You have your routines all worked out for your raw-foods diet at home. You know now what to shop for and where; you know how long preparation is going to take; and you've purchased the blenders, slicers, etc., that you need. But what happens when you hit the road (or the air, for that matter)? How can you manage this if you have to pack it? Of course, how long you’ll need to provide your own foods is an important factor so take that into account when you use the following recommendations. If you are going to need provisions for more than a day or two, you’ll need nonperishables at least toward the end of that period of time.
Snacks
It's wise to have plenty of snacks on hand because you may have to rely on them for nourishment if you can't find a place to get a raw-foods meal right away. Of course, you’ll also want to plan your travel so you can count on finding them at your destination. See “Five Best Countries to Visit for Raw Foodists” and “Five More Best Countries to Visit for Raw Foodists” for help in choosing raw-foodist-friendly destinations.
Following are some suggestions:
- Fresh vegetables
- Carrot sticks
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Dehydrated vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- White potatoes (dehydrating with salt and vinegar makes these especially tasty)
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Fresh fruits
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pears
- Dried fruits
- Apricots
- Apples
- Pears
- Raisins
- Prunes
- Figs
- Dates
- Raw cookies or snack bars made in your dehydrator at home
- Raw crackers – wonderful when you’re craving salt
- Granola – make a big batch in your dehydrator before you leave
- Nuts
- Raw almonds
- Raw peanuts
- Raw pecans
- Raw walnuts
- Raw Organic Food Bars (available in some organic grocery stores)*
Bee pollen packs a load of nutrition in a small package. It might be wise to take some of it along to fill in the gaps and to make certain you’re getting all the nutrition you need. Pollen can provide the following nutritional support when you’re traveling:
- Assure that your diet includes all major nutritional components
- Improve physical and intellectual output
- Strengthen resistance to disease
- Heal disorders such as those in the gastrointestinal system, glands, and vital organs
- Restore equilibrium to all bodily functions
- Cleanse by eliminating sludge and waste materials
Planning Ahead
Before you leave home, do a google search for organic grocery stores within walking distance (or driving distance if you’re going to rent a car) of your hotel. For example, you can probably get a google map of the city and identify their location. You can buy salad in bulk from an organic salad bar. You can also buy pre-packaged guacamole, but look at the label–it might have dairy products in it. Olive tapenade is good for dipping carrot or celery sticks or the crackers you brought with you. Stock fresh fruit for your hotel room to keep you going. You can buy a bag of pre-washed greens and make a salad right in the bag using olive oil and raw nuts.
You’ll probably want to avoid room service unless you can find some raw foods on the menu. The kitchen will have to make some exceptions about what they deliver via room service, but most hotels try to satisfy their guests. It's worth a try. You can order fruit for breakfast and two salads from the dinner menu instead of one. The kitchen can probably provide oil and vinegar.
Packing all of these items can be a challenge. However, there are many insulated tote bags and many pieces of luggage specifically designed to carry extra things comfortably that can be obtained fairly inexpensively now. For example, many suitcases have an extra zippered section that can expand to include extra items. When you have used your foods, you can zip it back up and have a regular-size suitcase for your trip home. Wheels are fairly standard on luggage nowadays, so if your case is extra-heavy, you will still be able to manage it without help. Even for carry-ons, there are many revolutionary new devices that will make it easier to manage your food. There are many outlet-type luggage sites such as eBags online where you can shop for exactly what you need. Most cities of any size also have discount stores where you can find quality luggage at very low prices. It might be well just to equip yourself with a set of luggage and carriers for future trips as well as the one you’re planning right now. If you’re planning to go overseas, remember that you must have sturdy luggage and you may have to meet some special criteria for acceptability. Also, you will need to check with customs officials to determine whether the country or countries you’re visiting may forbid some of the foods you’re taking with you from being taken in.
*Look at this website for some ideas: www.smartmonkeyfoods.com.
By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari
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