I have been a vegetarian for more than ten years and browsed strange new cuisines in many countries, and they are still increasing. I found very delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes everywhere. But even after so many successful vegetarian adventures, every time I enter a new country, there is always a question in my heart that bothers me: Is there no meat? Here are some best tips how to travel as a vegetarian.
I have learned a lot during the journey, so I want to share some tips and tricks that will help my fellow vegetarians travel the world happily like clams (or should I say “yam”?). I don’t know you, but for me, happiness is closely related to eating well. When traveling to a new place, most vegetarians will look for the best vegetarian restaurants (more on how to do this later), but I am passionate about being able to eat food anywhere, not just vegetarian restaurants. Read on for tips on eating in places where the locals are vegetarian.
Following a vegetarian diet during travel can be challenging. By planning ahead, you can make travel easier. Choosing a vegetarian-friendly destination, learning to express your dietary needs in the local language, and packaging vegetarian-friendly snacks will help you stick to your diet. When you arrive at your destination, try to find a vegetarian diet using a restaurant app or guide, or consider booking a room with a kitchen to cook your own meals.
Best Tips How To Travel As a Vegetarian
Here are some best tips how to travel as a vegetarian:
1. Be very clear about what you eat
When I have mistakenly asked if there was anything “vegetarian” in a restaurant and plainly told no, I didn’t give up and asked “Is there anything with no meat, fish or chicken (yes, chicken “isn’t meat” in a lot places) on the menu?” and actually get lots of options. So many people simply don’t understand the v word. It’s fine to use it in a list to describe yourself, but in actual eating situations, avoid it and be clear about what you want.
2. Copy the ideas from local veg restaurants
The best part of local vegetarian restaurants is that a lot of them will adapt the local cuisine to suit vegetarians. I wouldn’t eat regularly in these types of restaurants since they are not usually frequented so often by many locals (and because of this, they may also be quite expensive), but their menus give great inspiration for ways to cook local food or ideas to suggest to those cooking for you.
3. Research restaurants before you arrive
Traveling while vegetarian will be much easier if you take the time to research restaurants in your travel destination before you arrive. Peruse guidebooks, talk to friends who previously traveled to the destination, and do some online research. Make a list of restaurants you will visit along with their addresses and hours of operation.
Also Read: 10 AMAZING TIPS FOR SURVIVING A ROAD TRIP
4. Try a vegetarian restaurant app
You can find vegetarian options in your travel destination with the help of an app designed with vegetarians in mind. Apps like Happy Cow will recommend vegetarian restaurants as well as meat-serving restaurants that offer good vegetarian options. You can also use an app like Foursquare, which flags restaurants as vegetarian-friendly.
5. Choose a vegetarian-friendly destination
You might not always be able to choose your travel destinations, especially if you are traveling for work or with others. If you do, however, have a say in where you go, pick a place where the fare is vegetarian-friendly. For example, India, Thailand, and Israel are known as vegetarian-friendly destinations due to religious restrictions as well as high numbers of vegetarian citizens.
Must Do some online research to find out what locations are vegetarian-friendly.
Also Read: How To Stay Healthy While Traveling | Tips For Healthy Travel
6. Pack vegetarian-friendly snacks
Sometimes travel doesn’t go as planned. You might end up stranded in an airport or searching for a vegetarian restaurant only to find it is closed! You can avert disaster by packing portable vegetarian foods like nuts, protein bars, dried fruit, or nut butter.
7. Give street food a chance
In many places, street food is vegetarian. This means there might be multiple vegetarian dinner options available from street vendors. Take, for example, Central America. In Guatemala, you can get a cheap, delicious vegetarian options like papusas, empanadas, and rellenitos in most cities.
Also Read: HOW TO BOOK CHEAP FLIGHT TICKETS | TIPS FOR BOOKING CHEAP FLIGHTS
8. Be flexible
Traveling as a vegetarian can be challenging, but it is important that you remain flexible. Not all places you choose to dine will have the best vegetarian options, and you will need to be flexible about what you eat. For example, if you end up at a restaurant where the only option is salad and bread, you will need to be okay with the meal.
9. Book a room with kitchen access
Cooking your own food means you will have control over the ingredients and can rest assured your meals are vegetarian. Try booking a hotel, hostel, or homestay that will give you access to a kitchen. Look for one near a market or grocery store to make shopping as effortless as possible.
