♡ VEGAN EATS - RESTAURANT TIPS PART 2 ♡
Check out Part 1 here!
2. If you’re unsure what’s safe to eat, ask the waiter for an allergy menu.
Many places provide these and some will even wash their cooking equipment or use separate utensils/ovens! Even Disney World has some vegan options and make the effort to use separate equipment safe for those with allergies to dairy and gluten. For fast-food restaurants, you can also find an allergy menu online because of food and safety regulation requirements.
3. Substitutions are your best friend.
Whether eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just drinking something, it is important to know your options and how you can substitute a certain ingredient to make something vegan!
Here are some examples from common food and drink locations - Taco Bell and Starbucks:
☆ Taco Bell
Fun Fact: You can substitute any meat for beans! Taco Bell is actually one of my go-to places when I’m on the road because there are a lot more options there in comparison to many other fast-food restaurants where the only option is an over-priced salad or fries.
ALSO -- ask for your meal FRESCO STYLE. This way, any cheese or sour cream will be substituted for pico de gallo!
(Check out this post for more information on how to eat vegan at Taco Bell.)
➥ Elizabeth’s Pick: Before I went gluten-free, I loved their Chalupa - substitute meat for refried beans and make it fresco! Their Bean Burritos are also great - make it fresco, add lettuce and rice. Add some Cinnamon Twists for dessert and you’re good to go! Now, I always order hard shell corn tacos - substitute meat for refried beans and make it fresco as well!
☆ Starbucks
Vegans need their caffeine fix too! Luckily, many Starbucks have a variety of substitute milks to choose from, such as soy, almond, coconut, and oat milk.
Pictured above are two vegan beverages on the menu -- Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink (left) and Iced Golden Ginger Drink (right).
*Always double-check to make sure a drink is completely vegan - some creams and syrups might not be vegan, for example, the caramel is vegan, but the syrup they put on top of their drinks is not!
As for food, there aren’t many vegan bakery options, but bagels are always a great choice! You can even have some guacamole on the side if you wish!
➥ Elizabeth’s Pick: My go-to order is a Pink Drink (Strawberry Acai Refresher with Coconut Milk) along with a Strawberry & Toasted Almonds Overnight Grains. (Shown above.)
4. Don’t feel bad! You’re not a nuisance for being plant-based.
Though not everyone may struggle with confidently asking waiters to make adjustments, some vegans still do. Being the only vegan at the table can often make you feel outcasted, especially if those around you are unaccepting or hostile because you have a different dietary preference/lifestyle.
Your diet is not a burden to the chef, and more often than not, restaurant waiters may be used to circumstances like this, so try not to feel bad about asking for substitutions.
At the end of the day, you deserve to eat and enjoy your meal just as much as the next person, so do what you need to do to have a good experience when dining out!
Part 1 | 2
[Images: Disney, Taco Bell, Starbucks]
