Touring as a Vegan
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Touring as a Vegan
For a variety of reasons I have recently become a vegetarian, vegan. I'm an experienced self contained bicycle tourist. My question, have any of you found maintaining a vegan diet difficult on tour. Many of the great little towns across the fruited plane could be bereft of vegan selection in local eateries. Any help from the group? db
#2
Senior Member
I would be prepared to cook. Plan on carrying some staples with you to get you through the lean areas. Keep in mind what your body needs and come up with some simple, basic meals from easily obtainable ingredients. If you can come up with some grain-based or pasta-based meals that travel well and can supplemented with veggies that you find en route, that might be ideal.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan, and I can usually find at least one thing to eat where ever I stop, I don't know if that'd be the case if I were vegan. I already try to keep food on me in case nothing palatable shows up on the road. I imagine with a vegan diet, that'd be doubly necessary. There's stuff in my bag that I hope not to eat, but it looks more and more tasty as time goes by without a decent food stop.
One specific item I've carried is single meal, heat and eat, Indian dishes. I do believe at least some of them are vegan. There are two brands, and neither of them are leaping to mind right now, but I bet someone will come up with them because I probably heard about them here.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan, and I can usually find at least one thing to eat where ever I stop, I don't know if that'd be the case if I were vegan. I already try to keep food on me in case nothing palatable shows up on the road. I imagine with a vegan diet, that'd be doubly necessary. There's stuff in my bag that I hope not to eat, but it looks more and more tasty as time goes by without a decent food stop.
One specific item I've carried is single meal, heat and eat, Indian dishes. I do believe at least some of them are vegan. There are two brands, and neither of them are leaping to mind right now, but I bet someone will come up with them because I probably heard about them here.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 617
Bikes: soma double cross DC, giant reign
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Are talking about touring in America? It all depends on where you are.
In general, it's like other kinds of vegan travel. You will probably have decent restaurant options in cities, in small towns, maybe not. If you have cooking gear it's fairly easy to get by as long as you have decent access to food. In the northeast US it's easy, supermarkets are everywhere.
It varies by country. I toured for 8 months in South America recently. It is very, very difficult to be vegetarian, and harder to be vegan there. I rarely ate in restaurants, except for in major cities (Lima, Quito, Santiago) where vegetarian restaurants existed. I cooked my own dinner almost every night. In many rural places, there was almost no produce, like southern patagonia, where nothing really grows. They eat sheep. Still, I managed, I ate lots of pasta, potatoes, breads, jam, that sort of thing.
The hardest thing about being vegan and touring is turning down food. Depending where you are, it is fairly common to be invited into someone's home for a meal. It's hard to turn down the kindness of strangers. I think I would have stayed with more families in small villages in South America, if I wasn't worried about insulting them by turning down food. You also miss out on a lot of cultural exchanges, people like to talk about food. That's life as a vegan in general, but I find I notice it a lot more when I'm traveling.
In general, it's like other kinds of vegan travel. You will probably have decent restaurant options in cities, in small towns, maybe not. If you have cooking gear it's fairly easy to get by as long as you have decent access to food. In the northeast US it's easy, supermarkets are everywhere.
It varies by country. I toured for 8 months in South America recently. It is very, very difficult to be vegetarian, and harder to be vegan there. I rarely ate in restaurants, except for in major cities (Lima, Quito, Santiago) where vegetarian restaurants existed. I cooked my own dinner almost every night. In many rural places, there was almost no produce, like southern patagonia, where nothing really grows. They eat sheep. Still, I managed, I ate lots of pasta, potatoes, breads, jam, that sort of thing.
The hardest thing about being vegan and touring is turning down food. Depending where you are, it is fairly common to be invited into someone's home for a meal. It's hard to turn down the kindness of strangers. I think I would have stayed with more families in small villages in South America, if I wasn't worried about insulting them by turning down food. You also miss out on a lot of cultural exchanges, people like to talk about food. That's life as a vegan in general, but I find I notice it a lot more when I'm traveling.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 617
Bikes: soma double cross DC, giant reign
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Also, I should add, peanut butter and jelly is great cycle touring food.
#5
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Another vegetarian, I'd always have a backup meal or two, maybe just a jar of peanut butter and a pack of tortillas in the bottom of a pannier, just in case you find yourself needing food. It's not a bad idea even if you don't have dietary restrictions; I've rolled in to town after all the restaurants have closed.
If you have emergency food and aren't afraid to eat it, then the worst that can really happen is a few to many meals of peanut butter. A lot of smaller places can probably make you something vegan if you ask nicely.
If you have emergency food and aren't afraid to eat it, then the worst that can really happen is a few to many meals of peanut butter. A lot of smaller places can probably make you something vegan if you ask nicely.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Jasper Alberta
Posts: 469
Bikes: Surly Ogre
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A little off topic, sorry. I am not a vegan, but a quick question to the OP: As a vegan do you find consume enough calories while touring? I found during my meat light/less times (hiking), I can't stop eating, constantly hungry. Random curiosity, thanks.
Peanut butter and Nutella are quite possibly the most important foods ever. They go well on everything, bread, pancakes, chips, (yes, meat), nuts, fruit, anything you could think of.......
Oatmeal is a good meal too.
Peanut butter and Nutella are quite possibly the most important foods ever. They go well on everything, bread, pancakes, chips, (yes, meat), nuts, fruit, anything you could think of.......
Oatmeal is a good meal too.
#7
Cycle Dallas
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Land of Gar, TX
Posts: 3,777
Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
Another off-topic comment: Have you seen "Ride the Divide"?
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
#8
aka Timi
I've been a vegan for 25 years or so. My basic menu on tour is:
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
edit: I cook on a mini trangia, and eat out of the pot.
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
edit: I cook on a mini trangia, and eat out of the pot.
#9
ah.... sure.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107
Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've been a vegan for 25 years or so. My basic menu on tour is:
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
edit: I cook on a mini trangia, and eat out of the pot.
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
edit: I cook on a mini trangia, and eat out of the pot.
Also, if a town has a taco bell i grab a 7 layer with 2 missing(cheese and sour cream)... when I just want to be lazy.
#10
eternalvoyage
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,256
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For a variety of reasons I have recently become a vegetarian, vegan. I'm an experienced self contained bicycle tourist. My question, have any of you found maintaining a vegan diet difficult on tour. Many of the great little towns across the fruited plane could be bereft of vegan selection in local eateries. Any help from the group? db
Oats are a great food, and are easy to find. Quick oats are a bit better, for me, than the thicker rolled oats. Neither of these need additional cooking. Soaking, even for a short time, softens them well. You can also soak them for hours, and muesli can be very good -- better than most people in this country realize. It's more widely appreciated in some parts of Europe.
I usually soak mine in water, or water plus soy milk. I add raisins and let them soak and plump up. When ready to eat, I top it with mashed or pureed bananas, and sprinkle with brown sugar, and then add a little vanilla soy milk. It's a great meal.
Oats can also be used for savory dishes, and as a main ingredient in a wide variety of trail mixes.
#11
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,532
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1445 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times
in
222 Posts
I attempted Vegetarian touring in the late 80's and early 90's. Relatively easy on the west coast. Also fairly easy east coast New Jersey to Maine. Middle of the country I found nearly impossible to comply (except Boulder, CO!). Nowadays, with the prevalence of Subways and Smoothie shops, power bars and energy drinks found in some very small towns, I think I could even do it stove free. I like the suggestions given by others above. I might add that a head of cabbage will last weeks in a pannier bottom wrapped in a couple of bags if the temps are reasonable. I also cook on a mini Trangia - eat from the pot.
OK, the biggest problem I had with staying vegetarian (not vegan) was three or four nights a week, camping neighbors in RVs would deliver meals to me to be nice. Almost every time the meal had lots of meat and dairy. Fried chicken, BBQ Ribs, even steak and seafood, potato salad, mac-n-cheese, etc. Since my trips tend to last six or seven months, it makes sense to take advantage of free food. If someone hands free, hot, delicious food to me, I eat it and show gratitude. That's my rule.
OK, the biggest problem I had with staying vegetarian (not vegan) was three or four nights a week, camping neighbors in RVs would deliver meals to me to be nice. Almost every time the meal had lots of meat and dairy. Fried chicken, BBQ Ribs, even steak and seafood, potato salad, mac-n-cheese, etc. Since my trips tend to last six or seven months, it makes sense to take advantage of free food. If someone hands free, hot, delicious food to me, I eat it and show gratitude. That's my rule.
#12
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Not vegan or even vegetarian, but I do eat a lot more veggies than the average American. I had little problem finding veggies along the road on my last two long haul tours in the US. I too use a small stove and eat out of the pot. Nothing better to me than beans and rice. FWIW I would watch those tortillas...a lot of them have lard in them.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#13
ah.... sure.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107
Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Also, most clif bars are vegan as well... Available just about everywhere for a quick snack that doesn't turn to goo in the heat.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 699
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Giant Trance, Felt Breed, Marin SS MTB, Felt Pyre BMX bike, oldschool GT trials bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another off-topic comment: Have you seen "Ride the Divide"?
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
#19
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,606
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18572 Post(s)
Liked 16,019 Times
in
7,519 Posts
Another off-topic comment: Have you seen "Ride the Divide"?
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
It's a documentary about the 2009 MTB race from Canada to Mexico, along the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, one of the racers had the nickname "Super Vegan." He had some extra challenges finding stuff to eat at gas stations, along the way (a common practice in this race).
#21
aka Timi
Works well. If you have the patience, black-eye beans can be cooked (45 mins) without pre-soak. Then refry them in olive oil with garlic... yummy
I'm usually too beat to bother, just open a tin of beans and throw 'em in the pot when the rice is done.
Good call on the humus kyakdiver.
I'm usually too beat to bother, just open a tin of beans and throw 'em in the pot when the rice is done.
Good call on the humus kyakdiver.
#22
Senior Member
I'll add that many places it is kind of hard to find if in remote rural towns.
Dried hummus (or is it called instant hummus?), while even harder to find, is pretty good and travels very well. It reconstitutes pretty much instantly. If you run across it it might be worth stocking up a bit.
Dried hummus (or is it called instant hummus?), while even harder to find, is pretty good and travels very well. It reconstitutes pretty much instantly. If you run across it it might be worth stocking up a bit.
#23
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 44
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Jamis Aurora Elite, Specialized Globe since 2007
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's worth searching for "vegan" on CouchSurfing or Warm Showers. I've had much better responses from vegans when traveling than from non-vegans. I suspect that vegans in more remote places don't know that many other vegans nearby, which means you'll be welcomed with enthusiasm and a great meal. That's a double win because those places are where you'd otherwise have fewer food options.
Most supermarkets in urban and suburban areas at least have things like soymilk and clif bars, but even if they don't my staple meal is a bowl of oatmeal. I'm allergic to most nuts so my basic lunch is two hummus and avocado sandwiches (though avocado is expensive in some areas). My biggest mistake has been limiting my emergency food to clif bars; after a few too many of those things you won't want to see another one for months!
Check sites like happycow.net to fins vegan-friendly supermarkets and restaurants.
Most supermarkets in urban and suburban areas at least have things like soymilk and clif bars, but even if they don't my staple meal is a bowl of oatmeal. I'm allergic to most nuts so my basic lunch is two hummus and avocado sandwiches (though avocado is expensive in some areas). My biggest mistake has been limiting my emergency food to clif bars; after a few too many of those things you won't want to see another one for months!
Check sites like happycow.net to fins vegan-friendly supermarkets and restaurants.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 169
Bikes: Trek 820, Specialized Sirrus Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been a vegan for 25 years or so. My basic menu on tour is:
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
Morning: Muesli with soja milk or apple juice,
During the day: Peanut butter sandwiches, Bananas or other fresh fruit, Trail mix or peanuts, Orange juice
Evening. Rice and a tin of beans, olive oil and tabasco.
If I find somewhere that sells tofu, or texturised soja protein, then that gets to be a luxury meal. Pasta occasionally...
I eat this day in, and day out on tour, for months on end. Cheap and nutritious. I think I could live on it forever
#25
Senior Member
I eat plenty of tinned beans, oats, rice and lentil burriots. Pasta and tomato sauce is doable too. I'm just a vegetarian but I don't eat a lot of eggs and dairy on tour. Peanut butter cooked into oats is a great way to start the day. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches are great too. Multivitamins are cheap enough too if you are worried about vitamins and minerals.