When you have severe or multiple dietary restrictions, traveling can be frustrating, depressing ... or a lot of fun, especially if you do some advance planning. Here are a few things I've learned from personal experience on the road and in the air. 

I long to be one of those people who packs a healthy, well-balanced meal when they travel. I have friends who pack lunches for their plane journeys — thinking out which foods will complement others and how it will affect the way they feel mid-flight. I don't do this. Usually I can barely manage to eat a decent breakfast before I get out the door. But what I can do is throw together a trail mix for those flights — one that's been put to the test during quick camping trips, day hikes or longer car rides. And I'm always thankful that I took the few minutes to do so.

When I had to adopt a restricted diet last year, I also got a crash course in planning ahead for snacks. Grabbing an impromptu bite to eat became a lot more complicated, and even store-bought energy bars were off-limits due to various food allergies and intolerances. I quickly developed the habit of always — always! — carrying something edible and energy-boosting in my bag. Packed with fruit and seeds, these oat bars are like a thick, cakey granola bar, and so much more exciting than a bag of GORP. 

It's true that when the weather turns warmer, I don't bake as often. But when you live in Seattle, that tends to be a slow, evolving process with many people here insisting that summer doesn't actually start until after July 4th. In other words: we've got some baking days left in us yet! I've been experimenting with wholesome quick breads for breakfast and had great luck turning oil-laden, sweet recipes into healthier morning options. 

If you think raw food has to be austere, Amber Shea Crawley's Practically Raw Desserts will surely change your mind. From cookies to cakes, brownies, pies, puddings, candies, and other sweet treats, the recipes in this cookbook are full of flavor and also flexible so you can adapt them to your tastes, dietary needs, and ingredients on hand. Even if raw (or paleo or vegan or gluten-free) isn't your "thing," this book is a fun introduction to new cooking techniques and no-bake dessert options.

This week marks the first time I will be celebrating my birthday as a gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free person. Friends have expressed their condolences, staring into space with looks of pity (or is that horror?) as they imagine a birthday without a "real" cake. Me, on the other hand, I'm feeling energized and ready to pile my plate with a tumble of biscuits, strawberries, and cream. It's strawberry shortcake season!

Dessert is one of my favorite meals. Let's face it: I have a pretty fierce sweet tooth. But many of us are trying to watch our sugar intake or, at least, cut down on the pure white stuff. Here are seven desserts that satisfy a sweet tooth without using any white sugar at all.  

When we put out a call for your most-requested topics for Reader Request Week, there was one thing that bubbled to the top over and over again: Low-sugar and diabetic-friendly cooking. But we realized that many of you reading the site probably have more practical experience than we do in cooking for diabetics. What have been the most important things you've learned about cooking low-sugar foods? 

Chia seed puddings are all the rage these days, and for good reason. When stirred with water, juice, or milk, the seeds gel up and thicken, creating the most delightful tapioca-like texture. It's easy (no heat required!) and contains all the nutrition of chia seeds, which taste neutral enough that you can play with your favorite flavors. In my case, that means a sweet spring combo of strawberries, coconut, and lime.