Like most Coeliacs when they go out, my bag is my emergency kit. It contains items that I don’t consider leaving the house without. Especially, if I am going to be eating out with friends, on the road or away somewhere I’m not used to. By packing my bag with certain types of items I am always prepared for instances that find me unable to find safe food or eating something that was supposed to be safe and wasn’t. Trust me the latter does happen on occasion, despite my best efforts.
Snacks
The first thing that I never leave the house without is a snack. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t take a snack with me to work or anywhere else I am bringing my own lunch. However, snacks can come in real handy when you are going shopping, to the movies or any other kind of social activity. I usually determine what the risk is of me not being able to safely eat and decide the quantity and quality of snack I pack.
The type of snack I bring changes regularly. If the risk is low a lot of the time I’ll just bring some fruit with me. In 2015 when I was researching for my Can A Coeliac eat at the Melbourne Zoo article I fuelled my day with just two apples.
One of my favourite snacks though is rice cakes. There are many varieties around and you can find many gluten free brands of these snacks out there. For those who love the chocolate covered rice cakes like me; Table of Plenty has the mini rice cakes in travel packs which are perfect for slipping in your bag. Aldi has the larger rice cakes in packs of two which again work well. For those who want something a bit healthier, you can find plain or cheese flavoured ones as well.
Other great snacks are things like gluten free bars. We have Carmen muesli bars, the counter bar brand, orgran fruit breakfast bars, Kellog’s Breakfast bar and all of them would work well for an on the go snack.
You can also pack nuts. The Peanut Company that I was sent to review last year would work well. I found some Thai Sweet Chilli Cashews in NQR from The Nut Company as well.
And of course, you can always pack chips or popcorn or other similar snacks. I keep these ones for days when there is a high risk of not being able to eat. Usually, it involves lots of travel. When my friends will stop off at McDonald’s or somewhere and grab something to eat. These can be things like the Orgran Quinoa Super Snackers, Smiths Chips, Cobs Popcorn and the likes.
Aside from Snacks though there are other important items that I keep in my bag. I always have a bottle of water to keep myself hydrated and my emergency glutening kit.
Emergency Glutening Kit:
Part of what I do here at The Aussie Coeliac is try out new venues for you all and that does come with a bit of a risk. While all my choices are logical and I ask the questions covered in my three-part dining out series. There is always a risk. Airborne contamination is one but the biggest is human error. We are all human. We make mistakes and we are all capable of lying. My Emergency Glutening Kit prepares me for the worst should I accidentally be glutened.
- De-Gas Tablets
I keep a packet of peppermint de-gas tablets to help with the gassy side of a glutening. I’ve found that they do settle my stomach very well and help ease discomfort. If I was at home I’d get myself a peppermint tea but while on the go these are my best option. - Pain Killers
Usually, I don’t use painkillers. I like to know what is going on with my body and the medicine just numbs everything. However in situations when I’ve been glutened I do tend to take pain meds because everything aches. Not only do I get migraines but I also get joint and stomach pain. With some many things going on at once if I need to keep pushing through the day some Panadol is pretty much my only option. While ibuprofen is stronger I am unable to take it due to a history of stomach ulcers. - Gastro Stop / Anti Nausea meds.
When you get glutened you aren’t supposed to stop the vomiting or diarrhoea that accompanies it. Your body needs to flush the toxin so I only use these tablets as a last resort. Typically I have used them on a road trip when I can’t be pulling over to the side of the road every 3 minutes and where there is no toilet close by. I’ve used them during an exam and while on public transport as well.
It is important for me to let you know that as soon as I am in a stable place I allow my body to flush itself. I do not like stopping the natural functions of my body.
The final items I keep in my emergency glutening pack are, mints, travel toothpaste and toothbrush and deodorant. These not only make it more comfortable for me to put up with being glutened but others around me as well. Brushing my teeth after throwing up helps me feel better and spraying myself with perfume or deodorant makes it easier for people to be near me. I bet you all know that feeling.
Misc.
I also carry in my wallet a copy of my Coeliac Society eating out card. You can order these on the Coeliac Australia website. This is a business card that can be used at restaurants and cafes to inform the waitstaff of what Coeliac Disease is. Another big help is my phone, well more so the apps on it. I have the Coeliac Australia ingredients app and a few of the others from my Top 5 Coeliac Apps that are great resources when I’m on the go.
That is everything I keep in my bag. If you have a suggestion or have something else you keep in your emergency glutening kit then leave it in the comments below.
Share this with another Coeliac who you think may need to put together an emergency kit or may just nod along and laugh.
Tomorrow I’ll be posting my usual Wednesday Recipe so be sure to return then.
For recipes, recalls and subscriber perks sign up to our newsletter in the sidebar.
Until Tomorrow;
Ashlee; The Aussie Coeliac.
