.
Tips for Traveling with Formula on a Plane
- Always pack extra metabolic formula in your carry-on bag in case of delays
- Do not mix metabolic formula powders with liquid until you go past the security screening checkpoint
- Keep your metabolic formula in its original sealed containers (packages, cans, or sachets)
- Take a copy of you, or your child’s diet prescription with you
- Take low protein snacks for the flight
- It may be useful to switch to a powdered metabolic formula when travelling abroad or for a low period of time, to reduce your overall luggage weight. However, ready-to-drink pouches that don’t require mixing are also particularly convenient when traveling by car or shorter time periods. Contact your dietitian for more information on these options. Find the right formula for your trip
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