Ok I admit it, I am a huge foodie. Food to me is like air without oxygen. AIN’T nobody messing with my food! I take my food seriously lol and I am very picky with what I eat. But it can be hard to find what you’re used to eating when you are traveling. Food is part of the cultural experience; I try to aim for local dishes whenever I can. My food experience can either better my trip or make me wish I was home instead.

As you might already know, I follow a Whole Foods Plant Based diet (WFPB). I turned vegan 2.5 years ago and there is no going back because I love how I feel. Although, Jon and I found some challenges at first to eat vegan abroad but we learned few tricks and tips along the way that helped us tremendously when we’re traveling.

Tip #1 Email The Hotel Ahead Of Time

If you’re going to stay at a hotel or place that will provide meals for you, try emailing them before you check in. I can’t recommend this enough, this small step has been proven effective. Draft up a generic email to send out every time you travel so you don’t have to write a new one every time. I usually send out an email indicating what we can and can’t eat along with some options for their chef to consider. This method enables the staff to make notes of any allergies and to avoid cross contamination. The hotel staff then would normally forward a copy of my email directly to their head chef, which brings me to tip# 2. 

Tip #2 Speak To The Chef Directly

Almost every hotel we’ve been to, the chefs were more than thrilled to take on the challenge. Upon check-in, we usually ask to speak to one of the chefs in person so he/she can know who we are and have a quick convo about what we would like to eat. During the conversation we make sure to remind them of any allergies and explain what vegan foods include and exclude. Always assume that they don’t know better than assuming that they do know. Trust me I have been there before.

Use the same strategy at any local restaurants. Skip the lengthy talk with the servers and just ask them to speak to the chef directly.

 Tip #3 Bring Your Own Snacks

This tip will save you a wild case of the hangry. Trust me! Bring some dry foods with you from home. I always pack a Ziplock bag full of nuts and energy bars that I make myself at home. If the energy bars need to stay cool, I pop them in the hotel’s fridge right away when we get in but usually, we’re fine flying long distance with them on the airplane. I’ve traveled with dates, crackers, nuts, homemade cookies, cereals, granolas, and even hummus. Yup, we have flown with hummus and carrot sticks in our personal carryon once or twice before lol. That’s how vegans roll. Honestly, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Tip #4 Google Some Vegan Options Nearby

Always look up any plant-based, vegan or vegetarian options that are close to your hotel or in the area you’re staying in. Some countries are vegan-friendly like Thailand and Indonesia and some aren’t like Corsica or Seychelles. But there is ALWAYS an option for you. Most menus will have a dish of rice with steamed veggies, curries, noodles, veggie soup or order pasta or pizza without cheese or meat. Ask for their vegan/vegetarian menu. You can also go to the local market and pick up some fresh produce or simple snacks like nuts or dried fruits. 

Tip #5 Rent a Room With a Kitchenette

Having your own kitchen definitely helps especially if you are on a budget and don’t want to eat out every day. You can grab some of the local veggies, fruits, and grains of your choice (such as oats, quinoa, rice or buckwheat, etc) to whip up a quick meal.

 Tip #6 Use Google Translator

This is a life saver. Please don’t underestimate the power of a translator. It can save you 91 conversations and a lot of headshakes.

Tip #7 Say It’s an Allergy & Offer Alternatives

I learned this the hard way. Often times when you say you’re vegan, it is either not fully understood of what it entails or very uncommon in the area we’re in. I have been to restaurants where I specifically asked for a vegan meal and I was brought a steak instead. I also remember having fish soy and fish byproducts on dishes that aren’t even seafood when we were traveling in Thailand.

If you tell the server it’s an allergy, they take you WAY more seriously especially when it comes to oils. It’s hard to ask for oil-free dishes at restaurants. Oils can be used in generous amounts even at high-end eateries. If you tell them you are sensitive to oils and can’t have meat due to allergies they will cater to your requirements in a much careful way.

Tip #8 Use HappyCow App

 This is an app that helps you determine any vegan-friendly restaurants around your location. I don’t find it very accurate but sometimes it offers helpful suggestions and will tell you if there are non-vegan restaurants that are vegan-friendly to consider.

Be inspired,

MM