How to Find Healthy Food on the Go

Traveling can be hard on one’s diet. From disrupted meal times and jet lag to unfamiliar surroundings and lower-than-usual energy, it can be difficult to find quality, nourishing food in a new place. Use my tried-and-true tips to find healthy food on the go and maintain good health on your journey.

Vegan Coconut Yogurt Bowl at La Comissura Café Vegan Food in Seville Spain Photographed by Luxury Travel Writer and Photographer Annie Fairfax

Above: La Comissura in Sevilla, Spain

The Search Begins at Home

If you’re like me and have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong preferences, start researching where you’d like to eat before you leave home. Since I have celiac disease, I always start searching for “Gluten-free food in city name,” before I even book my trip. This helps me get an idea of how many options I’ll have. If there are plenty of options, as is common in larger cities, I know I won’t need to stress.

Don’t just search on Google. Check social media like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond. Chances are someone has already done some digging into halal, kosher, vegan, or allergy-friendly spots in your destination. If they haven’t, consider doing your fellow travelers a solid and make a post or review about your experience traveling. You’ll make the next person’s job easier!

Words Matter

Whether you’re sticking to a special diet, avoiding allergens, or tracking your macros, be sure to search for the right thing. I often find healthy, allergy-friendly spots to eat when I search for the following terms, even if they’re not exact matches for what I’m seeking:

Farm-to-table
Gluten-Free
Handcrafted
Healthy
Locally-sourced
Organic
Plant-based
Vegan
Vegetarian

While I’m not vegan, restaurants and cafés with vegan options tend to be more mindful of others’ dietary concerns. Check them out and explore their menus. You might find your new favorite spot!

Seek Out Your Favorite Foods

Another tactic I use, as someone with allergies who tries to have at least one healthy meal per day when traveling, is to seek out things I know I love and that will fit my needs. I often seek out Japanese or Thai food (almost all of it is gluten-free or can be easily made so), smoothies, açai bowls, salads, seafood, and organic restaurants. If there’s a type of food you find works for your dietary needs, look for that when you travel. It sounds simple, but it’s often the best tactic to find something that works for you.

I recently tried vegan Norwegian food at Nordvegan, which was plant-based and gluten-free, and positively fell in love! Vegan restaurants often have great options for me, and they staff people who understand allergies. That means I’m always integrating vegan options into my travel diet.

The Shipwright's Daughter Restaurant in Mystic Connecticut New England East Coast Sustainable Fine Dining Restaurants Written and Photographed By Luxury Travel Writer Annie Fairfax

Above: The Shipwright’s Daughter

When All Else Fails, Head to the Grocery

Sometimes, especially in rural areas, I can’t find gluten-free foods that are also pescatarian. I bring my own snacks when I travel, which helps, but they don’t replace fresh fruits, vegetables, or fish. So, I head to the grocery store and stock up on staples instead. Some groceries even have prepared foods that work in a pinch.

If you know you’re traveling somewhere with few food options that meet your needs, book a place with a kitchen so you can make and store your own food.

As a bonus, I’ve always loved checking out grocery stores in different places. Even different regions within the United States have a variety of specialty goods that I can’t find anywhere else. It’s even better when I travel abroad. Shopping at grocery stores allows me to try new regional things I wouldn’t have done otherwise.