Gluten-Free Party Hacks: Pack Snacks & Meals for Celiac Safety

If you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy and you just got invited to an event, you might be wondering if there will be safe food options available. What do you do when you're not sure? Depending on the event, I have a different strategy—but I usually stick with three things.

Strategy 1: Pack Snacks

When you're heading to an event where you might not trust the food options, packing your own snacks is essential. Here are just some of my favorites:

• Mix It Up: I like to pack a mix of salty and sweet snacks, so I have variety throughout the event.

• On-the-Go Options: If I’m going somewhere that’s serving a meal, I make sure to have snacks that can tide me over until I can eat a proper meal.

Strategy 2: Prepare a Meal for Yourself

Sometimes, an event is all about the meal—but if you’re not sure if the options will be safe, I like to prepare something for myself.

For example:

• Turkey Sandwich: I pack a turkey sandwich in a packet cooler. The PackIt Freezable Snack Box is insulated and has ice packs built-in, making it super easy to carry and perfect for fitting in my purse. If you take a larger meal, you may like the PackIt Freezeable Lunch bag

• Charcuterie Meal: This is an easy meal to pick up at almost any grocery store. Buy a box of gluten-free crackers, cold cuts, cheese, nuts, dried fruit, celery, carrots, and olives. Choose whatever you desire. You have a complete meal that is filling, portable, and easy to eat almost anywhere.

• Hearty Salad: I also like to pack a hearty salad. Whether I make it just for myself or bring enough to share, having a safe meal option is a must.

  
  
  
  

Individual hearty salad

Strategy 3: Bring Food to Share

Mediterranean Layered salad to share with a crowd

I talk to the host and ask about the party, and find out if they would like me to bring a dish to share. If they are interested, I ask about their meal, and what type of food they will serve and offer a few complementary suggestions. I have a variety of hearty salads for different types of cuisines. They will complement the main dish, but they are also hearty enough for me to eat as a complete meal. Alternatively, I may bring a main dish or a soup that will be a welcome addition to the host's plans.

Share Your Favorites

What are your favorite ways to ensure you have safe food at a party or an event? I'd love to hear your tips and strategies!

My Go-To Snacks & Affiliate Links

Here are some of my favorite snacks along with affiliate links for you to check out. If you're looking for something specific, let me know—I probably have a recommendation.

• Other Go-To Snacks:I have many favorites in my pantry, including:

  • Siete chips

  • Quinn stuffed pretzels

  • Bare Apple Chips

  • Lorissa's Kitchen - I picked these up at Costco recently

  • Chomps

  • Archer Farms

  • Wild Zora Bars

  • Crunchmaster Crackers

  • Simple Mills Crackers

  • Olive pouches from Trader Joe's

  • E3 Energy Cubes Protein bars - They don’t have those fake sweeteners or artificial taste. They have a great texture too. My favorite flavor is the peanut butter chocolate. Shop E3 Energy Cubes →

    
    

  I tend to choose snacks that are more on the real food side because I find that I feel better when I stay away from sugar. Sorry, I don’t usually go for the gluten-free Oreos.

  
  

  You can find a list of some of my favorite snacks here:

  • Walmart Snacks →

  • Amazon Snacks →