How a Professional Musician Navigates Gluten Free Travel
Jen Boyce of Ballpark Music gives A Gluten Free Podcast first-hand insights into managing coeliac disease as an indie rockstar
Ever wonder what it's like to be a touring musician who lives with coeliac disease? How do you find safe gluten free food when travelling across Australia and the world on tour?
We were delighted to have Jen Boyce of Ball Park Music on Episode 158 of A Gluten Free Podcast to explore gluten free travel, her life as a professional musician, and advice she has for others living on the road as a coeliac.
Jen’s gluten free journey has been anything but easy, especially in the wake of her diagnosis with Graves’ disease and endometriosis.
Yet the bass player’s strength and persistence stands as a glowing example of someone who has overcome serious adversity, all the while providing a case study for managing the autoimmune disease far from home.
Early Diagnosis and Health Struggles
Boyce experienced major health complications from an early age. Diagnosed with coeliac disease in her final year of high school in the mid 2000s, a string of symptoms would lead to separate diagnoses for Grave’s disease and later endometriosis.
“I had Graves' disease, a thyroid condition, and (was) sent to an endocrinologist because of that,” she told Ben. “Probably a week after that, (I) got the call (I) have coeliac disease.”
At 16 years of age, Boyce would vomit regularly after meals. This is where a biopsy provided the definitive result for coeliac. As her physical health continued to suffer even after this period, it would not be until recently she received confirmation for two other conditions that impacted her quality of life.
“I had previously been in constant pain, pelvic pain, bowel pain and exhaustion, migraines, infertility. (I) then had my surgery and I was able to have my little boy who's two now… It's been about three years since that big surgery that changed my life.”
On-Road Success Determined by Preparation
Becoming a member of one of Australia’s most successful and iconic indie rock bands of the 2000s, Boyce knew her music career would be shaped by her health. As the Brisbane group rose to fame and booked tours on the road, preparation became fundamental.
“There's a lot of late nights, early mornings, not enough sleep, lots of travel, it's not an optimum time to stop and have a meal or a snack. You've really got to think ahead,” Boyce explains. “In terms of planning ahead, I always look up where the hotel is, where the venue is, and look in the radius around those (locations) to find cafes, restaurants, (and) supermarkets.”
Brisbane’s own indie success Ballpark Music. Image: ballparkmusic.com
What is the best tactic to use when time is not a luxury and you’re suddenly in foreign locations? From Boyce’s point of view, the world’s biggest search engine remains the gold standard for research. This keeps the approach simple.
“I still utilise Google the most,” the bass player outlined. “If I'm sitting in a hotel and I've looked up somewhere for breakfast, but maybe we (arrived) earlier, then I (Google) ‘gluten free near me’ and look at menus.”
Cross referencing on Facebook and Instagram has also proved effective, but for Boyce, there are basic internal questions that must be asked of every establishment. If they pass the threshold, they become a viable option.
“How good are they at doing gluten free?” she asks. “Do they advertise themselves as coeliac-friendly? Or is it just an afterthought on their menu?... I always look at menus, Instagram and everything before I go to a place, so that I can check how well labelled the menu (is).”
By undertaking this research ahead of time, Boyce avoids the type of hunger and stress which affects on-stage performance.
In the Same Ballpark: Coeliac Companions
The good news for Boyce: she’s not alone in her gluten free diet with Ballpark Music. Drummer Daniel Hanson has the same requirements for health reasons, allowing them to coordinate and strategise.
“Both of us had times where we've got gluten(ed) before a show,” she recalled. “It makes it incredibly hard to put on a good show and do your best, because you're feeling terrible. It's really important we'd let the venue and the staff know so we can be properly looked after.”
“You’re allowed to be nitpicky when it’s a matter of whether you’re going to be able to play a show or not. I can’t do my job if this happens.”
As Boyce and Hanson make sure they have snacks available at all times, there would be one memorable occasion where the bass player would be glutened just prior to a show. After consuming a supposed “gluten free” wrap to satisfy her hunger, she would later discover her symptoms were a result of wheat flour which showed up on the label of the wrap.
“It was irresponsible of them to have people working in a kitchen that don't understand allergies and food safety,” Boyce said. “Since then, even if I'm starving, I'm very, very, very careful… You're allowed to be nitpicky when it's a matter of whether you're going to be able to play a show or not. I can't do my job if this happens.”
Ignoring Predictable Social Pressures
Jen Boyce on stage for Ballpark Music
Living the rockstar lifestyle carries plenty of perks. However, for Boyce, the realities of her health creates a scenario where rest and preparation must come first.
With late night shows and early departure times constantly on the agenda, the Queensland native has learned to push social distractions aside when focusing on the bigger goal.
“I don't care what other people think about my choices,” she exclaimed. “I just care about how I feel. There definitely would have been a time when I would have felt pressured to stay and chat or be somewhere until a really late time when it wasn't really necessary.”
Best Gluten Free Touring Locations
As a member of an award winning indie band, Boyce has explored corners of Australia and the world to gain first-hand knowledge of the best gluten free spots possible. It would only make sense to find out which locations came highly recommended.
“Now I have my go-to places everywhere I go,” Boyce explained to A Gluten Free Podcast. “Melbourne has been the best place for food in general, probably for all of us. In terms of yumminess, variety and coeliac safe(ty).”
While Europe has plenty of great coeliac-friendly spots, it did create obstacles for quality gluten free breakfasts. Yet there was one country which delivered the goods for all meal choices.
“A surprising place I found (where) the food was amazing (and) lots of gluten-free, coeliac-safe options was the Netherlands. Falafel places, you get salads and actually healthy (options), which is nice, not just like hot chips… I found amazing restaurants in Amsterdam and Rotterdam as well.”
South-East Asia would open new doors and possibilities for the band in front of adoring crowds, but it also showcased great meal varieties for Boyce and Hanson.
“I played shows in Jakarta, Indonesia and Vietnam. I did not get glutened, which is incredible to me. We had a host in each of the places that was translating for us when we needed things.”
Practical Gluten Free Travel Advice
Whether you’re a professional musician touring the world, or just a gluten free citizen navigating your way from one location to the next, the same principles apply. After years of painful accidents, close calls and developed routines, Boyce is ready to cut to the chase when passing on advice.
“The number one thing is to always have a snack or a ready meal you can put in the microwave or pour hot water into,” states Boyce. “There will be times where there's nothing available and you need to eat those snacks, even just to give you the energy to go and find more food… I've had long haul flights where I've requested a gluten free meal and it didn't show up. So I've had to survive on snacks for a whole flight.”
Airline travel creates its own complications. Even if a gluten free meal option is provided and selected, don’t take that purely at face value.
“Prepare ahead and confirm with the airline that you've got a gluten free meal booked. Reconfirm the gluten free meal is booked. If you just booked it when you bought your tickets, I would check again, email guest services, just checking that my gluten free meal is booked.”
Ballpark Music closing out a set on the road. Image: instagram.com/ballparkmusic
Be Open to New Foods, Cuisines and Experiences
Personal experience tells us that coeliacs and gluten free consumers are quick to form habits. For safety and peace of mind, it’s far easier to eliminate foods than roll the dice.
However, Boyce’s extensive touring taught her that being overly cautious with every food choice is not always necessary.
“I'm (vegetarian) too so I've cut out a lot of things that would make my life easier,” she explains. “People can be very stuck in their ways in terms of cuisines and the type of foods that they might eat… Being open to trying new cuisines and foods (is important). Because I've been gluten free for so long, I've forgotten what a lot of other stuff tastes like.”
So long as you follow the right precautions and research, why limit yourself to a whole new world of cuisines and food that you would never discover closer to home?
“Especially if you're going to do overseas touring and travelling, be open to new flavours maybe you wouldn't usually try,” Boyce argues. “If they're safe to eat, then give it a go… You might be surprised. Your tummy will be full and you won't be sad.”
You can listen to the entire interview with Ben and Jen Boyce for Episode 158 of A Gluten Free Podcast right here. The Ballpark Music bass player gives personal insights into Graves’ disease, endometriosis, her son’s health battles, her passion for music, the emergence of Ballpark Music and teasers for band news and upcoming shows.
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