How to stay vegan while traveling is a big question for those that are already living the vegan lifestyle or for those that have been giving this lifestyle serious thought. Remaining vegan while traveling isn’t complicated, but it does require planning and commitment. Once you come to the realization that unless you’re cooking your own meals or going to vegan specified eating establishments you will, for a fact, unintentionally consume some sort of animal-based products. Also traveling to taste the popular cuisine of the destination that you’re visiting shouldn’t be at the top of your traveling to-do list. Many cultures use animal-based products when preparing their traditional meals. This is especially true for cultures in Asia and across some parts of Latin America, where most rely on meat and dairy as a top nutrition source. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to partake in experiencing local foods as freely as your non-vegan counterparts.
1. Stay at an Airbnb or an accommodation with a kitchen
I’ve found that this is the easiest way for me to be able to maintain my vegan lifestyle. Since I have access to a kitchen I never need to worry or plan out what I would eat for the day. I’m able to cook wholesome meals where I know what ingredients are being used and have the satisfaction of knowing that absolutely no animal products are being put in my food.
2. Bring food containers with you while on your trip
This has helped me so many times while on my travels, especially if I’m in between destinations traveling by bus or if I’m away from my accommodation and nowhere near restaurants with vegan options. This may seem like overkill, but its nothing worse than being hungry while seeing other people being able to grab food from the local street vendors. This is the perfect moment where food from your container will come in handy.
3. Take advantage of the local fruit & veggie markets
This tip has been crucial in helping me to remain vegan during my travels. There have been plenty of times where I stocked up on fresh fruits & veggies to last me for a few days. When I visited Antigua Guatemala, I would always stop by the Mercado to grab fresh fruits and nuts for breakfast after my morning jog. Eating fresh fruits from the local street vendors is probably the closest that you’re going to get to taste the local foods of the area without the risk of consuming animal-based products.
4. Research the vegan establishments that are in your destination before you arrive.
This is a tip that I have just recently started practicing. This makes planning out your daily activities so much easier. You can plan your daily adventures around specific vegan restaurants that you want to try.
5. See if your hotel or resort offers vegan options prior to booking.
For convenience, peace of mind, and a stress-free travel experience, you’ve probably splurged or spent more than usual on an accommodation with an in-house restaurant. It can be highly annoying knowing that the only vegan options that they have for you are an afterthought Iceberg lettuce salad and french fries. You now have to deal with the fact that you will more than likely have to leave the resort or hotel every single time you want something to eat. This can be eliminated with making sure the accommodation that you’re staying in caters to vegan diets. You can even ask the resort or hotel staff before booking if they are will to make specifications geared towards your diet. Depending on the hotel or resort, most will make this adjustment.
6. Stick to the basics when at a non-vegan restaurant
Usually, if I’m at a non-vegan restaurant, I stick to ordering pretty much the same things no matter what place I frequent. Most of the times it’s spaghetti with tomato sauce and if the vibe is right then I’ll ask if they are able to add mixed vegetables to it. If I am traveling in a Central or South American country, I will order meals similar to beans, rice, plantains, avocado, and maybe a tortilla or two. With meals that are too complicated to make vegan, you will run the risk of consuming animal-based products.
7. Research the traditional cuisines of the destination that you will be visiting.
Out of all the tips mentioned, this one by far is the most important one of all, especially if you will be doing long-term travel. To make it easier on yourself, choose long-term travel destinations whose cuisine is closest to your diet. Unless you’re okay with cooking a majority of your meals and not being able to eat out frequently, then this shouldn’t affect you. I am currently spending 2 1/2 months traveling through parts of Southeast Asia, although I am enjoying my time, the majority of food here is not close to my vegan diet since I do not consume any soy-based products. Destinations such as countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Central & South America would be better options for me since beans, plantains, non-meat based rice, collard greens, yams, etc. are regular staples of their traditional dishes and are what I regularly eat.
