I'm just going to say it. Travelling gluten free through an airport is, frankly, a bit of a nightmare.
I recently travelled and found myself doing what every coeliac knows all too well, the desperate lap of the terminal, peering into every shop window hoping to spot something, anything, that was safe to eat. WH Smith? Crisps and chocolate. Boots? A meal deal that definitely wasn't going to work for me. The usual suspects, the usual disappointment.
Now, I know airports are expensive. Everyone knows airports are expensive. But when you're coeliac, you feel that expense on a whole different level. You can't just grab a £4 meal deal like everyone else. You can't pick up a quick sandwich from the first place you see. You're limited to whatever the airport has decided to stock for the gluten free community, which, spoiler alert, is usually not very much.
The One Place That Saved Me: Joe & The Juice
Just when I was about to resign myself to an empty stomach and a very long flight, I spotted a Joe & The Juice. And honestly? They deserve a proper shout out.
The sandwich I had was genuinely unreal. Fresh, filling, actually delicious, the kind of thing you'd be happy to eat anywhere, not just because you were desperate. I was so relieved I nearly cried (dramatic, maybe, but any coeliac who's been in that situation will understand).
Was it cheap? Absolutely not. £16.50 for a sandwich. Let that sink in. £16.50. For some bread and a few ingredients. I paid it, obviously, because what choice did I have , but I did spend the next ten minutes having a quiet word with myself about the state of airport food options for people like us.
Why Is This Still So Hard?
Here's what gets me. Coeliac disease affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK. That's not a niche group, that's a significant chunk of every single person walking through those terminals. And yet the options remain woefully limited.
Airports are full of coffee shops, sandwich chains, and convenience stores. Most of them have something gluten free on the menu, but finding it, trusting it, and knowing it's been handled safely is a whole other challenge. Cross-contamination at busy airport counters is a real concern, and most staff aren't trained to understand the difference between a preference and a medical need.
My Tips for Surviving the Airport Gluten Free
Until airports catch up (and I live in hope), here's what I do:
- Pack your own snacks. Always. Non-negotiables in my hand luggage: rice cakes, gluten free cereal bars, nuts, and something a bit more substantial if I know it's a long travel day.
- Pre-order your airline meal. Most airlines offer a gluten free option if you request it in advance — do it as soon as you book, not the night before.
- Look for Joe & The Juice — seriously, if there's one in your terminal, go there. They were brilliant.
- Check the airport's website before you travel. Some airports list their food outlets and dietary options online. It's worth five minutes of research to save yourself a stressful scramble.
- Bring your coeliac travel card. Even in the UK, having something written down that explains your needs clearly can help when you're communicating with busy staff.
The Bottom Line
Airports need to do better for the gluten free community. We're not asking for anything fancy, just safe, affordable options that don't require a full investigation to find. Until then, pack your snacks, find your nearest Joe & The Juice, and try not to think too hard about the £16.50 sandwich.
You've got this. ✈️
— Claire, Gluten Free On The Go