Eating vegan on the go
By Hannah
Market days, festivals and long journeys all have one thing in common: it is easy to end the day having eaten three brownies and a bag of crisps. With a little preparation, eating well on the go is not difficult.
Pack a base
Even if you plan to buy lunch, carry something that will keep you going if the queues are long:
- a wrap with hummus, grated carrot and spinach;
- a pot of bean or lentil salad;
- a handful of nuts and some dried fruit;
- fruit that travels well, like apples, satsumas and bananas;
- a flask of soup in winter.
Choosing at the stalls
Market food leans towards the indulgent, and that is part of the fun. To balance the day, look for dishes built around beans, lentils, chickpeas or tofu: curries, dhal, falafel wraps and burrito bowls are filling and give you protein. Add a side of salad or slaw where you can.
On the road
Service stations and train station shops have improved a lot. Most now stock vegan sandwiches and wraps, and many coffee chains offer plant milks as standard. Still, choice can be thin late at night, which is when that packed wrap comes in useful.
Drinks
Water first. Large halls and summer fields are dehydrating, and thirst is easily mistaken for hunger. A refillable bottle is accepted almost everywhere now.
A few simple habits
- Have a proper breakfast before you go: porridge with fruit and seeds keeps you going.
- Eat lunch before you are starving, and before the peak queues.
- Save the treat for when you have eaten something more substantial.
If you are newly vegan and wondering about nutrients like vitamin B12, read our vegan nutrition basics. Going to a big event soon? See your first vegan festival.
