I am a big fan of using translation cards when I travel. If you have been reading Gluten-Free Globetrotter for a long time, you know I have used these cards around the globe! Shellfish and gluten-free/celiac cards in Thailand and gluten-free/celiac cards in Prague, Costa Rica, France, and even in Chinatown, NYC. These cards are a lifesaver when traveling with any food allergies or celiac disease. Long time readers will notice that I rarely promote products on this website unless I really believe they are useful to fellow Gluten-Free Globetrotters! SelectWisely cards are one of those products I feel can be a great tool for a celiac traveler.
This post contains affiliate links. If you decided to buy the products, I may make a small commission. Thanks for your support!
Last week, I was in Singapore and chose not to use these cards on my trip to Singapore last week because I heard everyone spoke English. In retrospect, I wish I had a Malay or Chinese card with me to eat some more of the local foods. That said, I ate very well in Singapore because I did a ton of research. Stay tuned for a HUGE post!
When I went to Thailand a few years ago, I worked closely with SelectWisely LLC to create customized cards for my trip. In a land of oyster sauce and noodles, I wanted to make sure my cards clearly displayed both my celiac disease, gluten-free diet and my shellfish allergy. These cards worked almost too well… I had a day in Chiang Mai when NO ONE would feed me. They saw my card and immediately shooed me out the door. I was “hangry” at the time but looking back, I am grateful I did not get glutened in Thailand. As a matter of fact, I’ve never gotten sick after using any types of these cards! People take them very seriously.
SelectWisely LLC has many standard cards including gluten-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, gluten-free and vegetarian, and gluten-free and sugar-free. There are many other cards that can highlight your other food allergies, skin allergies, drug allergies, health emergencies, diabetes, and so much more. You can also create customized cards in specific languages with specific food allergies as well as carry a travel emergency card which states you need immediate medical attention. I had both of these created for Thailand, just in case.
The cards are available in 65 languages, but special languages can always be ordered. Additionally, the cards are durable plastic the same size as a credit card. Digital cards are also available. These cards are a must-have for anyone traveling to a country where your native language is not spoken. They also come in handy at home when dining out at a restaurant where the staff might not speak English.
If these cards are out of your budget or you are looking for something else, check out my full list of translation cards available across the internet.
Gluten-Free Globetrotter Special Offer
I have partnered up with SelectWisely for a special Gluten-Free Globetrotter deal. When you make a purchase at SelectWisely.com, you will received the translated and laminated cards as well as the PDF cards sent to you for the same price. (There is usually a separate charge for each!) You must use code FREESHIPERIN at check-out to get this special offer.
*US and Canada shipping only! Offer valid until May 31, 2018.
