Traveling with Food Allergies: My Honeymoon in Spain
Traveling with food allergies isn’t just about packing your bags, planning hotels and excursions, or remembering your passport. It’s also about researching restaurants, figuring out what foods to avoid (or focus on), learning how to say your allergies in the local language, and packing the right medicines and snacks… and that’s just the beginning! I wanted to share a bit about my honeymoon in Spain this past May and how I managed eating safely while still having so much fun.
Just a reminder—I’m allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and dairy. One reason we chose Spain is because my research suggested it would be a place where I could actually eat a lot without stress, and I’m so glad we did!
We kicked things off in Madrid. I got a hamburger without the bun, on lettuce and tomato, with French fries. The waiter spoke some English—not perfect—but my allergen card in Spanish made everything so much easier.
Then we headed to Mallorca, where we spent most of our time (Cala D’or, Soller, and Deiá). I’ll be honest—I probably had spaghetti bolognese at least four times! When you have allergies, sometimes it’s easier (and way less stressful) to stick with the same safe meal rather than risk something new. And honestly? I was totally fine with all the pasta in the world! The resorts and restaurants were amazing—fresh fruit, eggs, and meats were always available. Even when dishes looked safe, I made sure to tell staff both ahead of time and again when ordering.
Some of my favorite meals weren’t even big meals—fresh mango and watermelon on the beach, homemade bread with tomatoes, and fresh-squeezed orange juice from a local citrus farm. I also enjoyed lots of chicken, fish, french fries, and salads. Local markets were perfect for grabbing snacks too—one day we packed watermelon, chips, and prosciutto for a boat trip! Anything with allergens listed only in Spanish, I skipped, sticking to items labeled in both Spanish and English.
And one of the best surprises? Olives! In Spain, many restaurants serve olives instead of bread to start—an allergy girl’s (and an olive fanatic’s) dream.
Overall, I felt so comfortable eating in Madrid and Mallorca. It reminded me that life doesn’t have to feel limited by food allergies—you just need to plan ahead, take precautions, and enjoy the journey. Traveling with allergies is absolutely possible, and it can be so much fun!
Stay tuned for more of my adventures traveling with food allergies—Greece will be next! And if you have any questions about these places or want restaurant recommendations, DM me on Instagram @jessicajessnyc or email me at eatsafelivebig@gmail.com.
XXOO,
JJ
