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When you have a food allergy or a medical condition that requires explanation, traveling abroad can present unique challenges. You may struggle with communicating in a language you aren't familiar with to ensure you avoid eating something harmful. Translated medical cards are a solution—and you can purchase them from several online retailers if you’re not confident making your own.
Food allergies are among the top reasons travelers use translated cards. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s also useful to know some key terms in the local language, such as asking if a dish contains nuts. Even better, study beforehand to familiarize yourself with popular nut-laden foods and the names of different nuts so that you can navigate a menu without needing to ask about every dish. (Some cards also include a list of common ingredients that contain allergens, helping both you and your server communicate more effectively.)
Here are some places where you can order pre-made cards for food allergies and special diets (including religious and medical restrictions):
Select Wisely, offering an extensive range of cards.
Equal Eats, where you can personalize a card.
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, offering a customizable downloadable PDF for the foods you’re allergic to.
FoodAllergy.org also provides free downloadable cards.
In addition to food allergies, you may need a card for other health conditions. Select Wisely offers cards for conditions like diabetes, asthma, and more. For instance, the diabetes card contains a request for sugar, which you can point to if you're experiencing hypoglycemia. It also includes a request for assistance with transportation to the hospital.
Before relying on a card with text you don’t fully understand, it’s wise to have a bilingual person confirm that it conveys your intended message, and that you'll be able to comprehend the server or chef's response. Select Wisely's cards typically end with a simple yes/no question like 'Are there nuts in this dish?' for easy understanding.
Alternatively, you can take a DIY approach: Have your message translated, create your own card, or take a screenshot of your message and save it on your phone. Just be sure to have a fluent speaker check it over to avoid relying on inaccurate translations, like those from Google Translate.
