Being away from home can make business travel and vacation and stressful for anyone whose trying to east healthy. This is particularly for new vegans who are still trying to adjust to a diet without animal products but may have fewer alternatives than usual. Here are some tips for vegan traveler.
- Research the local foods in the country or state you are planning on visiting. Different countries and different areas of the states favor one food type over another. Be prepared in advance to know what is coming around the corner.
- Learn food names in the local language; know the names of foods you cannot eat. Many restaurants are willing to make something.
- Always carry vegan snacks along when traveling, dried fruit, nuts, hummus with crackers, granola bars or fresh fruit with peanut butter, that is nutritious and vegan. People who are vegan snack more frequently as their diet is lower in fat. Sometimes vegan foods cannot be found when traveling, so it's always good to have a snack around.
- Look for fruit markets. Thicker skinned fruits and vegetables are the best to eat, peeling them with your own knife to avoid contaminants. Most fruits and vegetables are in open-air stands with many hands touching the food and insects. Buying early in the morning is the best time before too many customers begin shopping.
- Be careful of soups or exotic dishes when traveling abroad or in unknown restaurants. Soups labeled with natural flavors are usually made from meat sources, such as chicken, mutton, beef or mixed meat stock. Countries like India offer many vegan dishes, but other countries have meat or fish in most of their dishes. Learn to say "I do not eat meat" in their language or write it out on a card.
- Lastly, learn to ask about menu changes. If restaurants or diners do not have meatless items on their menu, simply ask if they will prepare a meatless patty or meatless salad for you. Things are tight all over the world, and most businesses will work for customers to make them happy.
Here are the things you should prepare and remember when you decide to travel. It is important to be always prepared to avoid hassle and problems that can ruin your diet.