Quick Synopsis
Upcoming trip? Your healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to go by the wayside when you’re on the go. We’ve got 9 tips for keeping your whole food plant-based diet while traveling.
Full Story
You’ve changed the way you eat and live and you’re feeling great. But if you’re new to a whole food plant-based lifestyle and planning a vacation, you may worry about sticking with your healthy lifestyle while on the road. The good news is there are tons of whole food plant-based and vegan travelers, traipsing the globe and eating plants all the while -- and you can join their ranks with a little preparation.
How to keep your whole food plant-based diet while traveling
1. Research!
Some cities are more plant-based friendly than others. Suss out your vegan traveling options by studying up before you take off. You can search for vegan and whole food plant-based restaurants on Yelp. HappyCow is also a great resource — it’s a directory of veg-friendly and vegan restaurants across the world, with loads of reviews from plant-based eaters.
You can also seek out vegan travel food advice from plant-based locals online.
Find state-specific Facebook groups for vegans or those following a whole food plant-based lifestyle. Post a specific question or use the search feature in the Facebook group to look up topics. These groups have a ton of great tips on being vegan while traveling and are an excellent way to discover some hidden plant-based gems.
2. Use Instagram hashtags
Hashtags are a great tool for the vegan traveler. Search hashtags on Instagram to find whole food plant-based and vegan dining wherever you go. Just go to “Search” in the Instagram App and try searching for revenant hashtags.
Headed to Paris? Try looking up #VeganParis or #VegetarianParis or #PlantBasedParis and click on some of the posts from your search results to see if any veg-friendly locations are tagged or mentioned.
3. Know your airport vegan food options
Don’t get stuck in the airport with nothing to eat! This vegan airport guide outlines options for plant-based eats at some of the major US airports. Score!
Keep in mind, while many of the larger airports have vegan options these days, they don’t always have healthy whole food plant-based vegan options. And airplane food, vegan or not, has earned its reputation for being less than tasty.
No worries, we’ve got some ideas for your flight...
First, eat before you go to the airport! Make a huge smoothie, like this creamy vegan green smoothie, loaded with anti-inflammatory greens and protein-packed peanut butter to keep you full and happy all morning long.
Second, pack lunch or dinner. You can bring prepared food to the airport AND on the plane, though liquids will get taken at security. Pack a meal that travels well and can be stored in one container, like veggie stir-fry or pasta or a salad (but wait to dress the salad until you’re ready to eat to avoid soggy greens).
And while we’re on the topic of bringing your own food…
4. Pack lots of whole food plant-based vegan snacks!
This is crucial for vegan travel! The best way to prevent yourself from eating unhealthy foods? Don’t let yourself get hungry -- pack and eat lots of healthy snacks while you’re on the go.
Our favorite whole food plant-based travel snacks include:
- Raw nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or cashews
- Unsalted and sugar-free trail mix
- Dried and fresh fruit that travels well, like dates, dried apricots, apples and clementines (bananas may get smooshed)
- Celery sticks and peanut butter
- Sugar snap peas
- Carrot sticks and hummus
- MamaSezz Gram’s Granola
- Lara Bars
5. Learn to order whole food plant-based meals at non-vegan restaurants.
When you traveling with others you may not always find yourself at a vegan restaurant, Avoid going to bed on an empty stomach and learn how to order whole food plant-based meals at any restaurant with these tips:
- Look up the menu online before you head to the restaurant to see if they have any vegan meals. Even if they don’t, seeing the menu before you arrive will help you assess if you can piece together a meal which will make the ordering process easier on you and your server.
- Be on the lookout for the words: ”steamed” "baked" and “grilled.” These typically mean the dishes aren’t fried. Then before you order, you can ask about any hidden oil or animal fats.
- Always be nice! Your server may be clueless to what a vegan or whole food plant-based diet really is. Don’t get stressed, though! You’ve got this -- just remember that a smile goes a long way when asking for something off the menu!
Get more whole food plant-based restaurant tips here.
6. Learn how to ask for what you want in foreign languages
If you’re going someplace where English is not the first language, learning a few helpful vegan phrases in that country’s language can make ordering food easier.
Vegan phrases to pick up:
- Fat (to help you avoid items that have been cooked in it) Dairy
- Eggs
- Vegan and/or “I am vegan”
- Vegetarian
- Meat
7. Bring or purchase condiments, if possible
Some countries or cities will have tons of whole food plant-based options, others will not. Chances are you’ll eat a few plain vegan meals during your travels, i.e. a baked potato and some steamed broccoli. Pro tip: spice things up with your own condiments, like a bottle of low-sodium Tarmari or another oil-free sauce.
8. Get yourself a kitchen
Book a place with a kitchen so you can prepare your own food!
Look for hotels with kitchenette options. Or check out homes and apartments on vacation rental sites like AirBnB and HomeAway.
Can’t find a place with a kitchen? Get MamaSezz! We’ll deliver prepared whole food plant-based meals anywhere in the continental US -- even your hotel!
9. Don’t beat yourself up
There may be a time where cheese comes on your salad or veggies are cooked in animal fat and you just eat it because you’re hungry, run down, or feeling weird about sending it back. Don’t lose sleep over it.
Eating this way is supposed to help you live and feel better, not stress you out over being “perfect.” Try to find a more veg-friendly option for your next outing and enjoy your trip.
Key Takeaways
Eat healthy, wherever you roam, by following these whole food plant-based travel tips:
- Research local restaurants ahead of time
- Use Instagram hashtags to locate veg-friendly spots
- Identify vegan options in the airport
- Pack loads of vegan snacks
- Learn how to order whole food plant-based meals at any restaurant
- Pick up a few key “vegan” phrases in foreign languages
- Bring condiments
- Stay somewhere with a kitchen
- Cut yourself some slack
About MamaSezz
MamaSezz is the leading whole food plant-based prepared meal delivery company in the U.S. We make it easier for you to be your healthiest self by delivering hearty, fresh, ready to eat whole food plant-based meals with no B.S. (you know, Bad Stuff) right to your door.
Skeptical. I was definitely skeptical but I am very happy to say I ended being delightfully surprised! Being the only member of my household trying WFPBNO I wanted to try a service that delivered fresh, unfrozen meals that I could easily warm up and eat. Well, this was it. Let me first say that the Lazy Lasagna was terrific! My husband even said, “What’s that - it smells really good.” It’s mine buddy back off! Lol. Seriously though, the Mac Attack, Lasagna, everything was awesome. Definitely, recommend and am going to be a repeat customer. Thank you! [Michele Gouveia Allen, MamaSezz Customer]