Guide for Vegetarian, Vegan, or Plant-Based Foodies on Vacation
Guest post by Hannah Stevens
Going on holiday as a vegetarian, vegan, or on a plant-based diet can be a little scary, especially when you are new to a new eating lifestyle. Eating out in a different city, especially out of your home country presents another challenge. Do you eat what looks familiar? What if they aren’t accurate with their list of ingredients? What if you don’t know what’s in your food at all? Is it easier to avoid eating out all together?
A new place, a new country, a new scenery, and especially new food is worth exploring - even if you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or on a plant-based diet. Sometimes questionable food decisions from a passionate foodie can present a frustrating challenge, especially if this aids in recovering from jet lag to enjoy the trip fully.
But rest assured, our sure-fire tips can help you cover the field and feel in control of all of your incoming foodie adventures!
Research Your Bucket-List Food Within Your Destination
With varying cultures, your destination's community may have different perspectives on vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets. In some countries, for instance, it might mean avoiding red meat while chicken, eggs, and seafood are acceptable. In such cases, you will have to be very specific when ordering food at a restaurant.
Chances are, you’re going to be looking forward to eating food you’ve heard of before and have always wanted to try. In this case, you can make a list of your bucket-list meals within your destination that you’ve always wanted to try, but unsure of how it’s made or what it composes of. A good start is browsing through how the locals like to make these meals. If you get lucky, there might be such versions of the same meal that are made without meat.
If You’re Stuck, Just Stick To What You Know
Despite your vegetarian lifestyle, you’re probably looking to stick to a balanced diet regime. Throughout your journey of welcoming a more nutritious set of ingredients, you’ve learned to have a more tasty relationship with certain fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Prior to ordering, make sure to ask your server what options on the menu are vegetarian or vegan friendly.
However, if you find yourself pressured between a quick-moving line at a food truck and a decision on what meal to get, just remember to learn the proper translation of, “No meat, yes?”
Always Look For Ways To Seek Restaurant Recommendations
Whether you’re still at the airport waiting for your flight to board, or shopping among locals in Italy, making small talk can lead to various restaurants or food recommendations.
Chances are, passengers with you could easily be tourists like yourself. If they’ve done more research or have been to your destination themselves, then you have just won yourself a few more options in your arsenal.
Prepare Your Meals
Worse for worse, you can always cook. If you’ve prepared your own meals before, a quick trip to grab ingredients you’re highly familiar with can save you the worry. Besides, the local market might be the best place to find fresh produce.
For health reasons, you may want to be sure that your food is not prepared on utensils that have been exposed to meat. Since you can never be too sure, it is good to pack some from home.
Consult your Doctor or Nutritionist
You should always check with your doctor before going on your trip, especially if you have a chronic condition. A qualified health practitioner will determine your overall fitness for travel. They can also make recommendations on where to go for medical check-ups. During your visit, make sure you inquire about allergies, and the foods to avoid during your vacation.
