How to Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Protein as a Vegan Traveler

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For vegan travelers, maintaining a healthy diet that incorporates all the necessary nutrients and minerals can be challenging. When options are limited, we’re more likely to favor convenience over substance. But with the right preparation, you can satisfy your wanderlust without compromising on your principles while ensuring you’re still getting enough of the good stuff our bodies need to function. Here are our top tips for getting enough protein as a vegan traveler.

Understand the Best Sources of Protein

In order to get enough protein in your diet, it’s imperative that you understand the types of foods and ingredients you should be looking to incorporate into your daily meals. In the absence of meat and other animal products, there are several high-protein vegan foods to choose from. Best of all, many of these ingredients are readily available around the world. Here are some high-protein vegan foods to keep in mind on your travels:

• Amaranth
• Peanuts
• Tofu
• Flaxseed
• Pistachios
• Quinoa
• Hemp seeds
• Kidney beans
• Chickpeas
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Green peas
• Nutritional yeast
• Spelt
• Oats
• Lentils
• Tempeh
• Edamame

Research Local Restaurants and Supermarkets

Once you know the sort of foods you should be looking for to top up your protein intake, you’ll want to get an understanding of how readily available these options are. Before leaving home, it can be useful to have a bank of restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets you know will be able to cater to your dietary needs. To ensure you’re prepared, it’s always good to learn a few local phrases to help you communicate your dietary needs or find out more information about different products.

If you have your own kitchen at your accommodation, make a list of recipes that incorporate some of the ingredients listed above to ensure you’re packing enough protein into your meals.

Bring Your Own High-Protein Snacks

No matter where you are in the world, if you’re spending the day out exploring the sights and sounds of the local area, it’s easy for your food choices to become something of an afterthought. However, especially if you’re going on an active holiday, maintaining your protein levels will be even more important. On those days when you can’t be sure how many options you’ll have available to you, it can be handy to come prepared with your own snacks or meals to keep your energy levels up throughout the day.

Whether you purchase some of your favorite snacks at home and take them with you or buy some easy-to-eat treats at a local supermarket once you arrive, having an emergency stock of supplies to fall back on can give you peace of mind when exploring. Look for high-protein options like nuts and seeds; not only are these great sources of protein, but they can be easily transported and are unlikely to go bad.

Preparation is Key

Above all, the best way to manage your dietary requirements while traveling is to plan ahead. Think about the types of foods you should be looking to eat, the places where you’ll be able to get them, and having your own snacks to keep you fueled on days spent out and about as a vegan traveler.

Harriet Moore is accustomed to navigating the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet when traveling to new places. Through her posts, Harriet aims to inspire other vegans to broaden their horizons by providing simple takeaway tips that make travel a less daunting prospect.