“You can add specifics, such as needing to avoid certain foods, foods you tolerate best, and/or how you need your food cooked (e.g., grilled versus fried or boiled versus raw),” she says. “This can be really helpful to communicate with the person that will be preparing your food.”
If you’re traveling somewhere with a primary language you don’t know, she suggests having the card translated beforehand to help communicate your needs. (Google Translate is always a handy tool.)
3. Scope Out the Bathroom Situation
Whether at a remote Wyoming diner or an elegant Paris pâtisserie, knowing the bathroom situation is a must for people with UC. The only way to determine if you’ll have the access you need is to inquire ahead. If you have time in advance, try calling a restaurant to ensure their restrooms have multiple stalls (and are in working order).
On the other hand, if you’re in a situation where it can be hard to plan ahead—like on a road trip or a visit to a new beach—there are other ways to scope out nearby restrooms. “I highly recommend the We Can’t Wait bathroom-finder app,” says Moran. Created by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, this app helps you locate more than 45,000 publicly accessible restrooms in the U.S.
4. Communicate With Travel Companions
You don’t have to share any personal details, but if traveling with others, don’t hesitate to speak up about your dining preferences. “When I travel with a group, I often will suggest eating at a certain restaurant that I have already vetted,” says Moran. “Sometimes, I even send my travel buddies the list of restaurants I’ve researched before the trip.” When family and friends know you’re protecting your health, they’re likely to accommodate your needs graciously.
5. Do Your Research on Reviews—and Write Your Own
Restaurant websites can be helpful, but they aren’t the only source of info for travelers with ulcerative colitis. Tresca says she frequently finds social media more useful since restaurants’ Facebook or Instagram pages may have more up-to-date details than their websites. Plus, social media is a great place to search for reviews from previous diners. Another idea is to check TikTok or Reddit for UC-friendly restaurant recommendations in your destination. Message boards on travel sites like TripAdvisor may have UC-specific reviews as well.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to give back to the ulcerative colitis community by sharing your experiences. After you’ve visited a restaurant on your travels, consider writing a Google or Yelp review with details you wish you would have known ahead of time. Or do your fellow UC-ers a solid by posting in the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s message boards, which include a community forum on travel. “We all learn from each other,” says Reddy. “If it is a great experience, share it—if it is a bad experience, share it, too, so that the next in line is better prepared.”