How to Gather Vegetarian Food in the Wild

Is it possible to survive in the wild on a vegetarian diet? Sometimes it is a hunt just to find vegetarian friendly food at the grocery store. The staples of the vegetarian diet (fruits and vegetables) have been a part of mankind’s history since the Stone Age. Surviving on a vegetarian diet in the wild is possible only if you know where to look.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Knife
• Sack/packpack
• Guide on edible plants

1. Before venturing out into the wild, do some research. Search websites for lists and descriptions of edible foods in the wild. Specify the search so you get lists of edible food in the area where you will be camping. Purchase a guide on edible plants that has pictures.
2. Eat edible plants that are high in protein. Look for plants in the area such as wild spinach, wild lettuce or seaweed.
3. Observe the squirrels and chipmunks in the woods, because they will show you where you can find nuts. Beechnuts, chestnuts, black walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts, pecans and pine nuts are some examples of edible nuts. Keep a collection of nuts you find in a sack or backpack.
4. Prevent scurvy by eating a dandelion, which is high in vitamin C. These flowers can be eaten raw, but they taste better if cooked over a fire and seasoned. Vitamin C can also be found in a plant called rose hips.
5. Peel back bark from a tree and eat the inner part, which is light brown in color. This provides a source of minerals and is also a sweet treat.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to avoid mushrooms and berries unless you have a reliable guide with detailed pictures. Some edible berries are the bearberry, elderberry, blueberry, high-bush cranberry and serviceberry.