Traveling can be particularly difficult for vegans.

As a traveling vegan, you might find yourself in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar cuisine and not know how and where to eat a plant-based diet.

Here are some tips and resources to help you on your vegan adventures:

1. Bring food with you. You can often stash some vegan energy bars in your car or purse for the occasional use. Other food items that travel well are nuts, dried fruits, and crackers. Pack some in your suitcase. If there is anything you can’t live without, bring it.
2. Do your research. Get online and search for veg restaurants and health food stores. Print out or write down the addresses and phone numbers so you’ll have them during your trip. See below for resources.
3. Use kitchenettes. Many hotels and motels offer some cooking supplies, like a refrigerator and microwave. Use those to your advantage and prepare your own foods instead of seeking out veg options at omnivore restaurants. Even if all you have is a coffee maker, you can still use hot water for tea, soups, oatmeal and other creations.
4. Tell people. Make sure you book a vegan meal on your flight. Remind the flight attendants when you board. Tell your hosts that you’re vegan and remind them what that means. They may have suggestions for you. Mention that you’re vegan to the hotel concierge or check-in clerk. They can often recommend a restaurant or know someone else who can.
5. Go raw. Whenever you think you can’t find vegan options, go raw. Just get thee to a grocery, farmer’s market, health food store, salad bar, or even a convenience store and find the raw items. You can easily survive on salad, fruit, and nuts for a few days. (And maybe you’ll even decide to go raw more often.)

Here are some websites that can help you find vegan-friendly dining options while traveling. Search for the particular area you’ll be visiting:

• Happy Cow: http://www.happycow.net
• VegDining: http://www.vegdining.com
• Veg Guide: http://www.vegguide.org
• Vegetarian Vacations: http://www.vegetarian-vacations.com
• Veg Voyages: http://www.vegvoyages.com
• International Vegetarian Union: http://ivu.org/

Here are some specific city websites that serve a similar purpose (US only):

• Ohio & Illinois: http://www.vegohio.com and http://www.vegillinois.com,
• San Francisco: http://www.vegsf.com,
• Tampa Bay: http://www.vegtampabay.com,
• Seattle: http://www.vegseattle.com,
• Portland: http://www.vegportland.com,
• Austin: http://www.vegaustin.com,
• Albany: http://www.vegalbany.com,
• Baltimore: http://www.vegbaltimore.com,
• Chicago: http://www.vegchicago.com,
• Washington DC: http://www.vegdc.com,
• Detroit: http://www.vegdetroit.com,
• Hawaii: http://www.veghawaii.org,
• Kansas City: http://www.vegkansascity.com,
• Madison: http://www.vegmadison.com,
• Philadelphia: http://www.vegphilly.com,
• San Diego: http://www.vegsandiego.com,
• Sarasota: http://www.vegsarasota.com
• New York City: http://www.supervegan.com/
• Las Vegas: http://vegasveg.blogspot.com/

This list was partially compiled from the forum at Compassionate Cooks. Visit the thread to see more recommendations and resources >>

Sections: Vegan Et Cetera, Vegan Food, Vegan Resources
Topics: travel, veg, Vegan