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Original poster

BA 'special' meals

25 replies

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 07:46

Hi. I'm flying to the US next week. Not been long haul for years so cannot remember what good is likely to be.

I have developed peri related dairy and gluten intolerance.

I can only choose one type of meal.....it's only an intolerance rather than an allergy so only small side effects I really need to worry about but anyone know what the meals tend to be. I'm thinking of choosing the gluten free one as maybe less likely to include much dairy than the dairy would include much gluten....any thoughts?

OP posts:
Dogsitterwoes · 18/10/2023 07:55

Are there no gluten-free vegan options?

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 18/10/2023 07:57

I would take your own food. I have the same and even though my meal was a chicken and rice one I still had an upset stomach on the plane.
which of your symptoms are worse? For me it’s dairy. I can limit gluten by not eating the bread roll say but would be ok with pasta. So for me I would choose dairy free.

Original poster
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 07:57

No vegan is just vegan so could have gluten from what I can see.

OP posts:
McIntire · 18/10/2023 07:58

You should be able to request a meal with those dietary requirements

Original poster
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 07:58

McIntire · 18/10/2023 07:58

You should be able to request a meal with those dietary requirements

No - it specifies only one meal can be chosen.

OP posts:
sep135 · 18/10/2023 07:59

I mean this kindly but BA meals are barely edible in any case. I'd take something as a back up.

Original poster
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 08:02

@UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter I would say dairy is my worst symptoms. Tbh It's literally only the last month or so I have found out it's gluten as well.

However my thinking is if I go dairy free there could be a roll plus pasta and maybe a cake. Whereas if I go gluten free maybe just some sort of yoghurt as it's unlikely to be a cheesy based meal if no pasta.....

My daughter is fructose intolerant so between that lot it's going to be interesting eating out on holiday.

OP posts:
Trisolaris · 18/10/2023 08:02

From memory most of these airlines combine these meals for efficiency so their gluten free meal will be their vegan/dairy free meal etc rather than coming up with lots of different options.

I’d go for gluten free but bring some back up options just in case.

nottaotter · 18/10/2023 08:03

@sep135 I was just about to say this, if you are going to get even a small stomach issue I wouldnt risk it. Even the food in Business is not very nice, and I eat pretty much anything and love my food.

Can you eat something decent before the flight and take your own snack? I know its long haul but with a banana, nuts or your own decent biscuits etc you should be ok.

Original poster
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 08:09

Thanks everyone. Symptoms are not so bad it's a major issue but I just don't want to start holiday on a bad note. I think I will probably ensure I have plenty of snacks so I can eat them if needed.

OP posts:
ActDottie · 18/10/2023 08:29

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 18/10/2023 07:58

No - it specifies only one meal can be chosen.

Show quote history

Have you rung them and asked though? Or is this just what is online?

Buggerthislove · 18/10/2023 08:32

I've been lactose intolerant for over 20yrs, the biggest help for me was lactase enzymes tablets, you can get them from Boots, Holland and Barratt, Amazon etc. The brand that works best for me is Best Naturals 9000FCC on Amazon.
You take a couple of tablets just before you eat and you're able to tolerate any dairy and just need to concentrate avoiding the gluten. They've made my life so much easier.

sep135 · 18/10/2023 09:58

Even the food in Business is not very nice, and I eat pretty much anything and love my food.

You're right (we usually cash in our airmiles to fly business). Last time they'd 'run out' of breakfast so were serving chicken casserole type lunches at 6am. Bit early for all that...

Plumful · 18/10/2023 11:19

Just take your own food. Plane food is disgusting anyway!!

McIntire · 18/10/2023 13:26

I agree with taking your own just in case but I’ve had some decent meals on board actually!

Benminster · 18/10/2023 13:28

any thoughts?

Just take your own food.

gotomomo · 18/10/2023 13:32

I always order south Asian but I'm not sure if it's guaranteed gf

Parker231 · 18/10/2023 13:32

sep135 · 18/10/2023 07:59

I mean this kindly but BA meals are barely edible in any case. I'd take something as a back up.

If you are travelling in economy you are unlikely to want to eat whatever meal is served. I’d suggest taking your own food for any economy travel

PenOfTentacles · 18/10/2023 13:38

The only good thing about BA special meals is that they serve them first and you’re not left with whatever lukewarm slop nobody else wants.

IrresponsiblyCertainAboutSexualDimorphism · 18/10/2023 14:15

Not BA, but last time I specified vegetarian I got a tasty meal on the way out but on the way back got some hideous tasteless vegan monstrosity that no sane vegan would have entertained. Someone nearby had a GF meal that looked different, edible, and as far as I could tell, meat free. It’s a lottery. Definitely take your own if you can.

GlobetrottingPercy · 18/10/2023 14:19

I flew BA last year and had the GF meal. It was chicken in a tomato sauce with green beans and mash on the way there and a breakfast of eggs, bacon and beans on the way back so it definitely wasn’t vegan and GF. I would suggest doing dairy free if that’s your worst symptom but also take some other food on the plane.

bestbefore · 18/10/2023 14:35

I just get the normal food as the special meals are awful. It's so badly thought out. Like i had dairy free request. Breakfast - my husband had sausage and bacon and beans (obvs non dairy) but I got fruit! And no special milk for my tea, just normal.
I'd just take some snacks you know you can have and pick at the meal. If you can choose on board the food then just pick the least bad option. Gluten free might be more of an issue for sure but don't have any high expectations.

mrsbyers · 18/10/2023 14:42

Go to M&S and take your own food , on my recent flight to US the food was revolting anyway. Just don’t take anything like hummus or dips as they will fail security

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 19/10/2023 19:57

Be careful in the us as well. Lots of hidden dairy. We went to New York Charlestown, Orlando in the summer and so many times I ordered something like a sandwich or chicken burger thinking I can ditch the bread and it had cheese in.
chicken tenders with melted cheese on top. No mention of cheese on the menu.

Original poster
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 19/10/2023 20:53

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 19/10/2023 19:57

Be careful in the us as well. Lots of hidden dairy. We went to New York Charlestown, Orlando in the summer and so many times I ordered something like a sandwich or chicken burger thinking I can ditch the bread and it had cheese in.
chicken tenders with melted cheese on top. No mention of cheese on the menu.

Thanks. I'm more worried about fructose for my daughter as I know that's in loads and you cannot 'see' it.

OP posts:
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