Tips for Healthy Traveling

It's peak travel season, and schlepping your stuff around on trains, planes and automobiles always tends to screw up your diet.

We've heard it time and again - "I was stuck in the airport and the only options were fried nachos and BBQ wings, and I gave in."

That's BS. Don't let this happen to you.

To stay plant-based while on the go, it takes a little thought and preparation, but not so much that you need to throw a hissy fit. Here are some common sticky situations and ways to cope.

Problem: You're in the airport and all you see are pizza and burger places.

Solution: Go to the newsstand/convenience store - there you'll find bottled water, dried fruit and a package of almonds. Almonds are always a winner and there are enough calories in one package to keep you going through your next stop. If there's no convenience store, try a bagel from the café, a package of granola or instant oatmeal from one of the fast food places.

Problem: You're going off the grid, where the main language isn't English.

Solution: Buy a phrase book for the place you're visiting - any phrase book written in the last five years will have a "dietary concerns" section. While you might like to think that veganism is the new hip thing, food allergies have existed since the beginning of time. If there's no chance to run to the bookstore, download the free translator app on your Smartphone and learn how to say "I don't eat meat, eggs, or dairy." They'll figure it out.

Problem: It's the first night in a hotel in a foreign land and all the restaurants are closed.

Solution: Before you land your ass in this shitty situation, make sure you pack some inexpensive essentials in your checked luggage. Our favs? Packages of almonds, instant oatmeal, a plastic jar of peanut butter and some kind of energy bar (think Lara or Clif bars). It's legal to take all these things in your luggage with you and it'll save your butt when you're starving at 3am.

Problem: You've done the research, and there seem to be nil plant-friendly places in your vacation hotspot.

Solution: Don't even think about living on processed Frankenfood out of the neighborhood convenience store. And just because you see a trusted American brand doesn't mean that ingredients are the same everywhere - Doritos in Japan, for example, are made totally different than they are in the US of A. Get online, check vegetarian forums and book a room with a small kitchen set-up. Once you arrive, shop local for beans, tofu, tempeh and vegetables. If you're going to a really remote locale, try to find friendly, English-speaking hotels where you can order room service or request kitchen services, and pack your essentials for eating.

The Must-Dos:

Do request a vegan meal when you've booked your flight, and call 24 hours before your departure to confirm.

Do research where you're staying and find the plant-friendly places nearby. Thai, Japanese and Mediterranean restaurants are good options.

Do learn a few phrases that will help you, such as "Does this have milk/eggs?" and the words for "vegetarian," "whey," "meat" and "gelatin." Even if this is all you learn, it will help you immensely!

The Bottom Line

Sure, it sucks to travel as a vegan sometimes, but with only a few hours of preparation, you can have a relaxing vacation and avoid animal products.

Have vegan travel tips to share? Visit www.healthybitchdaily.com and let us know!