Zero-Waste(ish) Vegan While Traveling: 12 Tips for Success
Anyone that follows along with our adventures would know: my partner and I love traveling the US. And we do it all vegan (and as zero-waste as possible!). We get questioned all the time, so here it is: our top tips to maintain your sanity as a vegan while traveling.
Road trips, plane-rides, you name it: we’ve probably done it (or at least thought about how we would do it!).
In reality: being vegan while traveling is incredibly easy in the modern world we live in.
No longer are we suggesting you pack powdered soy milk… I mean, there are over 14,300 Starbucks locations in the US… All of which have vegan milk!
Obviously, you’re searching for more than just vegan milk for your coffee.
What else is there to prep for?
Things to Prepare for a Vegan While Traveling
Now, just because the world is the most vegan-friendly it’s ever been doesn’t mean you can run out expecting success. You’re much better off preparing yourself, so you aren’t ever caught off-guard.
Download “Happy Cow” App
Hands-down my number one tip for traveling while vegan: downloading the Happy Cow app (or use the website!)
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Why is Happy Cow so awesome?
I’ll sit down a week-or-so ahead of my trip, search the city we’ll be in, and voila!
Here you’ll find:
- Vegan Restaurants
- Restaurants with Vegan Options
- Stores / Supplies / and More!
This way, I rarely ever have to stress about where to eat. I roll into the city hungry and knowing where I want to stop first!
Why else do I love this app?
It’s saved me on long road-trips in the middle of nowhere. Just when you think you’re gonna starve: there’s a local diner with a vegan option. Just in time!
Google is Your Friend
Happy Cow is incredible, but certain locations can sometimes be missing!
Whether it’s a new place, isn’t well known enough, or whatever: Google has been a great tool to find more options.
Simply search: “Vegan options [city]”. That’s it!
Sometimes the results are hit-or-miss (somehow non-vegan restaurants can sneak into the results?). But for the most part: you’ll be able to find some hidden gems.
Download “Is It Vegan?” App
“Is It Vegan?” Logo. ©Conner Burggraf
Another app I love suggesting? (Especially for newbies!)
The “Is It Vegan?” app! (on Apple and Android)
This guy is awesome for helping you decode the (sometimes mysterious) ingredient lists you come upon.
Here’s where you can find all sorts of “accidentally vegan” goodies all over!
Speaking of accidentally vegan foods, VegNews has a fabulous list… You know, for the next time you’re close to starvation at a gas station.
Download Health-Food Stores’ Apps
My last app suggestion?
All your favorite grocery stores!
Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, and more all have dedicated apps to help with your shopping.
How is this helpful?
You’ll be able to:
- Check availability and prices,
- Search for locations,
- Find and apply coupons,
- and more!
Best of all, some of the apps have a built-in ability to search for vegan-only items… Talk about not having to weed through garbage items!
Find Online Communities
So you’ve searched Happy Cow, you’ve googled the city… Now what??
We have one more secret location to search: Facebook groups.
Yup!
There are literally thousands of local vegan groups for practically wherever you’re searching.
- Heading to the midwest?
- Hit up the Vegan Ohio Group.
- Visiting the California Bay Area?
- There’s a Vegans of the Bay group.
- Florida?
- Surprise, surprise: Vegan Florida group.
- Arizona?
- Hellurrrrr!
Did I make my point?
There are local vegan groups throughout the US (and the world!)
This is hands-down the best place to find tailored suggestions for where to eat.. I mean, these are the people that would know best!
Book Accommodations with Kitchen-Access
Now, all of the tips so far have been about finding somewhere to eat.. And that’s great and all! But what about when you’re wanting a more low-key meal in privacy?
That’s where your hotel accommodation comes into play.
Whether it’s a hotel chain or AirBNB (our fav option)… Most places have some option that includes kitchen access.
It may not seem that important: but this is our one requirement when booking a place to stay.
Having access to basic kitchen tools and equipment can make all the difference… Especially if you’re wanting to stay in and/or save a bit of money on take-out.
This is where those grocery store apps come in handy… You need a place to prep it all!
Things to Pack for Traveling While Vegan
Next up are the things you should pack for stress-free travels. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to ever need something you don’t have access to.
Not every long-stretch of road has a restaurant or store, let alone one with vegan options. Don’t get caught without your essentials!
Vegan Travel-Friendly Toiletries
First things first: You’re gonna need to stay fresh.
Luckily, the amount of travel-friendly vegan goods has exploded in recent years.
What do I love traveling with?
- Powdered toothpaste (doesn’t count as liquid for flights!)
- (Or regular, travel-friendly toothpaste)
- Travel-friendly shampoo and conditioner
- Solid crystal deodorant (again, not counting toward liquid limit on flights)
- (Or regular, travel-friendly deodorant)
- Travel-size witch hazel
- Hand Sanitizer
Too much to buy separately?
Amazon also has these awesome all-in-one kits! All that’s missing is hand-sanitizer.
Pack High-Protein Snacks Along with Quick Eats
Wonder why sunflower seeds are the road-trip snack of choice?
Not only does it keep you busy with all the cracking; they’re also insanely good for you.
One-half cup of sunflower seeds has:
- 15 grams of protein,
- 6 grams of fiber, all with
- Zero cholesterol
Luckily, there are dozens of nut and seed mixes perfect for road trips, snacking on while walking, etc.
This one on Amazon, for example, has:
- Walnuts,
- Dried Mango,
- Almonds,
- Cranberries, and
- Pumpkin Seeds!
Best of all? It’s organic!
Looking for something sweet?
I love dried fruit, fruit leather, and other fruity concoctions for this very reason.
Protein Powder + Blender Bottle
Now, I don’t work out as much as I used to; but when I was weightlifting vegan protein powder was my saving grace.
Not only does it help with muscle recovery, but protein is also the macronutrient that makes you feel full.Â
That’s why I made it a habit to travel with my tub of vegan protein, or pack it up in a travel container!
Bringing the whole tub with you is convenient and easy… But the Blender Bottle stacker containers are also great for snacks, multivitamins, and so much more.
While you’re at it, go ahead and snag a Blender Bottle to mix it all up in (the stacker containers fit inside perfectly!)
Protein/Superfood Bars
Speaking of protein… are you more a fan of eating it than drinking?
Protein bars are the answer for you, my friend!
I like to either make a bunch beforehand or simply buy a case of my favorite brands.
Check out my peanut butter oats bars here, and shop Clif Bars, ProBars, and Vega on Amazon.
Hydroflask/Reusable Water Bottles
Oh, how I love my Hydroflask!
F*ck plastic bottles, yo!
Get yourself one of these beauties and fill up (for free) wherever you can!
In all honesty: I never feel prepared if I leave the house without one. Especially living in Arizona, we know water is life!
Best of all?
Hydroflasks are BPA-free and come with a lifetime warranty!
Reusable Containers for To-Go Food
If you eat out as much as I do when traveling, you know one thing: you’re gonna need a to-go container.
(This is especially true if you followed my above tip and have a booking with kitchen access)
No, I don’t want styrofoam, I don’t even want something “compostable”… I want something durable I can throw everything into and reuse again and again!
Thank goodness for these metal to-go boxes (with removable divider!).
Reusable Utensils
You need something to eat those leftovers with, right!?
Say no to the plastic, and go with this reusable stainless steel kit!
Included is a:
- Fork,
- Spoon,
- Set of chopsticks, and
- Carrying case!
Straws with Cleaning Brush
Another must-have for any coffee, juice, or tea lover! (Or maybe someone wearing lipstick that doesn’t want to smudge it?)
We’ve been using these straws for over a year now and are absolutely in love.
Not only do we use them when traveling, we also use them for our coffee at home!
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