By Samantha Silverman
Traveling — whether in the backcountry, airports, or restaurants in different languages — can feel daunting (or near impossible) for someone with allergies or strict dietary restrictions. I recently traveled from southern Maine across the world to Cape Town and Kruger National Park, South Africa to visit extended family alongside my brother who has a severe gluten intolerance.
Yes, we were mostly traveling to a major world city that speaks English, but as they say… It's about the journey, not the destination. And this journey had about 40 meals to account for. It only takes one missed meal (or one wrong assumption) for stress about food to overshadow a whole day.
All of Good To-Go’s lineup of meals are gluten free. Everything in our kitchen and packaging facility are carefully sourced to be GF to 20 parts per million, with all staff’s personal lunch being eaten in an entirely separate area from where food production takes place. Unlike other brands with a portion of their meals labeled gluten-free, Good To-Go takes the extra step for both safety and options when it comes to our gluten-free adventurers.
Onward to Dulles International.
Airports are notorious for food that looks safe but isn’t, or food that is just not an option for people with restrictions. Flying is always one of the worst parts of travel, no matter who you are. Being hungry makes it that much worse.
But with Good To-Go packed in our carry-ons, we didn’t have to gamble. Meals were already accounted for. No scrambling between terminals, settling for snacks, or anxiety about whether the two tiny airplane meals for 16 hours would actually be gluten free. Even for longer flights, some airlines are not accommodating with special meal requests for economy seating. This, especially, is where Stove-Free™ came in big time. We’ve all heard questionable things about hot water on airplanes (which isn’t boiling, aside from sanitation concerns), making Good To-Go’s Stove-Free meals a no-fuss option for not having to leave your seat for a midnight snack or much-needed supplement — or substitute — for your in-flight meal.
After touching down at Cape Town International Airport, we immediately woke up the next day to hike the iconic Lion’s Head overlooking all sides of the city, Table Mountain, and where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
Just because you’re starting at sea level, and just because it’s a day hike, doesn’t mean you don’t need fuel. Long days with significant elevation and sun are where Stove-Free meals really shine. There is going to be at least double the protein in a Cucumber Chaat Salad than in a pb&j (and still vegan!), and don’t even get me started on gluten free bread or the heaviness of power bars, the other alternative. Real days call for real food.
Later that week, we checked the biggest Cape Town tourist box and braved the trek up Table Mountain. With over 3,000 feet of elevation, this is a hike that needs to be taken as seriously as any overnight, even with a cable car station on the west side of the mountain. Despite the mountain’s iconic flat silhouette, reaching the top is far from the end of your journey. There’s gorges and rolling hills, steep steps, ladders, and chains to climb throughout the “table.” But let’s not forget the satisfaction of sore legs and a meal with a view.
The final and most unique leg of our journey was a short flight to Skukuza Airport for a three-day safari in Kruger National Park.
Our lodge was incredibly accommodating to dietary restrictions, offering a plethora of food before, during, and after sunrise and sunset game drives, but for an experience like this, with long days and such a remote location, Stove-Free™ meals were such an easy addition to our backpacks.
Going to the bush in early summer is always a gamble. At best, you see every animal out with their young. If it’s too hot, your sightings may be extremely limited. Safe to say, everyone was active, and everyone… was well fed.
While Good To-Go is a natural fit for backcountry adventures, travel is unpredictable regardless of urban or remote destinations.
Nothing about traveling internationally changes why you’d want a nutrient-dense, satisfying meal; you’re just operating with fewer variables you can control.
And when travel takes you even farther afield, having dependable food becomes essential. In those environments, meals aren’t just about convenience; they’re about energy, comfort, and not distracting from the experience.
At least while you wait your 12-ish minutes for your Stove-Free to rehydrate, gluten-free isn’t a restriction. It’s just an easy meal.
Good To-Go creates real food for real adventure. Based in Kittery, Maine, we handcraft dehydrated meals using clean ingredients and bold flavors, designed to fuel everything from backcountry expeditions to busy days at home. Whether hot or Stove-Free™, Good To-Go makes it easier to eat well — wherever the trail takes you.
