Vegans can achieve good eating while traveling with the right preparation.
Preparing for travel can be quite a chore, but traveling as a vegan presents even more of a challenge. Many restaurants offer vegetarian and meatless dishes, but as a true vegan does not partake of any animal-related products, she must prepare herself for any situation that make arise during her travels.
Airline Travel
Most in-flight meals are not vegan-friendly.
If your flight offers an in-flight meal, check if they offer any vegan-friendly dishes. If they do not, eat a sufficient meal prior to take-off or find a vegan-friendly snack from the airport's food court. Many airports do not allow food from outside the airport to be brought into the terminal; however, they may accept prepackaged trail mixes and dried fruit. If airport security asks you to dispose of it before you board, you have not suffered a major loss.
Road Travel
Nuts and seeds can form a vegan's most convenient and tasty source of protein on the road.
If you are traveling by car or bus, prepare a cooler of your favorite sandwiches, fresh organic fruit or some vegan jerky since many roadside diners or rest-stops may not offer vegan-friendly dishes. If you must stop for a meal, try to find a restaurant without straying too far off your route that can accommodate your preferences. If finding a vegan restaurant is impossible, ask the restaurant if you can bring in an outside source of protein to pair with the vegetable dishes they offer. Since many restaurants cook their vegetables using a meat-based broth or stock, request they steam or cook your vegetables in a vegetable-based stock.
Hotels and Accommodations
Carefully investigate the dining options at your hotel prior to departure. Ask if they will work with you to create dishes that are not on their standard room service menu. Many hotel rooms will provide a coffee pot, microwave and small fridge for guests, which you can use for boiling water for vegan soups, cooking frozen dishes and storing fresh fruit and veggies. Bring your own electronic hotplate for additional cooking needs. If accommodation options are limited, investigate the surrounding area's restaurants and their options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plan out your meals ahead of time to eliminate last-minute scrambling for a meal.
Shopping
Eating out may not always be an option, depending on where you are traveling. Ultimately, shopping for your own groceries is likely your best option for most vegans for both cost and healthy eating considerations. Before you leave, investigate your destination's local grocers and markets to find out the most viable offerings. Stores such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods often carry a variety of vegan products at more affordable prices than the average big box retail grocer. Many of the products carried at these stores are organic and pesticide- and hormone-free. Alternatively, find local farmers' markets on your route. Try to rent a room with a kitchenette for cooking and storing food.
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