If you have recently turned vegan or are considering it, congratulations! It is a great way to give back to the planet, as veganism is not only good for your health and well-being but also supports an eco-friendly lifestyle.
A study by the University of Oxford has found that being vegan is the single best way to reduce your environmental impact, as cutting down on meat and dairy can reduce your dietary carbon footprint by about 73%.
A study by the University of Oxford has found that being vegan is the single best way to reduce your environmental impact, as cutting down on meat and dairy can reduce your dietary carbon footprint by about 73%.
But we do understand if being vegan gets a tad difficult when you’ve got those big travel plans on your list. ‘What will I eat?’, and ‘How will I sustain my vegan diet?’ are some of the nagging questions that may get in the way of your decision-making.
But does that mean long getaways and those faraway places on your bucket list are out? Not at all! When approached with practicality, staying vegan in any part of the world is not as hard as it seems. So, we’ve put together a list of things you can keep in mind when planning your next big trip:
1. Read, Research and Plan Ahead
The good news is that staying vegan when you travel abroad is a lot easier than it seems. Today, there are about 79 million vegans in the world and the number is growing! This has made vegan food a lot more available and accessible everywhere. In fact, according to the Good Food Institute, the sales of plant-based foods grew three times faster than overall food sales in 2021!
And if you’re travelling within India, practising veganism is a breeze as you will find plenty of default vegan meals to choose from within the local cuisines of most regions! But more on that a little later.
So first things first, take into account these questions-
Are you travelling to someplace local or heading abroad? Are you making a short trip or a long one? Are you travelling on a budget or looking to splurge? Asking these questions will help you plan.
- If you’re taking a short vacation somewhere close by, pack some dry snacks you can munch on and do a quick search on Google, Zomato etc of the kind of restaurants you’ll find there. Preview the menu and shortlist suitable places, or if you’re planning to enjoy the local delicacies, look at Indian meals that don’t contain dairy or meat! These should be easy finds! For example- You can rely on simple meals like dal-rice, idli-dosa, pani puri, bhel and even parathas without ghee or butter!
- Other than looking for vegan-friendly restaurants, you can try looking for places that serve multi-cuisine foods. This way, you are likely to find something deliciously vegan on the menu and identify familiar foods that you’re comfortable with. Some restaurants also accommodate your request to customise dishes and serve up a vegan version. Ask the chef if that is possible.
- If your travel includes multiple international locations, then do an extra bit of research to find vegan restaurants, cafes and local plant-based stores. You can also learn about the local cuisine and identify any naturally vegan options.
Pro-Tip: Speak to friends and family who may have visited these places for tried and tested suggestions. Additionally, if you have family, friends or acquaintances based abroad, it’s always a good idea to run your plans by them, and take their suggestions into account! You can also rely on travel blogs and YouTube channels that may have recommendations for you.
- Lastly, remember to check the average costs of all the restaurants you look up. While domestically, you may find vegan options at all kinds of restaurants, some cafes abroad cater specifically to vegan and organic eaters and may end up charging a lot more than usual fast food joints. This crucial step will help you plan your meal costs and ensure you don’t exceed your budget.
Pro-Tip: When flying internationally, make sure to pre-book your in-flight vegan meals and also speak to your hotel in advance, to see if they can cater to your vegan meal requirements.
2. Snacks Are The Way To Go!
If you’re new to the vegan lifestyle and tend to find it confusing to analyse a menu, snacks will save the day during your travels!
Owing to your dietary preferences, it’s always a good idea to have your backpack loaded with quick snacks like nuts, seeds, biscuits and protein bars. If you’re the adventurous sort and plan on spending your days out and about, these will keep you fueled up through the day!
However, the packaging waste and litter these snacks leave behind may nag your conscience. So, make it a point to carry your snacks in reusable boxes or mini tiffin boxes. This way, you can rely on refills from a local store instead of buying packaged foods. In many countries, you’ll often find ‘bulk’ supermarkets that let you measure and pack nuts and candies in your refillable boxes. They also allow you the option to pay by quantity, so you are not left with food waste or unnecessary expenses. Locally, you can always stop by a food stall or cafe and get your snacks packed as well!
With so much to do and so much to see, you may not always have the time to sit down and enjoy a full-blown meal at a cute Instagram-worthy vegan cafe. On such days, go for easy, dairy-free smoothies when you are short on time. They are delicious, filling and high in nutrition too! Most non-vegan cafes too are now loaded with alternatives like almond, oat and soy milk so it’s not likely that you’ll have to go hungry for a long spell!
Within India, it’s easy to spot a coconut cart, a fresh juice, tea and coffee stall almost everywhere you go. Keep an eye out for these and support local businesses in return.
Pro-tip: Always remember to carry a reusable/refillable bottle or a steel tumbler and a reusable straw in your backpack, so that you don’t have to choose takeaway cups or plastic cutlery! This will also allow you to carry back some extra coffee or juices along with those refilled snacks
You will find all the sustainable travel gear you need, from brands like Bare Necessities, Ksamah, The Bamboo Bae, Tall Mell and OnEarth, to name just a few!
This mindful step will save you from generating excess food waste as well as waste from food packaging and disposables. Besides, it’s a great way to ensure you don’t go hungry on those long city walks or exhausting treks!
3. Scout For Local Plant-Based Stores
With veganism becoming a popular choice for many people within India and abroad, you are bound to find stores that offer a variety of plant-based foods. When travelling within India, chain stores like Adrish Zero-Waste. Foodhall and Nature’s Basket are good bets to find both vegan as well as gluten-free bread, snacks, condiments and more.
Pro-Tip: Travelling with friends and being the only vegan in the group can be challenging. So how about you take one day to treat your group to a hearty vegan meal? For this, you can also pre-order a few ready-to-cook vegan meals online from homegrown brands like Blue Tribe Foods and Imagine Meats. They ship all over India and will reach your Airbnb or rented homestay in no time!
We think your meat-loving gang will enjoy trying something new and also appreciate your effort to include them in your meal planning! Plus, it’s a great way to introduce others to the wonders of vegan food, right?!
Similarly, when travelling abroad, look for speciality stores in malls or even at the airport. For example, if you’re visiting the USA, you’ll find a Whole Foods Market almost everywhere. They stock up on plenty of organic and vegan food varieties and even have their food court in the store!
Veganz is Europe’s first and largest vegan grocery chain store, present across Eastern Europe, the UK and even some parts of the United States. Remember to do a quick Google search to find the most relevant stores based on your travel destination.
4. Explore! Explore! Explore!
If your travels take you to a location that does not have too many vegan-focused eateries, or if you find yourself in a predominantly meat-loving nation, we recommend you hit a local farmer’s market to get your hands on some fresh fruits and veggies. There are several reasons why this can be the solace you need:
- Farmer’s markets everywhere are all about organic, local foods. Here, you’re more likely to consume fresh, seasonal foods and find the vegan alternatives you crave! Bonus: This will also help reduce your carbon footprint!
- You will often find stalls of cooked food at such markets. From fresh juice stalls to carts of healthy homemade snacks, a farmers’ market is your friend in need. Besides, it’s a great way to learn more about the local cuisine of a place and identify the things you can include in your diet!
5. Stay Armed with Resources
Staying vegan does not mean you need to miss out on any of the fun or starve your way through a holiday! All you need are a few smart resources to start travelling like a pro.
- Before you jet-set-go, take a moment to download and explore the Happy Cow app or website. It’s designed to help you find vegan-friendly restaurants in any part of the world! Besides giving you valid suggestions, it also helps you locate these places on the map. Thank Goodness for technology, right?!
- Another must-have resource is the Vegan Passport app. Available on both, the Android Play Store and Apple’s iOS app store, this app not only helps you find vegan restaurants around the world but also help you learn vegan phrases in multiple languages! This makes it easy for you to communicate and ask for what you’d like to eat, without worrying about being stuck with the wrong foods. Additionally, it also has pictures you can show when words aren’t doing the trick!
- Yelp is another great website/app to find restaurants that serve and deliver vegan food in most large international destinations.
Source: The Vegan Society
If you would like to take a step ahead and learn more about travelling sustainably, read our easy guide here! Any lifestyle change seems like a major transition at first, so it is understandable if the idea of travelling and adhering to your preferences seems like a daunting task. Rest assured, with just a little will and effort, you can stay true to your vegan values wherever you go, and have the best vacation ever!
