We knew early on in our parenting journey that we had a picky eater on our hands. And we didn’t want that to limit our travels. Over the years, we have learned strategies that help us navigate exotic cultures while ensuring nobody goes hungry. Here we present our thoughts on how to travel with a picky eater. We acknowledge that everyone will have a different approach to dealing with food issues, and what works for one family may not work for another. But we hope that at least a few of these tips will resonate with you if you are dealing with a similar situation.
Research and plan
Before your trip, research the destination and find out about the local cuisine and available dining options. (You should be doing this whether you have a picky eater in your family or not. Trying the local fare is one of the best parts of any trip!) Look for restaurants or eateries that offer a variety of dishes or cater to different dietary preferences. Many restaurants now have their menus online, and we review them to see if there are choices that everyone in the family will enjoy. If the restaurant doesn’t have an online menu, you can check reviews of the restaurant on sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor, and see what other travelers report having ordered.
We are thorough planners when we travel. We typically identify a few possible restaurants close to every hotel and neighbourhood we plan to visit – likely a mix of table service and counter service options. Then, depending on how much time we have available, what we feel like eating and how long of a break we feel like we need, we have a range of options to pick from.
While this might sound very “Type A” – it is! – we truly enjoy the trip-planning process and the time that goes into doing the research. We are big believers that it goes a long way toward making our travel as smooth as possible. Our worst travel experiences tend to be when we’re tired, hungry, feeling out of sorts in a strange place with a language barrier and we don’t have a plan for where to find something to eat. We’ve learned that a bit of planning helps minimize the chances of that happening.
Pack familiar snacks
Bring along some familiar snacks and foods that your picky eater enjoys. Having familiar options available can provide comfort and ensure they have something to eat if they don’t like the local cuisine. You can tuck a granola bar into your daypack in case nothing on the menu appeals.
Consider a backup option
Another option to travel with a picky eater would be to have a backup restaurant or shop in mind. If our picky eater can’t find something to eat at dinner, we might plan our walk back to our hotel to pass through a street market or past a variety store, where they might be able to pick up something to eat if they’re still hungry.
Involve your picky eater
Involve your picky eater in the planning process. Show them pictures or descriptions of local foods and involve them in selecting restaurants or dishes they might be willing to try. Having time to think things over and letting them know what to expect in advance will help them feel more secure in their choices.
Be open to compromises
Encourage your picky eater to try new foods, but also be understanding and patient if they’re hesitant. Look for compromises, such as finding restaurants that offer familiar options with slight variations or allowing them to have certain foods they feel comfortable with.
Something that we have built into every trip we take is searching out a local McDonald’s for one of our meals. This provides a benefit to everyone in the family. Our picky eater gets to order something familiar that they know they will enjoy. And the rest of us have a lot of fun trying the menu items that are unique to whichever country we are visiting.
Seek local advice to help your picky eater
Ask locals or hotel staff for recommendations on restaurants or dishes that may be more suitable for picky eaters. They may have insider knowledge of places that can accommodate different tastes or offer alternatives.
Embrace food experiences
Turn mealtime into an opportunity to explore and learn about different cultures. Encourage your picky eater to try at least a small portion of local dishes, even if they have reservations. You never know; they might discover something new they enjoy.
Our biggest successes have come when we’ve had the opportunity to try foods that the region is known for or that we might not have the opportunity to try again anytime soon. Peking duck in China, crocodile bites in Zimbabwe – these were foods where the desire to have bragging rights for having tried them won out over the scariness of the unfamiliar.
Create positive food associations
Try to create positive associations with trying new foods. Offer praise and encouragement when your picky eater is willing to try something new, even if they don’t end up liking it.
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Stay flexible and be patient with your picky eater
Remember that travel is about experiencing new things, including food. However, it’s also important to maintain a balance and ensure your picky eater feels comfortable and satisfied during the trip. Flexibility and compromise are key. Keep in mind that picky eating can be a temporary phase for some individuals. By exposing your picky eater to new foods and providing a supportive environment, their tastes may gradually expand over time.
In conclusion…
Every family is different and food can be a loaded issue. These tips and tricks have worked for us to make traveling with a picky eater easier on everyone, but maybe you’ve had a different experience. How do you travel with your picky eater? Please leave your ideas in the comments below.
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