Adapting to a vegan diet is something that comes over time, but even when you think you’ve fully adapted to it, there are times where you’ll encounter hurdles to overcome, particularly when travelling. Being vegan and travelling is a challenge, there’s no doubt about it. Thankfully, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in social awareness about veganism, with more and more businesses offering cruelty-free alternatives, though nevertheless, there is still work to be done. If you have plans to travel soon and are worried about maintaining your vegan lifestyle, we’re sharing some of our best vegan travel hacks.
- Social media is your saving grace
There’s no doubt about it, it can be tricky to find vegan eateries abroad, especially when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. This is where social media comes in, and it could just be your saving grace. You have the option to follow vegan influencers, who often recommend their favourite places to eat whilst in certain locations. You can browse through hashtags to find the best vegan restaurants in the cities you’re visiting, and you can even check out local restaurants on social media before visiting so that you’re not venturing into the unknown.
- Bring some snacks
There are many locations around the world that still do not cater well to vegan diets, this is especially the case when it comes to trying to grab a snack on the go, or when travelling by train or by flight. Just in case you find yourself stuck, try to bring your own snacks on the road with you, especially when travelling to parts of the world where veganism still isn’t widely accepted. Preparing your own snacks helps to save money, too, which is a bonus.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions
If you’re dining in a restaurant and are concerned about the ingredients in a dish, don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything that might concern you. Most places won’t mind the inquiry, and can help you to find a dish that best suits your dietary requirements. If you’re travelling to a foreign speaking country, it may be a good idea to learn some of the language basics so that you can effectively communicate this. If learning a language isn’t your forte, there are thankfully a number of apps out there you can download that can help you with basic phrases. One of the most popular is Duolingo, where you can learn for free.
- Check with your accommodation
On the subject of asking questions, one of the most important things to check, especially if you’re thinking of booking an all-inclusive stay, is to check that your accommodation caters to a vegan diet. In some locations, it can be tricky to find accommodation that does. An alternative to this is to stay in a rented apartment instead, perhaps via AirBnB. Not only is it easy to find great deals on accommodation, but it gives you the option to cook your own food during your stay. For those that feel anxious about eating out, this is an ideal alternative. It will be good.
Written by Rebecca Martin, blog writer at UniBaggage.com.