by Eve Mager

Created on: November 14, 2007

As a vegetarian one thing I have come to find is that being a vegetarian or a vegan is not easy when you are dining out, let alone spending time on the road. Unless you plan ahead most restaurants that you pass at rest stops, on the sides of busy streets, or on the first turn off into town, are going to be fast-food burger type joints that are not health friendly and are enemy territory to all vegetarians and vegans alike.

The easiest way to maintain a vegan and vegetarian diet on the road is to plan ahead and pack your own meals. These can easily be substituted with snacks from rest stops such as vegetable and fruit juices, nuts and trail mix, and most rest stops even offer packaged salads and vegetables which are usually made daily (just be sure to check the packaged-on date). Of course if you are one the road for more than a day, packing ahead just isn't an option.

While most fast food restaurants do offer vegetarian options now such as veggie burgers, salads, and baked potatoes, it often isn't the kind of food that offers nutrients, or satisfaction to a hungry vegetarian. A better fast-food option for vegetarians and vegan in a hurry is to stop at a submarine shop, and get a sandwhich made to you liking that is stuffed full of healthy vegetables.

The best option when it comes to maintaining a healthy vegetarian and vegan diet on the road is planning ahead and researching real restaurants in the area you will be passing through. The best restaurants for vegetarian and vegan meal options are Asian/Oriental cuisine or East Indian. Most towns will offer one of these types of restaurants and if not, the friendly family dinner should be able to fix you up a potato and cooked veggies for a reasonable price although you will have to ask. Just remember to state your needs and specify what you want and any good restaurant will be able to cater to you. And in small town hick-ville where all else fails, just keep in mind that a can of vegetable juice and some crackers or nuts should keeps you satisfied at least until the next town.

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