9 Tips for Travelling Plant Based or Vegan

With the huge variety of plant based products on offer and the growing acceptability of alternative dietary choices, being plant based has never been so easy. That’s not to say it’s always plain sailing – travelling on a plant based diet can sometimes still be challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this list of tips for travelling on a plant based or vegan diet.

On the whole, as a couple we are largely vegan, and our experience has been super positive. We’ve not experienced any of the horror stories of stray chicken you read about, and most eateries are eager to find a workaround!

It’s true that in addition to the added difficulty when travelling, being vegan or plant based can mean that you miss out on some food related cultural experiences.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! On top of the good karma points and the reduced environmental impact, plant based food is generally cheaper. You’re also far less likely to be hit by food poisoning. Sounds like a winner to me!

So let’s tuck in (sorry, I couldn’t help myself!) – Here are our 9 tips for travelling the world on a plant based or vegan diet:

Some articles in my blog contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through these links I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which helps support this blog. You can find more information about this in my Privacy Policy.

 

PLAN AHEAD FOR MORE PLANT BASED OPTIONS

Whether you’re a vegan junk food fiend or a green vegan goddess, a little planning ahead of time can unearth some gastronomic gems. So do some research before your trip! Most of the time you’ll find that someone has done the hard work for you, and a quick google search will produce either great local food blogs or even better a super helpful vlog on YouTube.

Beyond that, HappyCow is a great way to find both restaurants and store that cater to alternative dietary needs. Similarly, review sites such as Tripadvisor and Yelp allow you to filter reviews using keywords such as ‘vegan’, ‘vegetarian’, or ‘plant based’.

Having done our research ahead of time, we usually make a list or map (using google mymaps) of all the options available, and if I can to avoid disappointment I make reservations.

Last couple of points on planning. First one is, weary of restaurants that  have ‘vegan option’! Make sure this isn’t just chips or salad. And finally, if you find a gem for the love of all that is tofu let the rest of us know by leaving a cracking review!

 

BE PREPARED

This is always the case, but particularly where the food is very different or if there’s a language barrier.

Get to know the local food and dishes. What is likely to be ok for you to eat? Can easily be adapted? Are there ingredients you should be on the lookout for which would make the dish unsuitable? For example, are the chips cooked in vegetable or animal fat.

In case of a language barrier, either learn some key phrase, keep google translate handy, or have some pre-prepared cards/notes (physical or electronic). Phrases like ‘I am vegan’ or ‘I don’t eat meat or dairy’ in the local language to give to the serving staff are really useful.

 

GIVE ADVANCE WARNING OF YOUR PLANT BASED NEEDS

Giving businesses a heads up can really make a difference to your experience.

When I’ve called restaurants in the past, not only have they been super helpful but most of the time have gone further by offering to make something to order with advance warning. Restaurants can plan for your needs if they know ahead of time about your visit.

Similarly, a quick phone call to your hotel can ensure that breakfast options are available in the morning, and alternative milk is provided with your in room tea and coffee facilities.

 

GET CREATIVE WITH MENU OPTIONS

Don’t assume that you have to stick to what is on the menu. 9 times out of 10 establishments will be flexible about tweaking a dish to suit your dietary needs.

Ask the serving staff whether the kitchen would be open to making some changes to a specific dish. Or perhaps if nothing is suitable, throw together some ingredients already on the menu.

If you approach with grace and curiosity, you’d be surprised how accommodating people are willing to be.

 

RETHINK YOUR ACCOMMODATION TYPE

If having done your research about establishments in the local area and the local cuisine you think it’s likely to be problematic, consider accommodation which gives you the flexibility to prepare your own food.

Preparing some or all of your meals can also be a money saver as although the accommodation might be slightly more expensive. This is balanced against the money you save on eating out. It can be particularly helpful in countries where eating out is quite expensive – we did this recently in Switzerland.

Again, planning is key here. Make a list of go to meals that you can prepare quite easily with limited facilities. And remember a little garlic and onion powder is a great and cheap way to ramp up the yum factor!

 

PICK UP VEGAN ON THE GO FOOD

This one is self explanatory and again is likely to save money. Most supermarkets have delicious plant based sandwiches or salads that you can pick up at the start of your day. That way you don’t have to worry about wasting time finding something during the rush. If none of the pre-packed options take your fancy, consider fruit or bite-sized veggies.

 

 

Also think about investing in a travel cutlery set and food box if you think this is going to be your go to option. Amazon have lots of eco-friendly options, the set pictured above is reusable and plastic free. Just make sure they are hand luggage friendly if you’re travelling little.

 

TRAVEL WITH A PLANT BASED STASH

This one is a tip that every vegan is familiar with, especially when first starting out. Always have plant based snacks in your bag just in case.

Great options that come to mind include trail mix, fruit, power bars, protein balls. Don’t be frightened to make your own either. I make a mean chocolate and orange protein ball, and the best part is there’s no preservatives!

When travelling abroad, especially to more exotic destinations, make sure to include your chosen snack on your packing list. If you’re anything like me they’ll be next to the teabags!

 

DON’T WORRY, BE ADVENTUROUS

There are really two alternatives here. Either you choose to be adventurous, plan ahead, and in the end see some amazing places. Or, you stick to what is safe, always have options, but never really get off the beaten track. I know which one I prefer,  but only you can decide what you feel comfortable with.

The way I see it, the worst that can happen is that you have to settle for a massive bowl of chips or plain rice! So be willing to explore and try new things.

 

DON’T SWEAT THE SLIPS WHEN TRAVELLING PLANT BASED OR VEGAN

I was given this advice when I first went vegan, and I definitely think it applies in the case of travel. Take it from me, you are 100% going to have a slip up and accidentally eat something with milk or eggs or butter, and that’s ok! All you need to remember is that it wasn’t your intention and that you will learn from that experience. The world doesn’t need thousands of perfect vegans! It needs millions of vegans and plant based eaters doing their best for their health, the environment, and above all in the name of compassion.

Now we’d really love to hear from you! What are your tips for travelling on a plant based or vegan diet? Let us know in the comments below or feel free to contact us!

Like this post? PIN IT!