Travelling as a vegan ( or the culinary curious )

I’m sure everyone has noticed that there are many more food options in the UK for those that want a plant based diet. However, eating this way when on holiday can be full of challenges, with hotels catering for the majority, language barriers and differing food cultures, to name but a few. However there are ways of making it less of an issue so that you can concentrate on enjoying your holiday, while giving your taste buds a new experience. . Visit countries that use lots of plant based ingredients as part of their food culture. India has a long vegetarian culture, just make sure there is no dairy in the dish. Vietnam has great vegan and vegetarian street food and their ‘chay’ restaurants are vegan friendly. Thailand uses lots of tofu and coconut milk, just watch out for egg and fish sauce which is used in many dishes Germany, particularly Berlin has a great vegan ‘scene’ with lots of meat alternatives.

. Give All-Inclusive a miss and eat locally, you will get to see more of the destination, try more dishes and you will be ‘giving back’ to the local community.

. Use Google translate to help confirm your food requirements.

. If you do eat in the hotel then speak to the restaurant manager and discuss the vegan options. Every time I have done this I have had meals made specifically for me and the waiters are always happy to look after you. Just be ready for the envious looks from other guests as you are served food they can’t see at the buffet or on the menu.

. Be adventurous and this applies to whatever your food choices are. Some of the best food I have had on holiday has been while sharing a table in a local café, as the only tourist there, enjoying fresh food cooked with simple ingredients.

So be brave and don’t let dietary requirements put you off travelling the world, your taste buds will thank you.