A Guide to Travelling as a Vegan

1.16% of the population of Great Britain were vegan in 2019, compared to 0.25% in 2014, with the UK launching more vegan products than any other nation in 2018. But what is it like to travel when you’re a vegan, or if you have dietary requirements? It’s something anyone must consider before going on holiday: what food will I be able to eat? And it’s especially important to think about if there are foods you need or want to avoid.

This guide by Love Holidays will outline some of the leading destinations where vegans can enjoy travelling with greater ease, as well as providing advice for anyone who has dietary restrictions and has to take additional care when deciding what to eat.

1. A brief guide to different dietary requirements

Vegan: Doesn’t consume anything deemed an animal product. This includes meat, fish, eggs, dairy and animal byproducts like honey.

Raw food vegan: Doesn’t consume meat, fish, eggs, dairy, animal byproducts, or anything cooked at 40.5°C or above.

Lacto vegetarian: Doesn’t eat meat, fish or eggs, but will consume dairy products.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Doesn’t eat meat or fish, but will consume eggs and dairy products.

Ovo vegetarian: Doesn’t consume meat, fish or dairy products, but will eat eggs.

Pescatarian: Doesn’t eat meat, but will eat fish.

Flexitarian: Eats a mostly vegan or vegetarian diet, but will occasionally consume meat, fish or other animal products. For example, a flexitarian may cook vegetarian meals at home, but order a meat or fish dish at a restaurant.

Gluten-free: Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your tissues when you eat gluten, damaging the small intestine and preventing you from taking in nutrients.

Food allergies: Research has found that over 20% of the UK population are affected by one or more allergies. Most common food allergies include: Dairy, Nuts, Eggs, Crustaceans and Fish

Food intolerances: An allergy can trigger a reaction which affects your internal organs, whereas an intolerance is not as life-threatening. Common food intolerances include: dairy products, eggs and nuts.

2.

Doing your research

Learning the language: Picking up some simple phrases in the language spoken in your destination can be useful. The last thing you want is miscommunication when it comes to your diet.

Planning where to eat: A lot of people plan where they want to eat in advance before a trip. It’s part of the fun. It’s doubly important to do this if you have dietary requirements. The best planning tools for vegan travellers include: Happy Cow, Tripadvisor and Foodsaurus

Taking snacks with you: Here are the light bites to look out for when you need something to get you through the hours between lunch and dinner: Fresh fruit, Hummus with vegetables and crackers, Homemade energy bars, Roasted chickpeas, Vegan muffins,

Vegan travel apps: Technology has made going on holiday much easier for everyone. It can also play a part in ensuring you find the kinds of food you’re allowed to eat. Try out: Vegan Xpress, Air Vegan, V-cards, Meetup

Mistakes to avoid: Don’t book your accommodation without a kitchen. Having your own kitchen gives you the freedom to whip something up in an emergency. Don’t forget your essentials. Things like B12, probiotics and coconut oil are always worth having in your travel bag. Don’t avoid a restaurant just because it has a lot of meat options. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with a business that looks promising, and ask if they can change a dish around to make it more vegan-friendly.

3.

Vegan-friendly destinations

Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of travelling as a vegan in different corners of the globe.

Vegan travel in Asia:        

· Immerse yourself in the culture

· Have a back-up plan, in case you get unlucky and can’t find anything to eat

· Set a budget before you go

· Best spots for vegan food: Chiang Mai (Thailand), Chennai (India), Taipei (Taiwan), Bali (Indonesia)

Vegan travel in Africa:

· Don’t be put off by chain restaurants. They often use slightly different ingredients in Africa.

· Try a vegan safari

· Ask what the food is cooked in

· Best spots for vegan food: Okavango Delta (Botswana), Marrakesh (Morocco), Island Hopping (Cape Verde)

Vegan travel in South America:

· Recipes based around quinoa, avocados and beans are the way to go in South America

· Rely on apps like the Happy Cow

· Consider going raw - You’ll have the guarantee that what you’re eating is vegan

· Best spots for vegan food: Buenos Aires (Argentina), São Paulo (Brazil), Medellín (Columbia)

Vegan travel in North America:

· Look for spots on social media

· Try something new

· Best spots for vegan food in North America: Seattle (USA), Toronto (Canada), New York City (USA)

Vegan travel in Europe:

· Check out dedicated restaurants

· Budget for at-home meals

· Explore local markets

· Best spots for vegan food in Europe: Berlin (Germany), Paris (France), Prague (Czech Republic), Gothenburg (Sweden)

Staycations in the UK:

· Brighton - a must-visit for anyone looking for delicious food which matches all dietary requirements.

· Newcastle - host their own Vegan Festival every year

· Leicester - There are over 53 incredible vegan spots to choose from in Leicester.

· Bristol - You can pop into the Koocha Mezze Bar for a mix of fantastic food and cocktails.

4.

Useful links & resources

Healthline: provides a breakdown of some of the most common mistakes vegans and vegetarians make in their daily diet.

MeetUp: Safely bond with other like-minded vegans.

Nutrition.org: Getting the right amount of nutrients is vital. Read the full guidance given by Nutrition.org.

Thriving Vegan: New to the world of vegan? Make sure to check out the Thriving Vegan’s beginner’s guide.

The Vegan Society: take a closer look at how to change your diet on a budget.

Check out the full Guide to Travelling as a Vegan
or With Other Dietary Requirements here