Visiting US!
Hello!
I am in the early stages of planning a 3 month road trip around America and am just finding out as much as I can before the trip...
I am a strict vegetarian (No meat, fish, chicken etc, no by-products (whey, gelatine, etc) - but I do eat free range eggs and milk). How easy is it to pick up veggie food in supermarkets? Are foods usually labelled clearly if they're vegetarian? As I'll be camping a lot I'll need lots of tinned/ dried/ preserved food. I've had a quick look at some things online and there seem to be all manner of animal bits in foods that should be vegetarian!
Is it likely I'll have to research smaller co-ops and health food shops to stock up on supplies?
Also, how easy is it to eat out as a veggie? What should I look out for and are restaurants usually accomodating? I don't really want to be eating by-products unknowingly!!
Many thanks for any help you can pass my way! And sorry if I sound a little ignorant, I've never been to the US before!
Best wishes,
Steph
Atlanta has lots of veg friendly restaurants. Here's a few:
Soul Vegetarian
Chinese Buddha (24 hrs)
Cafe Sunflower
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill (24 hrs)
I don't know of any off of the top of my head in Stone Mtn and Athens, but I'm sure there will be something somewhere that you can eat. Vegetarianism is a "growing trend" now, and most places have a veggie burger.
It's pretty easy to find staple foods wherever you go -- fruits, veggies, nuts, pastas, rice, beans (read can labels, some have pigs in them.. but they're labeled as such!). However, if you're looking for vegetarian specialty foods, that can be tough in smaller places. The thing about the US is that it is EXTREMELY big and diverse. I've found that my friends from the UK often don't realize how huge this place is and how different it is from one place to the next. From what I've heard, parts of the south and the middle of the country are the worst for veggies.
Yes, do visit Athens, GA. It is a very cool town and quite veg-friendly. The Grit is a legendary vegetarian restaurant. Barberitos is a great burrito joint. There is also a chain health food store called Earth Fare.
you'll be going right through where i live in central texas! where around here are you planning on stopping? austin is REALLY easy to eat vegan, but outside of austin is more difficult.
I've not researched texas that much yet so I'm afraid I don't know.
I have oneee last question though! This time about bread! Over here, some of the bakeries (and even supermarket bakeries) grease the tins with lard (it lasts 3 times as long as veg oil apparently *sigh*) so it's risky buying anything that isn't pre-packaged - is that the same with you? How about bread/ buns in restaurants etc - do you trust those to be ok?
You've all been brilliantly helpful though, I can't thank you enough :)
I haven't heard about lard. Lard is pretty frowned upon here. A lot of breads have whey or honey in them. If you're in a health food store, check the freezer section for some good vegan breads. I like Food of Life brand, especially Genesis style (sprouted grains, seeds & nuts).
I don't eat bread in restaurants, unless it's sourdough. When I'm eating out and get a sandwich I ask for it to be on toasted sourdough.
Thought of a couple of more things that may be helpful -
You mentioned national parks and your route takes you by many. A fantastic, must have book for planning your trip and bringing with you is :
"National Geographic" Guide to the National Parks of the United States (National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States) (Paperback)http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XW8KRWJ5L._SL500_AA240_.jpg
You can get it at Amazon in the UK. My wife and I have visited most of the large National Parks in the 48 contiguous states - we love our National Parks. We have bought the last two editions of this book. Here is the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Geographic-Guide-United-States/dp/0792253221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220675045&sr=8-1
Also, if you will be camping in the National Parks in prime season (June/July/August) you better try to get reservations in advance (well in advance - like 6 months in advance) or you may not get a camp site in the park. Here is a link for such reservations:
http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundSearchResult.do?topTabIndex=CampingSpot
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On the food issue, one thing you need to be aware of are problems with salad dressings. Many salad dressings here may contain eggs/mayonnaise/Worcestershire sauce (contains Anchovies)/gelatin. Lots of food products here simply list "Natural Flavor" as an ingredient - with no further description. To avoid these problems, I have carried a small bottle of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar with me on some trips.
Ooh fabulous! I'll be sure to buy that book asap!
Also, I've got to go over to the US for some treatment in November (for 3 weeks; 8-29th). It's in Torrance, CA but we're probably staying in El Segundo near LA airport. I'm not well enough to do very much but will try and have a few days out and do some Christmas shopping (YEY!), so if anyone knows the area and can give me some tips on things to do/ see/ eat/ shop that would be great. Any places to avoid?
We're in self catering so I'll find a Trader Joes nearby and stock up on supplies. We'll probably hire a car too, as I've heard it's hard to get around without one?
You'll be fine there. There's more up the 405 towards Santa Monica, but there's still plenty of veg-friendly grocery stores and veg restaurants. You can look them up on a map at Happy Cow.
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