How to Travel Abroad as a Vegetarian

Traveling abroad can be a challenge for a vegetarian. While some cultures are very veggie friendly, others are primarily meat-eating, and finding food can be difficult.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Local Guidebooks
• Travel Books
• Cups

1. Research before you go. Buy travel books, read Web sites, obtain travel brochures. Learn about the country you are about to visit.

2. Buy a pocket language dictionary. Make sure it has a listing for common foods that you may find in a local restaurant.

3. Contact local vegetarian societies once you arrive at your destination. Many countries have them, and they can help you find veg-friendly establishments.

4. Ask around. Ask other vegetarians for tips on their experiences in a certain country. Ask veggie support groups. Put up notices on bulletin boards before you leave for your trip.

5. Be creative. If there's nothing on the menu, order a few side dishes. Ask for the potatoes, salad and stewed beets, for example. Create your own meals.

6. Buy food at local markets. Make up your own sandwiches. Buy bread, veggies and a bottle of water and have a picnic at the park.

7. Bring your own supplies, such as utensils, cups, etc., along with you on your trip. You will then be prepared for picnics and other make-your-own meals.

8. Be flexible. If you are going to Paris, you will find all the veggie food you want. But if you are going to Mongolia, the choices may be quite slim. You may have to alter your eating habits if you wish to eat. For example, if you are a strict vegan, you may have to eat cheese or drink milk, as nothing else may be available.

9. Choose your vacations wisely. If you are a strict vegan, you may have to forgo certain types of trips, such as rugged expeditions that allow for limited provisions.

10. Alert hosts in advance. If you are going to be a guest overseas, such as an exchange student, let the host or organization know you are a vegetarian. They will be able to accommodate you better once you arrive.

11. Book a trip with a tour operator that specializes in vegetarian travel. There are many operating now. Ask a travel agent, or check with vegetarian resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Wherever you go, you will be able to eat vegetarian the majority of the time. Advance planning will help avoid problems. So will being flexible if you are traveling in parts of the world where food choices are very limited.

on 11/22/2005 Pick high protein meals at supermarkets and natural health food stores if you're traveling off the beaten track. You'll be able to order (hopefully) all-vegetable based dishes and then have the bar as a between meal snack. Also, if you have access to a kitchen, pack a container of protein powder. Most powders can be added easily to prepared foods, or scoop some into your bottled juice for a healthy smoothie supplement. Peanut butter is a last ditch alternative since it's very high in fat. These snacks saved my health while working abroad for months in areas where everything got cooked with animal products, even though my hosts politely didn't wish to tell me so.

on 11/22/2005 We traveled for a month in China. My vegetarian daughter carried a large jar of peanut butter and some hearty crackers. Veggies were not a problem to get, but protein was. She supplemented her diet with the peanut butter and vitamins.

on 11/22/2005 My sister spent a semester in Spain when she was in high school. Her host family assured her that a dish had no meat, but later she found out (after she'd eaten it!) that it had blood in it. Just saying you don't eat meat might not be enough!

on 11/22/2005 If you are touring with a group with a set itinerary and know where you will be eating, you can call ahead to the restaurant and request a vegetarian meal. Most restaraunts will be happy to accomodate you.