Being a vegan has never been so easily accessible – at least that’s the case for me in England. Over the last few years, there’s been a huge surge in veganism which has contributed to hundreds of brands expanding their products to be more vegan-inclusive. Supermarkets here have dedicated isles for plant ranges which makes food shopping a dream. Granted a lot of countries are also keeping up with the rising demand for veganism, but there is still lots of room for improvement.
In 2019 I visited Portugal with my boyfriend and his family. Being a fairly new vegan, this was the first time I had experienced the difficulties vegans can face while away from home comforts. We were traveling out of season and in some of the more remote areas where it seemed that veganism wasn’t very popular. Between that and the language barrier, it made meal times pretty difficult. In one restaurant I was offered a calzone that contained only tomato sauce and green beans – a lovely effort from the staff, but a comically flat meal as you can imagine! I started to dread going out in the evening for dinner which is normally my favorite time of day! I therefore decided to educate myself so next time I would be more prepared.
So I have compiled some of my vegan top tips that have helped me along the way since, and (I hope) can help my fellow vegans next time you’re on the road/traveling. No place is too remote to live a plant-based life!
1) Be prepared
Of course, It depends on where you’re staying and what facilities you have access to, but where you can, it’s great to stock up on some snacks at the local supermarket or farmers market. You can then use your supplies to make packed lunches and snacks to take with you when you go out exploring. Easy buys are bread, crisps, and fruit – things you can just pick up and eat.
Also, make sure you think about protein! I would recommend looking out for some easy staples like nuts, beans, peanut butter, and falafel. You can then make PB sandwiches or falafel wraps for lunches on the go.
Photo by Christian Mackie on Unsplash
2) Pack some of your home favorites
Dependent on travel restrictions you may be able to take some of your favorite staples with you. Dry/long-lasting products can usually come with you even if you are traveling by plane. My personal favorite that I would be lost without is my nutritional yeast! For me, it can improve just about any meal. Other things that may be worth considering are oats, sealed jars of sauces/vegan pesto, maple syrup – basically anything that you love to eat at home and can use to create/improve meals abroad. Always be sure to check first what is and is not allowed before traveling.
3) Go back to basics
Okay, so you may not be able to have that decadent beyond-meat cheeseburger or loaded fries with ‘facon’ but think basics. I’m talking about veg fried rice, bread with olive oil & balsamic, or a nice hearty pasta with tomato sauce and roasted vegetables. Managing your expectations is the easiest way to avoid disappointment.
4) Don’t be afraid to make requests at the restaurant/resort you are at
If there’s nothing on the menu that you think you can eat – make a request! Most dining facilities will be happy to help you have a great dining experience – especially if you are polite and friendly to them. This might include asking to remove items (such as cheese/cream) or sub items in (extra veggies, bread, nuts, etc).
Don’t forget to thank and tip them for their help! As well as showing your gratitude, you are making friendships that may allow you to go back and they know just what you want.
Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash
5) Brush up on your foreign language skills
It is always worth researching how to say ‘I am vegan’ or ‘do you have vegan options?’ in the language of your destination. This will save you the worry of a language barrier that lands you with a distinctly non-vegan dinner and an awkward convo. Google translate can be your best friend!
6) Do your local research before you go
There’s nothing worse than walking around aimlessly looking for somewhere to eat all while you get more and more hangry. Research is key. Utilize vegan blogs, Instagram pages, and websites to find local vegan hotspots. Happy Cow is my go-to and allows you to search any town/city for the best plant-based spots. This includes both fully vegan establishments and restaurants that offer vegan options. Happy Cow is both a website and an app, and you’ll find a whole host of great vegan top tips here.
7) Make local connections
See if you can connect to local vegans (Facebook pages, couch surfing, Instagram) for personalized local recommendations. This is also a great way to make new like-minded friends in the area!
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
8) Don’t beat yourself up
We’ve all made mistakes and eaten something we later found out wasn’t vegan. I know it can be a sinking feeling, particularly when you feel it was out of your control. Making mistakes is okay, be kind to yourself and take it as a learning experience.
I hope these few vegan top tips help your next travel adventure be a little more stress-free, and remind you that with a bit of research and advance planning, you can be vegan anywhere! I would love to hear your own stories and tips in the comments below if anyone would like to share. We can all learn from each other.
Looking for more vegan tips & tricks for travel? Check out these articles…
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