Comments on: Difficulties Traveling as a Vegetarian

By: Shannon OD

Shannon OD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:23:11 +0000

I’ve found that I really have to be more open to knowing that there may be meat base in the sauce or things like that…in Cuba, although I ordered beans and rice, the beans were often with a ham base…and I just went with it becuase it was all government issued food and I felt really bad making an issue since it’s all they have. For the most part though, I really haven’t had any horror stories like some people!

By: Benny the Irish polyglot

Benny the Irish polyglot — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:37:18 +0000

Wow, great discussion going on here :) I've been on the road for 7 years, mostly in South America and Europe, and I've never had to sacrifice eating well as a strict lacto-ovo vegetarian. I wrote a huge bunch of tips on my blog for other travelling vegetarians. @Alinda In Argentina I found that saying that I was on a diet rather than a vegetarian, actually worked way better. Otherwise a wee chat with the waiter was necessary, but I never went a day without eating wholesome food. I'm one of those "veggie purists", but I find being very casual and joking about the whole thing saves me from any awkward situations. I like to mock meat eaters for their pathetic canine teeth and use of utensils, saying that I'm clearly the wilder manlier option ;)

By: Shane Brown

Shane Brown — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:36:32 +0000

There’s a really good iPhone app called Veggie Passport – it has translations for 33 languages for a whole range of meat free phrases. It’s cheap, and very handy

By: Shane Brown

Shane Brown — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:39:11 +0000

It’s so cool that people care enough to put their thoughts and experiences on vego travelling here. I’m impressed!

By: Pria Ingrum

Pria Ingrum — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:36:55 +0000

I was recently taking a short vacation in San Diego and we tried a small Mexican cafe. I asked if their beans were vegetarian and the employee stated “yes.” I asked if there was lard in them and he also said “yes.” There is certainly a different concept of what is considered veggie by many. I’ve also experienced this with ordering Pad Thai as it often has fish sauce, which is not mentioned and some consider veggie.

I don’t think I could make an exception to my diet when traveling. It’s frankly not even appetizing to me if I know there’s meat. I would also rather not be picking it out of my food, which also seems gross. I have budged some with at least the proximity of my veg food to non as my mate is not a vegetarian.

A veggie might need to be resourceful and creative when traveling. I think part of the point for some veggies, including myself, is to make a statement. That includes putting it out there when traveling so more and more establishments realize we exist and need to be catered to.

By: Anil

Anil — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:01:47 +0000

I rarely eat meat but often when traveling and visiting a home there is no other choice. I’ll avoid meat when possible, try anything once, and eat it where there is no other choice. Using those basic rules it’s been pretty easy to stay vegetarian on most days.

By: Jeffery Patch

Jeffery Patch — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:23:23 +0000

I don’t think I saw ANYTHING on the menu in Argentina that didn’t have meat. It was tough enough for me sometimes as I typically don’t eat beef or pork.

By: Jeffery Patch

Jeffery Patch — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:21:12 +0000

It’s definitely OK to link. Thanks for sharing your experiences and I hope you have a great, animal friendly, trip :)

By: vanessa

vanessa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:31:07 +0000

to add on,

i also try to research ahead on where are the vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants at the place where i’m visiting and i’ll try my best to dine there. if not, i will find out the local phrase for “do you have anything vegetarian on the menu?” or “is there meat in that?” and use it at the places i dine at.

worked pretty well so far!

By: vanessa

vanessa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:26:08 +0000

i recently stopped eating meat (well, except for seafood) and it’s definitely been a bit more challenging when i dine overseas. even at home in singapore, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to be a vegetarian.

but i don’t think it’s a big loss, because i’m a lot more careful about what i put in my mouth. which is good, both morally and health-wise.

however, like what Catia said, i am sometimes a little wistful that i might be missing out on a great cultural experience, but i’ll just counter it by taking part in a non-meal-related cultural activity :)