Traveling can be a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway or to experience new cultures, backpacking can be a great way to see the world. One thing that many people don’t think about though is their diet. What do vegans eat when they travel? How do they avoid eating meat? What are the vegan-friendly foods abroad?
We’ve compiled the ultimate vegan travel guide to help you avoid any mishaps while you’re abroad. You’ll find everything you need to know about vegan travel, including how to avoid eating meat, how to avoid animal products and animal-tested products, where to go for vegan food, and
What is veganism?
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.
Some people choose to be vegan because they have a belief that animals are not ours to use for any purpose or that our consumption of animal products is not compatible with a cruelty-free lifestyle. Others choose to be vegan because they want to reduce the suffering and conserve the natural resources of the planet.
The Vegan Society is a non-profit UK charity that supports people who wish to reduce their use of animal products. It runs several campaigns, organizes events, and provides guidance on going vegan, as well as helping people find vegan products that are suitable for them.
Veganism is not synonymous with vegetarianism or ovo-lacto vegetarianism. These terms refer to a person’s diet which excludes the use of meat or other animal flesh or milk derived from animals.
How to eat vegan on the go
Planning your vegan diet while traveling can be challenging, so I’ve compiled a vegan travel checklist to help you out! This vegan travel checklist includes the following:
Vegan-friendly restaurants
One of the best parts of travel is taking in the diverse food offered in different places. But, what if you don’t want to eat meat or fish at all? Which restaurants are vegetarian-friendly? Where are there vegan-only establishments?
To answer these questions, it is important to plan ahead and do some research before traveling. Many websites offer restaurant reviews, so it is a good idea to search for reviews of the places you are visiting. Another great way to find vegan-friendly food is to use the Happy Cow app. It offers plant-based, vegan and vegetarian restaurants as well as a map of cultural events and activities in different cities.
Vegan-friendly hotels
If you’re a vegan traveler, it’s important to research the hotel options beforehand. Many hotels will offer vegan options, but if you are traveling somewhere that specializes in certain foods or has a lot of local cuisine, it can be very easy to accidentally eat food that contains animal products.
To find vegan-friendly hotels near you, check out the Happy Cow app or search for vegan accommodations online.
Vegan-friendly attractions and tours
When planning a trip, it is important to do some research about the local attractions and tours. Websites like Trip Advisor offer thousands of reviews. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, this is one of the best ways to find vegan-friendly attractions and tours.
Vegan-friendly phrases in foreign languages
Traveling abroad can be daunting enough, but if you don’t speak the local language it can seem even more difficult. Learning a few essential phrases in the local language is always helpful and can go a long way.
One of the best ways to learn foreign languages is to use resources online. For instance, if you are traveling to France, you could visit offrige.com and find vegetarian menus in French as well as vegetarian versions of common French dishes.
Vegan-friendly snacks
Some of the best vegan snacks can be found all over the world, and there is no shortage of snack-food options in foreign countries.
Snack foods like chips or cookies often contain whey protein or other ingredients derived from animals. So, if you’re a vegan traveler, you will have to do some research to figure out what is and isn’t safe.
Some of the best vegan-friendly snacks can be found at convenience stores. Some of the most common snacks to avoid are non-vegan nachos, jerky, fruit leather, and snack cakes. Another suggestion is to pack your own snacks, our 3 ingredient vegan peanut butter cookies are a great example.
Vegan-friendly travel essentials
When you’re traveling, it is important to be prepared. There are plenty of items that you should bring, and I have listed my top 10 vegan travel essentials below:
- Packing list
- Travel documents & insurance
- Passport and/or other ID card
- Money belt or wallet
- Photocopies of essential travel documents in multiple languages (passport, tickets)
- Wallet with cash & debit cards
- Credit card with chip & pin (or enough cash)
- A few postcards of your hometown in case you get homesick
- Small bag or backpack to carry items while you travel
- Vegan snacks
How to avoid eating meat when traveling
It can be hard to find vegan food when traveling, but it is possible. Although sticking to a strict vegan diet can be challenging, it is possible if you are prepared and know what to look for.
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If you are a strict vegan, it is best to pack food that you can eat. Some of the most popular foods to bring include chickpeas, lentils, tofu and nuts.
You can also find vegan food at some restaurants. However, if you are at a restaurant that doesn’t have anything labeled “vegan” on the menu, it is usually a good idea to ask the waitstaff if they have anything that is suitable for vegans.
Maintaining a vegan diet in the US, UK, and Canada
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada are three of the most common places for travelers to visit. This is because there are some of the most diverse cuisines available in these three locations.
Vegan-friendly foods abroad
There are plenty of vegan-friendly options in countries all over the world, but it’s important to be mindful of the most popular vegan cuisine in your destination country. For example, in Thailand, you’ll find delicious vegan dishes in a variety of cuisines, such as Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese.
Although each country has a different food culture and cuisine, they all offer their own versions of vegan cuisine. There are many different items to try in the US, UK, or Canada, but here are 5 tasty vegan dishes that you can find in different countries:
- “Vada pav” – India
Vada pav is one of the most popular vegan foods found in India. It is a savory snack that consists of a potato patty, surrounded by a fluffy bun. - “Gado-gado” – Indonesia
Gado-gado is the Indonesian version of vegetarian food. It is similar to the American dish called “macaroni and cheese” because it consists of noodles, grilled tofu, and vegetables. - “Chana masala” – India
Chana masala is one of the most popular dishes to order when visiting an Indian restaurant. It is a mixture of roasted chickpeas and tomatoes. - “Khao soi” – Thailand
Khao soi is a popular vegan dish in Thailand that consists of curried noodles and tofu. - “Vegetarian sampler” – USA
This tasty vegan dish can be found in many restaurants in the United States. It usually consists of spaghetti, falafel, pita bread and hummus.
Conclusion.
For those looking to explore the world as a vegan, the vegan travel checklist is a must-have. It is packed with vegan resources, tips, and tricks to make your vegan travels as enjoyable as they can be. It also includes a list of vegan-friendly hotels and restaurants. So, if you are vegan and looking to travel, make sure you have the vegan travel checklist with you. It is a great resource to have!
