My Top Tip for Healthy Food Finds While Traveling (or on the go!)
I traveled for work for many years. This was my go-to for simple, convenient, plant-based meals while traveling.
Find the Japanese Restaurant
Japanese restaurants can be a great option for healthy, plant-based meals. I often talk about my preference for no or low oil meals. Oil is not used in traditional Japanese cooking, making Japanese restaurants an easy choice.
What I order
Miso soup, edamame, avocado rolls and other veggie rolls
Depending on the restaurant, the menu may have additional vegan options.
Edamame
Brown rice avocado cucumber roll from Whole Foods Market. You may not find brown rice options, that’s ok!
Miso soup with two kinds of seaweed, scallions, radish, kale, carrot and sprouts from Ni Japanese Deli in Essex Market, NYC. Clearly labeled as vegan on the menu. There was also something green with seeds in the soup which may have been okra! My mind is blown by how much nutrition was packed into this soup, and the care that went into preparing it. Inspiring!
I ordered miso soup, kabocha squash and two rice balls. Cost: $21.48
Kabocha squash with adzuki beans from Ni Japanese Deli, NYC
Tips
If you don’t see avocado rolls on the menu, ask!
Order as many rolls and edamame as you want. Don’t leave hungry.
If you are vegan, confirm with the waitstaff that the miso soup is vegan. It may not be.
Order as close as you can to the traditional dishes that have been around for centuries, like miso soup.
Plum brown rice ball from Ni Japanese Deli, NYC
Did you know?
1 cup of white rice has less than 1 gram of fiber while brown rice has 3.5 grams and black rice has 4.7 grams
White and brown rice have roughly 7 grams of protein. Black rice is higher at 8.9 grams
Edamame has 18.5 grams of protein per cup, as well as 8 grams of fiber
If you have diabetes, the glycemic load of white rice is something to be mindful of. Brown, red, and black rice are less processed and have more fiber. Miso and edamame can add nutritional balance to white rice.
Seaweed and kale brown rice ball from Ni Japanese Deli, NYC
What’s your go-to for healthy options when you travel? Let me know in the comments below!
Additional reading
Benefits of miso soup
Thanks for reading!
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