Eating Raw on the Road

Travel often means letting go of all those healthy eating habits that take months to develop at home. That’s especially true if you’re attempting to maintain vegetarian, vegan or raw diets on the road. However, more and more savvy travelers are finding wholesome, fresh and raw ingredients in surprising locations around the world.

Do some homework — Do a search online for restaurants that have raw and vegan options at your destination. Most large cities boast a wide range of healthy cuisine. There are apps and websites, such as HappyCow.net, that compile restaurants for vegan and raw diets in cities of every size. Also, consider traveling to destinations that highlight healthful foods as a part of the culture.

Make contact — Call your airline and bed and breakfast hosts well before you travel. You can request meals that fit within your diet restrictions, instead of starving in-flight or missing out on the gourmet opportunities at your host’s abode.

Pack a punch —Bring along plenty of super foods like nuts, seaweed, fruit and honey. You’ll always have a back-up plan if you find yourself in a location with few accommodations. If you’re driving, bring along a cooler and pack it full of healthful snacking options, like raw wraps, veggie salads and smoothies.

Make friends with locals — Savvy locals can tell you about hidden dining gems and farmers markets where you can stock up on fresh, local produce as you pass through town. Think of it like a raw scavenger hunt. This technique works perfectly on extended road trips. It also works surprisingly well throughout Europe and Latin America where local produce is an essential part of the culture.

See, that wasn’t as hard as you thought, right?