I’m on the road (again) so today I am resurrecting an old post, with a few tweaks, on how to be a successful Meatless Monday Traveler:
- Ask for recommendations from people you trust. Whenever I’m going to a new city I send out tweets and Facebook messages asking folks for their favorite vegan-friendly restaurants.
- There are some very vegan-friendly airport markets, such as CIBO Express, popping up everywhere. You can research airports you’ll be traveling to or through. I like to get to know my “home” airports. I know I can get a vegan bean burrito in Colorado Springs (from Cantina Azul), which is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. and I can get a cheese-less pizza (and good wine) at CRÚ when flying United in Denver.
- If you’re going to stay in a hotel check out the restaurant menus in advance. It allows you to plan for creative ordering (hold this, add that).
- If you’re going to be in a city for a few days, call the hotel and request a refrigerator (bonus if they offer a microwave!). Then research to find the local health food store or Whole Foods and stock up on a few things.
- I pack some of my favorite convenience foods (instant oatmeal, soups with lentils and grains) and use hot water from the in-room coffee maker to make a quick, satisfying breakfast in my hotel room.
- When at restaurants, ask the right questions and don’t assume your server knows what vegan means. I typically introduce myself as a vegan diner and explain that when it comes to eating, a vegan is the strictest kind of vegetarian, so I don’t eat meat, fish, poultry – not even cheese, milk, eggs, or honey. If I see options on the menu that look vegan, I inquire as to how the dish is prepared (butter? eggs?) If nothing stands out as vegan I ask them what they typically offer their plant-based diners and/or I start asking what dishes on the menu can be modified.
- If I’m dining out with colleagues, and I know where we will be going in advance, I phone the restaurant and ask what options are available. Why? So that being vegan doesn’t look like a “production” to my non-vegan co-workers. I like it to look nice and easy – because it really is, with a little planning – when I order my meal.
Do you have veg-travel tips? Share them in the comments!
