Tips for vegetarians and vegans

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It's not always easy to stick to a vegetarian or even vegan diet. Here are some tips that might help you.

1 Search, research and pack smart ahead of time
2 Try to pick a host who has a similar diet
3 Learn (at least a little bit of) the language
4 Global Vegetarian Restaurant and Store Directories

Search, research and pack smart ahead of time

Don't forget to unpack!

Search online for restaurants, supermarkets, and health food stores in the area(s) you'll be traveling to. Google Maps Local Search works with some Western countries, but the best insider tips will probably come directly from CouchSurfers. On the Vegan/Vegetarian Group, there are CouchSurfers from Austria to Brazil to Croatia to Denmark to England to Finland and so forth.

Research the specific food import laws of foreign countries. Most countries allow travelers to bring in non-perishable foods, especially when they aren't animal-based, because they are much less likely to carry diseases than, say, raw meat. You might want to plan on packing some of your own staple items and also offer to cook a few meals for your hosts. Remember that canned foods can get heavy, but dehydrated foods, grains, specialty spices, nuts, seeds, legumes, & dry beans are more portable and versatile. Pack everything in re-usable airtight containers to avoid a messy suitcases, discarded leftovers, material litter, insect infestation, and water damage. Make sure your bags are packed securely enough to get thrown and jostled quite a bit, and safely prepared for temperature changes (even if it just means the change from cold air-conditioning to hot summer weather).

Try to pick a host who has a similar diet

Contact a vegetarian or alternative-diet host who can understand and address your concerns. If you're traveling to an area where vegetarianism is unpopular, then make sure to tell your host that you are vegetarian beforehand, and talk about local dining culture over e-mail or skype before you arrive - you'll get better acquainted with both the foreign area AND your amazing CouchSurfing host. Inversely, vegetarian/vegan friendly hosts should include this in their profile.

Learn (at least a little bit of) the language

If you're unfamiliar with the native tongue of the place you're traveling to, try to learn some key food & etiquette phrases. Always learn your Please and Thank you's, in addition to learning to ask if something is meat-free.

Don't count on the word "vegetarian" (or its translations) meaning the same thing everywhere. This can mean various things, from "I only eat vegetables" to "I don't eat beef except on holidays" to "please bring me fish." Have a full list of things on hand that you can and cannot eat, and if you're a strict vegetarian, be sure to ask specifically about the "hidden additives" such as lard, chicken stock, fish sauce, etc. - most cultures do not consider these animal products to be "meat."

It's helpful to have someone who is familiar with the local language write up a small card that you can carry with you and hand to restaurant staff, etc., that lists exactly what sorts of foods you are trying to avoid.

The International Vegetarian Union (IVU) has a great resource of dietary phrases for travelers on their website.