Staying vegan while traveling can be a tricky task. But with a bit of planning, it’s completely doable. You can manage your meals while away from home without any stress.
All this requires a strategic approach. Read this quick travel guide to get informational insights about how to stay vegan while traveling by following some easy and simple steps.
Plan For Vegan-Friendly Options
Before travel, do some research about your destination. Research means you should look for local vegan and vegetarian restaurants, markets, and cafes at the place where you are planning to stay. This research will be helpful to discover places where you can easily get your desired food.
Moreover, there are also many apps available that can guide you to vegan-friendly spots around the world. You can get help from such apps to find local vegan places near your location without any hassle.
It is also worth mentioning that you can check out various travel blogs and forums for insider tips on where to find great vegan food near your place. This would be a great idea for you to find out about local specialties that fit your diet.
Pack Smart with Vegan Essentials
It is also true that sometimes long journeys or trips to remote locations might not always offer vegan options. In such cases, we recommend that you pack a selection of your favorite non-perishable vegan snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and crackers.
These snacks will come in handy when you’re on the go or when local food options are limited. You can also pack a reusable water bottle and a travel-friendly food container to make it easier to stay hydrated and carry snacks.
Adapt Local Dishes to Fit Your Diet
While traveling, you must know how to adapt the local dishes from any place to fit your vegan lifestyle. Many cultures have traditional dishes that can be easily modified to be vegan.
For instance, in Japan, you might enjoy a bowl of rice and vegetable tempura, while in India, you can savor flavorful vegetable curries and lentil dishes. Both of these dishes can easily be used by those who are on a vegan diet, as both of them are plant-based meals.
Furthermore, it is highly important for you to learn about local ingredients and dishes that can be customized to meet your needs.
Communicate Your Needs Clearly
When you are dining out, clear communication is very important. Learn a few basic phrases in the local language to explain your dietary needs or use translation apps to assist with this.
Phrases like “I don’t eat animal products” or “Is this dish vegan?” can help ensure your meal meets your standards.
Many restaurants are becoming more accommodating to dietary preferences, so don’t hesitate to inquire about ingredient lists and preparation methods.
Choose the Right Accommodations
When you are traveling, try to choose the right accommodations for you. This will help you prepare your meals on your own and ultimately vanish your worries about finding vegan ready-made meals.
For this purpose, try to get kitchen facilities with accommodation. Many Airbnb properties offer kitchens where you can prepare your own meals, and some hotels and hostels also provide vegan options.
You should contact your accommodation ahead of time to confirm that they can meet your dietary needs or to find out if they have a kitchen available for guests.
Join Vegan Travel Communities
If you want to stick to your vegan diet, try to engage with vegan travel communities online to get tips and advice from fellow travelers. Social media platforms and forums are great places to find recommendations for vegan-friendly restaurants, grocery stores, and local markets.
It is also worth mentioning that Instagram can be a valuable resource for discovering vegan eateries through hashtags and location tags.
Be Flexible and Creative
Sometimes, you need to acknowledge the fact that finding vegan options might not be straightforward. Right?
In such a case, we would recommend being prepared to adapt and being creative with your food choices.
Many restaurants can modify dishes to fit vegan requirements. For instance, you can request a pasta dish without cheese or a salad without animal-based ingredients.
In this way, flexibility can help you enjoy the local dishes of the new place while sticking to your vegan diet.
Bring Vegan Staples with You
If you’re traveling to an area where vegan products are scarce, it is better for you to consider bringing some essentials with you.
You can bring accessories like Vegan protein powder, plant-based milk, condiments, etc. All of these can be useful in maintaining your diet.
You can also look for other compact and travel-friendly versions of items to save space in your luggage.
Final Words
Traveling as a vegan is an opportunity to discover new foods and cultures. Right? Therefore, it would be better for you to embrace the adventure and enjoy the experience of finding creative ways to stay true to your diet.
Keep in mind each destination offers unique plant-based options that can enhance your travel experience and expand your culinary horizons. So, be flexible and try them out to find the best one that fits your preferences.
