Recently, Rutavi, who is taking part in the Rickshaw Run 2015 asked me for a few tips on how to stay vegetarian on the trip, and our conversation resulted in she asking me if I could write a proper article on” how to stay vegetarian on a road trip”
So, here we go! 🙂
Being a vegetarian on a road trip isn’t an easy task; but it definitely isn’t unachievable, especially in a country like India!
A 2700 km road race sure isn’t a cake walk and if your stomach isn’t well taken care of, you are in for a bad bad time! Headaches, giddiness, and weakness are just a few side effects of not eating well!
So here are a few food and eating habits you must keep in mind while you are busy focussing on the race :
- A heavy breakfast and a satisfying lunch are very important!
- Instead of visiting a restaurant for lunch every single time, keep your eyes open for the road side dhabas and stalls! Many times , they will serve you some delicious authentic vegetarian local fare that not only will be low on oil and fat, but will be cooked in a clean and healthy kitchen too! Am saying this out of personal experience!
- Always carry a stock of cashewnuts, pistachios, almonds, walnuts and raisins in a zip pouch with you! A handful of these really help keep your energy levels in place!
- Another thing that usually helps is, carry in individual packets, a dry mixture of upma (you can make these at home yourself by roasting rava, urad dal, some curry leaves and green chillis in some ghee/oil or buy the ready breakfast mix packets available in the market) and just pour in some hot water and you are good to go!
- The gujju in me always ensures carrying my nani’s theplas and khaati kairi and trust me, they are a life saver; from midnight cravings to not finding a decent place to have a meal at or just the want to have ghar ka khaana; these theplas really help!
- Obviously you have your fruits and vegetables that are available all across, one can also carry chaat masala (for fruits) and a mixture of salt and red chilli powder in equal quantities (to sprinkle on your freshly cut cucumber and tomatoes).
- Last, but not the least be well hydrated; along with your bottle of water, ensure you have a bottle of nimbu pani or shikanji at all times with you!
(Photograph credits : Ayenxz Abraham on flickr)
