Travel

How to Travel as a Vegetarian

Published on June 5, 2023

Traveling is fun, but it becomes a bit challenging when you are on diet. The life of a vegetarian is very tasking, and traveling as one makes it even more difficult.

Getting access to vegetarian options while traveling is most times challenging. As someone who travels and needs to keep up with your diet lifestyle, you might be lucky to get your meal or maybe run into starvation. Sometimes you might find yourself eating junk as food.

I can feel your pain and I know how stressful it must have been for you because i have heard and seen folks complain about how difficult it is for them any time they travel. For this reason, I decided to give you a heads up on these so you can scale through this challenge while traveling to remain healthy even after your trip.

Traveling tips for vegetarians

1. Learn the local language

There are lots of languages with a different word that refers to “vegetarian”. For instance, the Japanese initially call it begetarian meaning “Vegetarian”. But if you use that word now you won’t get a response because is obsolete. However, if you request for “yasai” dishes, you will be offered vegetarians meal. Knowing their language for veggies is necessary it will save you the trouble of looking for a vegetable based meal.

2.Carry backup supplies

An extra oil will do you no harm. If you feel getting vegetable based meal will be difficult, or you won’t have enough in the country you are traveling to then you should go with backup supplies. This will help you when you can’t get sufficient quantity or access to any.

It’s a bit easier to get vegetarians food in bigger cities. Vegies such as trail mix, granola bars, trail mix, packets of dried fruit and nuts can be found in supermarkets and some other stores. In smaller towns where you rarely see packaged foods, you might go around town looking for veggies. To ease you of the stress it’s better to go with extra pack of veggies.

3.Research in advance

Before you travel make a proper research on some veggies you can try in your destination. Check very well for vegetable based meal that’s readily available.

You can click on Vegman.org or Happy vow to look out for what vegan and vegetarian restaurants is present in your the location you will be staying.

There is a current iPhone app for Vegetarians which is “Vegman” you can download it from their site Vegman.org. It functions like the website version, the only challenge is you must be online to enable you access it. Although you can search for vegetarian restaurants in your location, it displays a map, hours, photos of foods and essential stats such as website, phone number including Facebook page.

ALSO, READ How To Use Uber When You Travel

4.Choose countries with vegetarian options

As you plan to travel select countries that have Vegetarian option, else you become frustrated when you arrive.

Don’t be quick to choose a country so you won’t live there in hunger. Make a proper research on their foods and even their traditional/religious observances.

Examples of some countries to look out for includes: Thailand, Switzerland, Israel, France, Italy, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Ethiopia, UK, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, etc.

5.Learn food phrases and pack a survival phrase book

Some Countries have phrases for food. It’s not just learning the word for Vegetarians but also know the coded phrase for it. Because some countries might interpret Vegetarians meal as other food apart from consuming fatty foods. You have to understand and learn what they communicate with.

Here are examples of food phrases to hold handy “no dairy” , “No eggs”, “Without chicken, fish or shellfish” to enable them know what you want.

6.Ask the locals

You can ask anyone within your vicinity or place where you can get veggies. You can ask the receptionist or the hotelier if you are lodging in a hotel.

7.Be willing to move on

You might become frustrated if you can’t get a veggie option in that locality. The restaurant might not have want you ordered for, instead bugging yourself kindly step out and move on. Just look for another restaurant. There is no need to be confused or bothered, your health is paramount don’t compromise it. Look out elsewhere and you will find something nice and healthy to eat.

8.Snacking

You can decide to go for snacks. But be careful while snacking because you might be cut up with low energy. You will definitely be tempted to take some snacks and Candies on your trip but make sure you pack some veggies to keep you strong and energetic all through.

9.Plan Ahead

It’s good you plan ahead before you embark on your trip. Checkout for stores that have veggies in the country you are traveling to. Be sure there’s a nearby market where you can access your food type, in case you have limited stock or you are running out of stock.

10.Nutritious Recipes

Plan a nutritious recipe as an alternative option in case veggies are not available. Have a pack of meals that are nutritious enough to keep you fit when you are out of stock. These nutritious meal will cover up for the veggies you can’t access.

11.Take one Meal a Day

Try having a meal for a day. Prepare a budget for making meals on your own at least once daily. Get some nutritious foods from the market, this will save you the stress of thinking and worrying you will starve if you can’t find veggies to feed on.

12.Raw Vegetables

According to research raw vegetables increases the amount of nutrient you receive. So consume more raw vegetables this will supply you enough nutrient and aid proper digestion. Have enough quantity of raw vegetables in your diet.

13.Explaining Your Diet

When placing an order for your meal always explain what you need. Some places might mistake your request for something else based on their language interpretation. So if you are saying you don’t consume meat, go further to say you don’t eat chicken or any other meat because some might interpret the “No meat” as maybe you can take Chicken as an alternative.

14.Side Dishes

You can also option for meals with side dishes. For example, you can take meat meal served with veggies or raw vegetables.This is also nice as it also has enough nutrient in it.