When you travel, how do you keep to your vegan diet?
Specifically, what are the tricks for eating vegan at fast food chains? Do you stick to french fries or do you have tips for finding more substantial options at some of the most well known restaurants?
I adopted a vegan diet in 2006 and was vegetarian for a few years before that. Even just in that timeframe, I’ve seen significant improvement in the availability and quality of vegan options while traveling. Virtually any restaurant nowadays has some thing on their menu that can be easily adapted for a vegan diet, even if it’s a meal composed of a few of the restaurant’s side items. Barbecue restaurants and some seafood restaurants are the only exceptions I’ve encountered in recent years when I’m traveling for work and not always able to select the restaurants myself. I generally travel with Vega bars in case I find myself in a situation where I don’t have a good option, but to be honest, that’s rarely ever needed. Chains like Chipotle (sofritas burrito with black beans and brown rice), Panera (Mediterranean veggie sandwich with no feta or pesto), and, when it’s late and only drive-through fast food is an option, even Taco Bell (fresco bean burritos) do the trick. Most options available on the road are higher in sodium and oil than the food my family and I would normally eat at home, but we’re grateful to have options wherever our travels may take us.
As a bonus tip, order Taco Bell’s Fresco Bean Burrito as follows: cheesy bean and rice burrito, fresco style, add red sauce (if desired). “Fresco style” should mean to the employees there to remove any dairy products and replace it with pico de gallo, a flavorful mix of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Prices vary from store to store, but oRedding it this way should keep the total at $1.00 on what would otherwise be around $1.75 by the ti,e you pay to add rice.
Sides are a great option, Tikune! Your vegan hacks at popular chains (and just knowing Chipotle has a vegan option) are great. The details on the Taco Bell order are so helpful – thanks!
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