Deciding where you ultimately lie on the vegetarian spectrum is a journey. But once you’ve landed at your happy veggie place—be it Meatless Mondays, vegan, or anything in between—you at some point will likely find yourself on a more traditional sort of trip (you know, the kind that includes luggage and an airplane ride or long car ride). And when you do, the road is likely to present you with some challenges that are different from the ones you’ll encounter at home. For starters, you’re eating more meals out. You’re probably also eating as a group and may have to find dining options that make different people with varying opinions happy—if the people in your family ever disagree, of course (ha!). What’s more, all of this communal eating may make you feel under scrutiny more than normal.
On the positive side, however, having real preferences about the food you eat can also enhance and enrich your experiences as a world traveler. Think about it: food is one of the best ways to get to know a culture or region. And by going out of your way to find what the city you’re visiting has to offer in terms of vegetarian food, you are bound to learn something new about that place. It will also guarantee you get off the beaten path—meaning that instead of going to TGI Friday’s for the eight thousandth time for the same meal you could get at home, you get to try something completely unique to that corner of the world (of course, sometimes chain restaurants do come in handy; in the previous chapter you read about some easily found franchises you can always count on at home and when you travel). The best part: if you find a new food or recipe you like, you get to bring the memory home with you and do your best to recreate it—and that’s one of the best souvenirs ever.
Traveling with ease on a plant-based diet depends on a few things: finding great spots to eat and pick up food, being prepared, keeping an open mind, and managing the expectations of your travel companions are the overriding themes that will ensure your happy trails. Do you have a summer vacation, weekend trip, or college tour coming up? Here are a few tips that will help you on your journey:
1. Google away. When I find out I’m going to be visiting a new city, it’s not long before I’m at my computer searching “name of city” (insert actual name of city here) and “vegetarian.” Your results will pull up everything from restaurant websites to blog posts of reviews to local vegetarian enthusiast websites. You may also find specific websites that may be worth checking out on their own: happycow.net includes a directory of vegetarian restaurants and health food stores around the world; CHOW.com is a general food message board where people post questions like “where can I go in Oahu with a vegetarian?” and “can you recommend vegetarian-friendly but not exclusively vegetarian restaurants in NYC?” (The site is not focused on vegetarian food at all, but is a great resource for eaters of all kinds.) I’ve found terrific veg-friendly restaurants this way, but also some more surprising finds—gelato di soia, or nondairy soy milk gelato in Italy, and ice cream made from nothing but bananas in Hawaii, for instance (what, you don’t travel the world sampling ice cream?).
2. Find a farmers’ market. In the opinion of some travelers, it’s not a true visit to Philadelphia unless you’ve had a cheesesteak, and it simply wouldn’t be a trip to Hawaii without a pig cooked underground at a luau. In my opinion, however, some of the best local delicacies are the foods that come from the earth—foods that just happen to be veg-friendly, how convenient! For instance: I didn’t think I cared much about figs until I tasted them freshly picked from a tree in Greece. And the super-sweet papaya I had on Kauai beats that creepy looking pig with an apple in its mouth any day! Stopping by a farmers’ market means you’ll find the most local and in-season produce the region has to offer—in other words, the best. Farmers’ markets may also have other items for sale such as local delicacies like the frozen maple syrup pops I found in Montreal or artisan-made crafts like the beautiful hand-dyed yarn you’ll find at the Union Square Greenmarket, where I go when I’m at home in New York. And like veg-friendly restaurants, farmers’ markets are also fun places to see some local flavor on display. Many have entertainment like music or street performers and in general are great for people-watching and hobnobbing with local residents. The website www.localharvest.org will help you find farmers’ markets around the United States.
3. Survey the locals. If you know someone who lives in the area you’re about to visit, ask her what spots you should check out. Even if she is not a VegHead herself, she’s bound to know someone who is or know of a veg-friendly restaurant because it’s just plain good. And if you don’t know anyone who lives in the area, enlist social media. Post a message on Facebook or Twitter—chances are, somebody will know somebody who can send you in the right direction.
4. Be open-minded and ready to ask questions. Just because a restaurant isn’t a designated vegetarian one doesn’t mean they don’t offer plenty of veg-friendly dishes. Scour menus for something that suits your tastes. And if you don’t see anything, ask the server if they can prepare something special for you. Nobody’s ever been kicked out of a restaurant for being a vegetarian and you’re not going to be the first. I promise.
5. Make a grocery run. When you get settled in your hotel, ask an adult to accompany you to the nearest supermarket (if you didn’t notice one on the way in, ask the concierge or look it up on a computer or smartphone). Pick up a bag full of things that will make your stay easier—depending on your needs, that might mean a carton of soy milk so you can enjoy cereal from the breakfast buffet, or a few pieces of meatless jerky for the night your family wants to hit the Texas BBQ joint. If your room has a mini-fridge, you can even stock up on items that need to be kept cool like yogurt and fresh fruit.
6. Keep protein in your purse. You’re pretty much always going to find something to eat. But too often, that something may be a plate of raw or cooked vegetables and not much more. And you know that protein is crucial to feeling satisfied, and that going too long without any puts you on the fast track to general grumpiness and familial bickering. (That and forgetting your headphones. DON’T FORGET YOUR HEADPHONES!) A Baggie of salted pistachios or cashews isn’t a lot to carry around, but is a godsend when you’re about to eat a box of iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots for lunch at a highway rest stop. Sprinkle the nuts on top to instantly turn that weak excuse for a salad into a meal. Other protein add-ons you can keep with you, depending on your tastes and your access to a refrigerator or cooler: a small can or foil packet of salmon or tuna; an individual tub of hummus; a bag of crunchy chickpea munchies (see page 216 for recipe); mini Babybel cheese; yogurt; vegetarian jerky like Primal Strips.
7. Stay cool. If one of your travel companions—parent, sibling, or other—decides that mealtime is an opportunity to nag you about what you’re eating, gently remind them that you’re on vacation too. And that means that you deserve some space from their constant commentary. Agree to disagree and to put the conversation on hold for the duration of your stay. If that doesn’t work, take a deep breath, order the food you’d like to eat instead of what they think you should, and move on with confidence that you are making the right decisions for you.
So now that you’re ready to take off, VegHead, here is a brief guide to some of the best vegetarian or veg-friendly spots some of the most-visited cities in this country have to offer. Since you’ll most likely be traveling with family or friends, remember that compromise is key. This list is focused on restaurants that will appeal to everyone—vegetarian and vegan spots that your meateating relatives should love and omnivore establishments that will serve your brother a burger but won’t leave you lunchless. Oh, and while dessert is usually pretty vegetarian-friendly, it’s not always good to the vegans—so I’ve included a handful of egg- and dairy-free places where everyone in your party can enjoy a sweet treat. Bon voyage!
This Middle Eastern take-out spot doesn’t shout “vegetarian”—but it just happens to be (items that contain egg and milk are noted on the menu). In addition to excellent pita sandwiches like falafel, salads, and fries, you can also try a signature smoothie like date-lime-banana or design your own.
This pizza-focused non-veg place has loads of lacto-ovo options on its regular menu. It also boasts an extensive vegan menu where dairy- and egg-avoiders can find dishes with animal-free “cheese,” “sausage,” and other foods they usually have to skip.
This old-fashioned ice cream parlor and sweet shop is seriously newfangled—everything in the store is completely vegan. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that you have to be vegan to like it. With hard-scooped flavors like cookies ’n’ cream and PB & J, soft-serve ones like cake batter, and packages of animal-product-free candies and baked goods, this spot is a treat for all.
The three locations of this totally organic and vegan spot appeal to meat-eaters and VegHeads alike with super-filling meals like their spicy BLT wrap, riso primavera, and supreme burrito. It’s also a great place for celebrity sightings; it is frequented by stars like Russell Brand, Tobey Maguire, and Lea Michele.
Cooler than the average diner, the two locations of this non-veg restaurant take care of all their customers—from greasy specials like their swinger burger to keep your meat-freak brother happy to stuffed grilled cheese (lacto-ovo) and veggie joe (their lacto-ovo or vegan version of a sloppy joe, depending on how you order it) to put a smile on your face. Save room for milkshakes and dessert—dairy- and egg-free options included.
The location of this 100 percent vegan and organic restaurant makes it extra noticeable. In San Francisco’s taqueria-heavy Mission District, Gracias Madre is surrounded by traditional Mexican restaurants that are likely to use cooking methods that place meat where you’re least expecting it (like in your rice, tortillas, and beans). Vegans and vegetarians alike can eat in peace here (carnivores too, since the food rocks).
A seafood restaurant that’s good for VegHeads (and not just the pescetarians among us)? Call it weird—but that’s what they call themselves, so they probably won’t mind. This restaurant has traditional from-the-ocean fare like clam chowder and fish and chips, but it also has vegan options like “hail seitan” (a fish-free fish and chips) and simpler veg choices like veggie-based tacos. Oh, and frickles (you know, fried pickles). Who you callin’ weird, weirdo?
Even Homer Simpson wouldn’t blink at these 100 percent organic and vegan donuts (though I wouldn’t bother mentioning it, if you do run into Homer any time soon—what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him). Both the San Francisco and Oakland locations serve up finger-licking varieties like salt caramel and orange creamsicle (coffee shops around town also carry their donuts, so keep your eyes open for them).
If you’ve never tasted Ethiopian food, Washington, DC, is the perfect place to do so—the city has one of the highest Ethiopian populations in the country. And while most Ethiopian restaurants offer at least some veg options, Meskerem is known for their meat-free meals. Oh and added bonus—you get to eat with your hands (scooping up saucy, vegetable-y stews with injera, a spongy yummy flat bread).
This local landmark—a favorite among celebrities and politicians—made even bigger headlines in 2009 when soon-to-be inaugurated President Obama paid it a visit (for the record, he had a chili dog and cheese fries—but we’ll forgive him). Who would expect that a spot known for its meat-heavy chili, hot dogs, and burgers is also good for the VegHeads? Ben’s sells veggie chili (cheese optional), veggie dogs, and vegan burgers, as well as turkey burgers and dogs for the red-meat avoiders.
With four locations and a diverse (not strictly veg) menu that clearly labels all vegetarian and vegan options, these hip spots—the owners think of their establishments more as “community gathering places” than restaurants—will keep everyone in your family happy. In addition to food like coconut tofu bites and omelets made from locally raised cage-free eggs (attention conscious eaters!), you may also catch some local artwork, an author reading from their latest book, or an open mic poetry night.
This 100 percent vegan bakery serves sensational sweets along with savory foods like sandwiches and quesadillas. On the weekends, you can get brunch too, (with hard-to-find egg- and dairy-free pancakes, french toast, and more).
Barbecue? For vegetarians? Moe’s makes it possible with melt-in-your-mouth smoked tofu. Eat it as a hearty sandwich or as a plate with delish sides like mac-n-cheese and marinated slaw (options are a little more limited if you’re vegan). More traditional barbecue fare like pulled pork and Angus beef brisket will keep Meatheads happy. Oh, and one of the two Denver locations also houses a bowling alley.
This Boulder spot is not exclusively vegetarian—though you’d be hard pressed to find a restaurant that’s more VegHead. The chefs at The Kitchen (Next Door) are incredibly conscious about the food they serve and the ethics according to which they run their establishment. As a result, you’ll find a menu full of organic and fresh foods; the restaurant also recycles or composts most of its waste. Delicious conscious carnivore, pescetarian, lacto-ovo, and vegan options abound.
Everything at this completely vegetarian diner can be ordered vegan, even though the flavors are “as comforting and familiar as mom used to make,” with meat-mimicking meals like the BBQ Bacun Cheezeburger and the Radical Reuben. If you do go for eggs and dairy, you’ll be glad to know the eco-conscious products served here are all cage-free or hormone free.
Chicago is known for its hot dogs, and Huey’s is a great place to try them whether you’ve gone veg or not. Meat-eating members of your party can chow down on a chili cheese dog or polish sausage while you have a veggie chili dog or a vegan beer brat.
Across the Charles River in Cambridge, MA (home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), this vegetarian diner and vegan bakery features vibrant twists on old favorites like the BLT (made with tempeh bacon and balsamic-roasted tomato) and egg-optional, yumminess-mandatory omelets. Don’t miss the delectable desserts, topped with dee-lish coconut whipped cream.
These dairy-free, mostly coconut-milk-based ice creams will satisfy any sweet tooth, in crowd-pleasing flavors like salted caramel, cookies and cream, and peppermint chip (not to mention more out-of-the-ordinary but just as fabulous ones like Thai chili peanut and avocado).
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/cosmic-ray-starlight-cafe
This Magic Kingdom cafeteria offers both a veggie sandwich and vegetarian burger and gets extra points from reviewers for its toppings bar that includes grilled onions and mushrooms. Just be aware that while the burger is vegan, the bun is not—if you avoid eggs and dairy, ask for yours naked.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/tangierine-cafe
This take-out spot in the Morocco section of EPCOT’s World Showcase offers a vegan platter with couscous salad, hummus, and tabbouleh.
The Downtown Disney location of this all-natural bakery (the first two are in Los Angeles and, you got it, NYC) specializes in cupcakes, cookies, and other sweets that are free of common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, casein, and eggs—making their products completely vegan in the process. Their baked goods are so beautiful and tasty, however, you may not even notice.
If your group is willing to venture out of the park, you’ll find a vegan haven just north of downtown Orlando featuring hearty fare like pizzas, sheep’s pie (a meat-free version of shepherd’s pie), and a family-friendly weekend brunch menu.
Disney Disclaimer: Disney is not known for being super veg-friendly—however frequent fliers to the Magic Kingdom insist that “cast members” are always willing to help. Forget wishing upon a star; asking servers for veggie guidance is what it takes to make your breakfast, lunch, and dinner dreams come true.
Culinary Tourism, VegHead Style
Finding veg-friendly restaurants and other businesses is something many veg-food enthusiasts love to do when they travel. Not only do they make great food discoveries this way, but they also get the opportunity to see parts of cities they wouldn’t have otherwise. There’s actually a name for this sort of thing: culinary tourism, which means traveling in a way that lets you experience the foods and drinks that are unique to the region you’re visiting. When you focus on the vegetarian edibles that make your destination special, there is an added bonus: you’ll get a glimpse into the eco-conscious culture of that city. People who open up veg-friendly businesses tend to be extra passionate about delicious vegetarian food, sustainability, animal activism, or whatever inspired them to take that route in the first place (you don’t have to agree with everything their business represents—but isn’t someone who is emphatic about whatever it is they believe in so much more fun that someone who is all “whatever” about it?). And maybe I’m biased, but VegHeads tend to be extra interesting people, if I do say so myself. Finding a way to connect with excited, inspired people: now that’s delicious!
Sustainable Spotlight: Grazin’
In the funky little upstate town of Hudson, NY, lies an unassuming 1950s-style diner. From the outside, it looks like a place you’d go to for convenience rather than quality—but as you enter the doorway it becomes clear that this diner is something different. As stickers on the front windows indicate, Grazin’ is certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA)—in fact, it’s the first restaurant in the United States to have this distinction. AWA means that all of the meat, dairy, and eggs come from AWA-approved farms, which means it’s all been humanely raised on family farms. What’s more, the diner also puts a premium on supporting local businesses, with nearly everything they serve coming from farms within an eleven-mile radius.
As for the food? My conscious carnivore husband loved his lamb burger, and I ate every last bit of The Bello, Grazin’s lacto-ovo portobello mushroom sandwich (it is topped with a delicious buttermilk aioli). And we both devoured the addictive organic french fries. Warning: when we were there, Grazin’ wasn’t especially vegan-friendly. If you’re off dairy and eggs and decide to go there, check out the online menu beforehand so you can supplement accordingly.
Grazin’, 717 Warren Street, Hudson, NY, 12534; 518.822.9323; www.grazindiner.com
India’s Lovin’ It!
If you’ve fantasized about a meatless McDonald’s since going veg, I have good news for you—for the price of a ticket to Amritsar (an all-vegetarian spiritual center for the Sikh religion) in Northern India and 28 rupees, you can sink your teeth into that McVeggie meal you’ve longed for once and for all (technically a McAloo Tiki burger, with a spicy potato-based patty). This store is the fast-food chain’s first all-veg store in the world, and it has plans to open a second, also in India near a Hindu pilgrimage site (Hindus consider cows sacred).
If you’re reading this book, chances are at least one of the vacations you take in the next few years will involve going to look at universities (unless, of course, you’re already post–high school—in which case, get thee to www.smartgirlveg.com to share your secrets with your younger fellow VegHeads!). You already know that college is an important decision—I’m not here to stress you out about it any more than parents and guidance counselors already have. You didn’t ask, but here’s my general advice on choosing a college: there are lots of terrific ones to choose from, and whichever one you wind up at is going to be awesome. If it isn’t, you can transfer. Now go easy on yourself. I’m just here to make sure you eat well!
The school you choose will have a major impact on how you nourish yourself, particularly as a plant-based eater. Remember back in Chapter 5 when we talked about how your surroundings effect how you dine? By choosing a college to attend and a new city (or midsized or rural town) to live in, you are surrounding yourself with food options—ones that will either make it easier or harder to nourish yourself. You won’t starve if you go to a school like Iowa State University, deep in farm country and boasting a top-ranked meat science program (yes, there is such a thing). But it can help to find a school that is supportive of your eating preferences.
There’s research to be done even before you register for classes. Turn on your computer and Google “colleges for vegetarians” or something similar. Of course, there are good veg-friendly options at university dining halls all over the country, but take a pulse to see which ones are getting the most buzz at the moment. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, runs a Most Vegan-Friendly College contest. Even if you’re not vegan, the schools on this list provide great options for all VegHeads—and everyone else, since plant-based meals are not just healthy but delicious (I’ve highlighted some of the best in the “School Spotlight” boxes sprinkled throughout this chapter). While you’re at it, take to websites like collegeprowler.com to get the real dirt on how accommodating schools are to veg-eaters (and of course, take all posts with a grain of salt—students on anonymous message boards can be extra grumpy). For instance, the company that runs the cafeterias at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, boasts that they offer two vegan protein options per meal. However, a recent graduate rates the school’s food as a “D+” on the website’s “student reviews” section, noting that the so-called well-rounded offerings are “ill prepared”—specifically that “vegetarian protein options are mostly fried” and that “occasionally the protein option will consist of pasta.” Well then.
Once you do start doing the campus tour circuit, there are a few questions you should be asking to ensure you’ll be satisfied with the veggie options your school has to offer.
School Spotlight: University of California, Santa Cruz
This school observes Meatless Monday in a big way—rather than simply offering one vegetarian option, a different dining hall starts the week out by going completely veg. It also appeals to the Red Heads out there with Beefless Thursdays, in an attempt to further reduce the school’s carbon footprint, and Farm Fridays, dedicated to local, organic ingredients, at one dining hall per week. It also doesn’t hurt that the surrounding city is a hotspot for conscious eaters of all varieties—farmers’ markets, restaurants, and more abound.
Once you do begin visiting campuses, seeing and sampling the spot where you will be eating most of your meals is up there with making sure they have a major that interests you and that the dorms aren’t disaster areas. Most college tours will walk you through the freshman dining hall; I recommend taking it a step further and staying for lunch (or dinner). The salad bar might look great at a glance, but is grilled chicken the only protein option? And another thing about that ubiquitous college cafeteria salad bar—how many other options are there? This is coming from someone who subsisted on little but gigantic salads (always with chickpeas on them, thank you very much) and cheese and veggie sandwiches for the two years I lived on my college campus. No, I never went hungry. But a hot meal every once in a while would have been a welcomed change. Ask if the dining hall you’re visiting offers vegetarian options for entrees, and if so how often. Do they participate in Meatless Mondays? Are soups and other hard-to-know-what’s-in-them items clearly labeled to let you know if they’re prepared with meat? You will survive just fine at a school that doesn’t go the extra mile for veg-eaters…but life will be just a bit easier at one that does.
School Spotlight: University of Florida
A focus on sustainability has earned this school a place among PETA’s Most Vegan-Friedly College Contest winners in recent years. Their Animal Activists of Alachua group hosts an annual VegFest, featuring free veg food from local restaurants, and dining halls have a “vegan corner” that regularly features balanced meat-free meals.
The dining hall isn’t the only place you’ll eat. Campus coffee shops can be super useful places to get some work done or meet up with friends between classes. If you’re vegan, make sure the café offers soy milk so you can get through midterms wired on caffè mochas just like everyone else. And if the café serves food, do they have veg-friendly options? Also, pay attention to the food offerings in other areas of campus. There wasn’t much for me to eat between the McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Roy Rogers at my school’s student union. But hidden in the basement was this little hidden gem called the Maryland Food Co-op. Sure, it had a hippie-ish reputation, and that turned some people off. But it also had the best hummus and veggies and almond butter/apple butter/banana sandwiches anywhere on campus. OK, the only sandwiches like that on campus. They were delish, and I looked forward to days I could stop there for lunch instead of the dining hall for yet another mess of salad bar. Another trend on college campuses that is a great sign for veg-eaters is the new crop of farmers’ markets that have been sprouting up across the country. The markets tend to carry not only fruits and vegetables but also locally produced foods that can be easily used by kitchen-less dorm inhabitants like cheese, breads, and prepared salads. Some markets, like the one at University of California, Davis, even accept the campus cash plan. Super fresh veggie food with the swipe of a card? Enroll me now!
School Spotlight: Cornell University
Grab lunch at this school’s One World Cafe, a completely vegetarian cafe featuring many locally grown and natural foods. The surrounding town of Ithaca, NY is a haven for VegHeads with an assortment of veg-friendly eateries like the famous Moosewood Restaurant, well stocked grocery stores like the GreenStar Co-op, as well as many farmers’ markets and CSA options.
If you’re used to being the only VegHead in your circle of friends, finding like-minded students at college is something you can look forward to when you go off to school and meet new people. A group like University of Rochester’s SAVVY (Student Association of Vegan and Vegetarian Youth) may be just the place for you to find some sense of community. Is activism part of what brought you to your veggie ways? Perhaps joining an animal rights organization like Oberlin College’s OAR (Oberlin Animal Rights), an environmental group like Dartmouth College’s ECO (Environmental Conservation Organization), or one devoted to improving sustainable food options like Boston College’s Real Food BC would be a great way for you to find other students to protest, complain, and hang out with (you know—friends!). Or maybe you have no interest in joining one of these groups at all. But know that as a person who wants to eat good vegetarian food, it’s a plus to be on a campus with active, engaged students nudging campus authorities for the same things you want. Take note of what presence such organizations have.
School Spotlight: University of Illinois
Choose this school and you’ll never have to pack a protein again (well, not so long as you’re eating on campus). In addition to well-marked vegetarian and vegan options, dining halls have a “vegan corner” that features soy cheese and yogurt, nutritional yeast, seeds, a dried fruit and nut mix and more so you can supplement any meal that may be lacking. You can also get out of the cereal bowl at breakfast with offerings such as soy smoothies, tofu scrambles, and meatless sausage at various cafeterias.
You’re not going to eat every meal at the dining hall (thankfully!). Chances are heading off campus with friends will become part of your regular routine. Definitely spend an afternoon exploring the area surrounding any school you’re looking at, and try to eat at least one meal out to get a feel for the student hang-outs. Do they have an acceptable number of VegHead options, or do you envision four years of pre-mealing it? Can you see yourself going to these sorts of restaurants with friends? You can’t see into the future but asking these questions now will help you get a feel for what you may be signing up for if you send in a tuition deposit to this school.
The majority of college students will live off campus at some point during their four-year (or thereabouts) stay. Look for the places you’d go grocery shopping if you did need to supply your own kitchen, since chances are you’ll be looking to do just that in a year or two. Is there a local supermarket—or do off-campus students rely on boxes of cereal and instant coffee from the nearest 7-Eleven? If the town you’re exploring has a supermarket, does it carry your favorite veggie hot dogs? Not the end of the world if they don’t, of course—but availability of the foods that make your life a little easier may just nudge the school up a notch in your unscientific college ranking system. Perhaps the college town you’re exploring has a natural foods store or a food co-op—in which case, you may have access to even more veg-friendly groceries than you’d have at home. And don’t forget those campus farmers’ markets that are cropping up: they can come in handy for buying ingredients as well, a serious plus if you’ve got any culinary chops or ambitions.
School Spotlight: Bastyr University
One of the more unusual schools out there, the curriculum at Bastyr University focuses completely on natural health, offering degrees in fields of study like naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition. Unsurprisingly, its dining commons emphasizes plant-based whole foods and features plenty of meat-free and conscious carnivore options. Oh, and it’s open to the public, so you can visit if you’re passing through the Seattle area.
While it’s not a prerequisite, finding courses that match up with your VegHead values could tip the odds in a school’s favor for you. For instance, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey offers a philosophy course called Eating Right: The Ethics of Food Choices and Food Policy. At Harvard University’s Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to the Science of Soft Matter, students listen to lectures from celebrity chefs who are experts in molecular gastronomy (a style of cooking that takes the chemistry of food to a new level) and participate in lab classes where they get to eat their experiments (the course is now a popular lecture series, open to the public). And at Wesleyan University, you can enroll in Ecology of Eating: Reporting From the Fields of Science and Art, a course that looks at contemporary issues in food and ends with a creative project (the environmental studies course is cross-listed in the school’s dance department). And while these courses are among the more unique offerings on school schedules out there, it may be something a bit more common like a strong nutrition department that catches your interest—my experiences as a teenage VegHead landed this journalism major in an intro to nutrition class my first semester of college, and ultimately ended in me pursing a career in the field.