by Betsy Young

Created on: October 04, 2007

Traveling as a vegetarian can be tricky. Communication is the key. Electronic translators are helpful but being able to actually tell people in their language that you are a vegetarian makes a huge difference.

Today there are many interpretations of just what a vegetarian is. Make sure that if that means no eggs or cheese that you are clear. Stock is another issue. Often the dish itself may include no pieces of meat but fish or chicken stock has been used in its preparation.

Internet guides such as happycow.com or veggie-net.com can be invaluable tools for finding health food stores and vegetarian restaurants anywhere in the world. Searching specific towns or cities where you will be traveling for restaurant options is helpful too.

Chain restaurants are not set up to accommodate vegetarians. Prep areas overlap for meats and veggies. Space for cooking on the grill overlaps as does fry ladder space. Even salads are often put together on the same cutting board where the chicken breast was just sliced for a chicken Caesar. Believe me these places are set up for speed not special orders.

Boutique and ethnic restaurants are often much more adaptable and the server is allowed to speak honestly about what they are capable of doing for you. Chefs and cooks in these restaurants are often more amenable as well. Excellent tip to the bartender is a good way to get special treatment even if the restaurant has not one vegetarian entre. Make sure to take care of the server and the chef for going out of their way.

Tired of salads and tofu in mystery sauce? Use the local markets. We have spent weeks on the road with market food. Be aware of local parasites for raw fruits and veggies in certain places. Often roasted veggies and fresh breads can be found. Bean soups, patties and pies are available in many markets worldwide.

Staying with friends or family? Sometimes these can be the least accommodating of folks if they just can't fathom why you gave up roast and bacon. A nice box of excellent chocolates can usually smooth things over. The offer to prepare a couple of meals to show off your culinary skills will assure you of at least a meal or two with some substance.

With all the calorie counting, low salt, low fat and no sugar restrictions that people encounter you may find that people are really pleased to find that green beans can be quite tasty without the bacon.

Carry snacks always for the just in case the restaurant or grandma just doesn't get what no meat means. Dried fruits, nuts, crackers and nut butters may just save you from starvation. Bon appetite.

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