Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian? Are you sure those are the only two options in a restaurant? Look around us. More options are developing as we speak.

My grandparents had standard food options – daily vegetables and grains and meat, fish or egg for special occasions. My parents too stuck to the same and diversified into having more eggs than meat or fish. This was also worth cooking for more people such as in large families than small nuclear families.

Today there are many restaurants around us and particularly in cities, dining out is a part of weekly family outing, sometimes more frequently. Moreover, awareness and preferences are demanding restaurants adapt to different options.  

How is it being done?

Non-Vegetarianism is further sub-categorized into Eggetarian (individuals eat only egg), Pescatarians (individuals do not eat meat but consume fish and seafood), Pollotarians (individuals consume poultry but no other types of meat; may consume dairy and egg), Flexitarians (individuals primarily eat a vegetarian diet but occasionally include meat or fish), Omnivore (most common type of non-vegetarian, consuming all types of meat (red meat, poultry, and fish) as well as other animal products like dairy and eggs.)

Then there are the usual suspects. Vegetarian (individuals who eat no meat and no egg), Semi- vegetarian (individuals consume red meat and poultry at least once a month, and fish at least once a month but less than once a week), Vegan (individuals avoid all animal products including along with all dairy products, eggs, and honey).

Whewwww……Is that it?

Well, it doesn’t end there. With the increase in travel from remote areas to cosmopolitan cities, more and more consideration is given to the food preferences of travelers- particularly on the grounds of religious sentiments/ guidelines. Some of them which are commonly seen around the globe are here.

Jain (lacto-vegetarian diet that strictly adheres to the principle of non-violence and excludes all types of meat, seafood, and eggs, as well as root vegetables like potatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots),Halal (food that adheres to specific guidelines, including the method of animal slaughter, ensuring humane treatment and quick, clean cuts), Kosher (Foods must be prepared according to guidelines of Judaism which includes meat and dairy products cannot be consumed together, requiring separate utensils and preparation areas and certain animals only are considered kosher, including those that chew the cud and have split hooves such as cows and sheep). Buddhist (no meat or alcohol), Rastafarian Ital diet (it reflects a connection to the earth and a rejection of Western consumerism).

Travel Food choices

London, Dubai, Mumbai, New York are amongst many cities around the globe actively pursuing initiatives to make variable food options available to travellers and residents alike. Here in the Middle East, increasing number of foreign expats are making UAE their home. One can be rest assured that they will not be disappointed and won’t have to carry their food from home whilst travelling.

Important Considerations

Most restaurants have options available even for very specific dietary requirements. Supermarkets too have clearly marked areas and food labels giving information on ingredients.

However, for those who are more flexible and/or have no restrictions, it might be an excellent idea to leave our traditional cuisine at home and try out the different cuisine of the country you are travelling to.  Afterall, that is one of the components of experiential travel that creates a lasting impression and makes people from different cultures connect with each other.