1. Find a local market right away.
Upon arrival in an unfamiliar country, do not waste time looking for a local fruit and vegetable market. In the market, everything is usually half the price than in supermarkets, and much fresher. With your purchase, you will support local farmers and spend a minimum of money on fresh products.
In addition, in the market you will surely find not only farm products, but also vegetarian and vegan dishes for sale at the lowest prices. Very often they cook them right in front of you. So, for example, in the street market in Laos you can buy vegan coconut “pancakes” – piping hot, grilled, wrapped in banana leaves! And at a street market in Thailand, for just $1 you get a fruit salad or a vegetarian (a local vegetable dish based on rice noodles).
2. Take a compact smoothie blender with you.
These devices are often very inexpensive. They won’t take up much space in your suitcase or even your backpack. If you have access to electricity while traveling, you should take such a blender with you!
Buy fresh vegetables and herbs as soon as you arrive, and prepare a wonderful smoothie in your room without delay. It is best if you can rent a room with a kitchen: these are often offered, for example, in hostels. Then you can buy a lot of products on the market, fill the refrigerator with them, and the problem of fresh vegan food will actually be solved.
3. Find non-perishable, familiar food. Surely there will still be situations when it will be difficult for you to find fresh vegan food. In some countries, this is especially stressful, because. veganism is not accepted in the local culture. Elsewhere, vegan options are still available, but they are not very attractive: for example, in Vietnam, sometimes the only choice for a vegan may be … a whole plate of water spinach (“morningglory”) … In some countries, a completely different alphabet (for example, in Cambodia, Thailand, Bulgaria – – approx. Vegetarian), and the names of dishes can confuse you. In both cases, there is a way out: immediately find a fruit and vegetable market or a large supermarket and look for familiar nuts, seeds, dried fruits there. Such things can be found even in the most exotic countries, including those sold by weight. They are also good because they do not deteriorate for a long time, and will not be damaged in a backpack with other things.
4. Take superfoods from home. You can always find some space in your backpack (and even more so in your suitcase!) for a small bag of dried superfoods. Before your flight, go to your favorite vegan store and stock up on goodies for the trip. Foods such as chia seeds or dried goji berries are highly recommended as they do not spoil for a very long time, they do not need to be stored in the refrigerator, and they give a quick feeling of satiety. But the main thing, of course, is that even a small amount of such products contains a huge amount of useful substances.
5. Buy a B12 supplement. Vegans should always remember the importance of vitamin B12. This critical health ingredient is found in very few foods. And its lack in the body can lead to serious diseases of the nervous system. So don’t go on the road without it!
You can immediately buy a large can of B12 and take it on a trip with a meal. In order not to make a mistake in the dosage, it is worth purchasing a special travel box-dispenser for tablets. Remember to drink enough water throughout the day, because. This vitamin is water soluble.
6. Do a little research. Even in the most remote corners of the world, the Internet helps to find where you can eat tasty and healthy. Of course, we recommend our website () first of all as a starting point for such research.
Even a simple Internet search using the city name of your next stop, plus the word “vegan” or “vegetarian” yields amazing results. It is also helpful to look at online travel forums, e-books, and guides for the destination country before you travel.
7. Learn a few key phrases. If you are going to an unfamiliar country, it is always good to learn a few key phrases – this will really help you get comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. The locals will absolutely love that you know a little of their language.
In addition to the must-have phrases like “thank you,” “please,” and “goodbye,” it’s worth learning some food-related expressions. So you can quickly learn how to say the phrase “I’m a vegetarian” in 15 different languages!
In many countries, there is simply no such word in the language – in this case, it helps to prepare in advance a card with the names of dishes that you will definitely not to taste, written in the local language. This becomes especially important if you are allergic to certain foods. For example, in Argentina – even if you don’t speak a word of Spanish – you can show a card in a restaurant that says something like this: “Look, I’m a vegan. This means that I do not eat meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products, honey, and in general all products that are obtained from animals. Thanks for understanding!”.
In Spanish it would be: “”. Such a card will save you time and nerves, as well as make it easier for the waiter who will serve you, and eliminate the need for attempts to explain in an unfamiliar language.
Even if you apply at least one of the above tips, your trip – whether to the other side of the earth or just to another city – will become noticeably more enjoyable. These tips really help you stay on track and keep your healthy vegan diet going while you travel.
By the way, some of these tips can be applied … at home! It is not necessary to travel to another country to go to a large fruit and vegetable market, or to buy superfoods (which do not spoil for a long, long time!) for the future.