I learned today about a new web resource, Labelwatch, that combines ingredient labels from all sorts of grocery store staples with definitions of some of the gobbledygook you’re likely to find on them — especially useful if you want to know where food additives are derived from. The ingredient information comes from the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, and with the usual caveat that food labels do change frequently (so you need to check them every time) this sort of resource may let you get a good idea of what foods might be worth cutting coupons for. In combination with a website like Calorie Count Plus, you’ve got most of the resources you need for online diet planning as well, if you’re trying to lose weight.

I have it phenomenally good as far as grocery shopping goes. Within a short distance, I have two allergy-friendly supermarkets (a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s), a co-op with a really good selection of baking aids, and a large grocery store with an OK selection of safe foods, plus an amazing gluten- and casein-free bakery (they ship!). And we’re members of a CSA during the summer and fall. I count on hitting two to three stores a week, depending on what I’m out of, but I can usually find good options for myself and for entertaining friends who are also on restrictive diets without too much drama.

I think every so often — very gratefully! — about how easy I have it but it doesn’t always really hit me until I go on a trip. We went on a road trip last week, and in many towns we stopped in on our drive, I was glad we’d brought a generous stash of snacks for the car. Even in decent-sized supermarkets, I can’t always count on finding foods that are safe for my constellation of food sensitivities, especially when I’m in a hotel and don’t have a kitchen.

How about you? Do you have reasonable shopping options in your area, or is it a constant battle? And what do you do when you’re traveling — do you lug giant bags of food around, or have you discovered a good workaround?

• Grocery Shopping for Food Allergies
• Frugal Living and Food Allergies