Helpful Suggestions for the Vegetarian Traveller

You may find it challenging to maintain your meat-free diet when you go on overseas trips or holidays as you may find difficulty in securing the kind of food you prefer. However, if you prepare well, you can return home guilt-free and knowledgeable of other dishes that feature only plant-based products.

Consider these hints on keeping yourself truly vegetarian even while on vacation:

• Look up destinations that have herbivorous cuisines

Research for countries that are veritable havens for diners like you, and prioritise them. Many of these also have rich cultures and a considerable number of tourist attractions, especially the Muslim-dominated nations. The likes of Thailand, India, Singapore, Lebanon, Italy, San Francisco and Morocco are some of the excellent examples.

• Check accommodations and restaurants

You can email or call the hotel and airline you plan to lodge at about their menu. You can also find the information you want on their websites. You can also browse through certain online vegan-friendly directories for reference on the dining establishments and stores that offer the kind of dishes and ingredients you prefer.

• Buy or bring your own provisions

This is especially viable if your accommodations have refrigerators as you can keep perishable ingredients or food from spoiling too early and stock up on them. In addition, you will need back-up snacks in case you get stuck with delayed flights or have to be in transit for long periods. You don't need to bring a lot of these, only enough to stave off your hunger temporarily.

• Enquire with other vegetarian travellers

Make use of online forums and get in recommendations from people who are committed to eating meat-free food. You can also post a related message or query on your social networking account as well.

You will also be spared certain dietary troubles in your meals if you specify that you only consume preparations containing vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, do ask for an ingredient list or enquire about the contents of the viands served. Also, check the menu in other establishments because even fast food joints have veggie options. Be prepared to make adjustments or concessions, especially if you are going to a country or region that has limited cuisine due to the culture, as well as the availability of materials, produce and livestock. Just remember that in any case, you will be able to feed yourself and not starve if you are well prepared.