One of the most challenging times to adhere to a vegan diet is when traveling. As a vegan, you probably love your kitchen. It’s where all of the magic happens! But when you are on the road, you are forced to take meals in places that are distinctly not your vegan-friendly heaven of a kitchen. However, traveling as a vegan can be a breeze, if you know the right rules to stick to. Enjoy your travel experiences fully by sticking to these four rules.
Feel No Guilt
One of the biggest problems I’ve seen fellow travelers face as they attempt to stick to any particular diet program is guilt for being different. They know what works for their bodies, yet they feel bad causing a ripple in other people’s travel plans. When you travel, you often work in groups. Don’t feel guilty about making your diet known! It will open up other people’s eyes to the possibilities of what they can do for their diets, and how they can take charge of their health. If you get over this one mental block, you will feel so much better about asserting your needs. Let your guilt block go!
Be Prepared
When you travel as a vegan, you are going to have to think ahead. Pack Lara bars, mixed nuts, fresh fruit, and other snacks, so that you can keep your eating program on track. Those who do not eat a vegan diet might eat somewhat irregularly, and have heavy meals once in a while that fill them up for hours. As a vegan, you know the importance of keeping your blood sugar levels stable and eating when your body needs food. That might not be the same time as others, and if you are solo traveling, it might not be at a time where healthy food is accessible. So prepare ahead of time depending on what journey you are embarking on so that you can avoid blood sugar crashes that lead to unhealthy (and possibly un-vegan choices).
Decide and Affirm
Another pitfall I see others fall into is a trap of thinking “I’ll just eat this kind of food while I’m traveling, and then when I get home I’ll be back to being vegan.” I had a friend who was traveling to New York with her boyfriend, and spoke for months beforehand about how she wanted to eat pizza, but only while they were in New York because it would make the trip more fun. Don’t fall into this trap! Many people use food as an escape mechanism, thinking that gorging on unhealthy foods will constitute a “fun time.” This is not true. What feels fun to me is having a healthy body, and feeling great after my meals. Think about what is “fun” for you, and then affirm it ahead of time and often on your trip. This way you won’t get brainwashed by others around you who are using food as an emotional crutch.
Research Vegan Restaurants
Look into your destination ahead of time, and find a restaurant that looks great to you. If you are traveling with friends and family who aren’t open to having a vegan meal with you, go on your own. Vegan restaurants are such magical, exciting places to be in. The energy of the room is high, and you won’t want to miss it. Treat yourself! Eating out is a part of the fun of traveling, and a great way to experience a new place.
Eating Vegan can be as exciting as eating regular meals. Don’t be afraid to try new things and enjoy the different vegetables seasonally available to you no matter where you travel to.
About the Author
Mark Alvarado is a graphic designer who travels the world with an artists’ eye. He grew up with a father who traveled often, and a mother who appreciated art. He continues to learn and grow, and share his experiences with others.
