Dining Out for Vegetarians

Good news! Restaurants are adding or expanding vegan and vegetarian menu options in response to customer requests.

Menus

• Check menus for symbols such as a v or a leaf marking dishes as vegetarian or vegan.
• Don't be afraid to make a special request. At weddings, work functions or other catered events, request a vegetarian meal in advance or ask the wait staff to exchange the meat on your plate for beans or vegetables.

Dinner Parties

• If you are invited to someone's house for a meal, let your host know in advance about which foods you do not eat. You also can offer to bring a vegetarian dish to share.

Travel

• Airlines, trains and cruise ships are increasingly working to meet the needs of their vegetarian clientele. When in doubt, pack vegetarian snacks such as nuts and dried fruit or a PB & J on wheat.

Global Cuisine

Global cuisine restaurants often are ideal for vegetarians. Some caveats:

• Asian (Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese)-if you do not eat fish, ask the wait staff whether dishes contain fish or oyster sauce.
• South Asian (eg; Indian, Nepali, Pakistani, Bengali)-if you do not consume dairy, ensure dishes are prepared in avocado or coconut oil instead of butter, cream and paneer (a type of cheese)
• Mexican/Tex-Mex cuisine- Refried beans may contain lard, so ask the restaurant staff if you are concerned. If you do not eat dairy, order dishes without cheese and sour cream.

Conclusion

Keeping a few helpful tips in mind can make dining out a more rewarding experience for vegans and vegetarians.

Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/vegetarian-and-special-diets/din...