We don’t have to tell you that eating meat is not the best thing to eat if you are concerned about the planet, but it’s not always easy to not eat meat. Luckily there are more than enough alternatives nowadays, but what if you are on holiday?
October is World Vegetarian Month and in celebration of the occasion, Oliver’s Travels have completed research to find the most vegetarian-friendly countries around the world. They created the Global Vegetarian Index to rank every country from best to worst for vegetarian travellers. They calculated their Global Vegetarian Index for every country based on number of vegetarian restaurants, number of vegetarian restaurants in relation to population size and annual meat consumption per capita (kg).
Based on the Global Vegetarian Index we’ve done some research for you and selected 3 great countries to travel to if you are a real vegetarian foody!
1. Sri Lanka
The food in Sri Lanka consists mostly of seafood, one of the perks of living on an island! Sri Lanka is also known for its spices and herbs, which you will immediately notice when you arrive. This island is also known as one of the most vegetarian-and vegan-friendly countries in the world. Their food is a celebration of fresh fruit and vegetables like pandan, okra, beans, aubergine, cashews, beetroot and even potato. Some of their famous dishes are Kottu Ruoti, a veggie burger unlike any other, Hoppers, a pancake like dish, and Gotu Kola Mallung, a super green salad packed with a bunch of vitamins! Super healthy!
The Seychelles was found to be the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world for vegetarian travellers! And it’s for a reason, thanks to a combination of its low meat consumption and a high number of veggie-friendly restaurants in relation to its small population!
3. Ethiopia
Meat-free Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as long periods of vegetarian fasting, are traditional for the Orthodox Church in Ethiopia. Therefor it’s no surprise that some of the most popular traditional Ethiopian dishes are vegetarian or vegan. Try the delicious Wat, a thick stew made of vegetables and served on top of a sourdough flatbread called Injera. Make sure you also try the Chickpeas curry; absolutely magnificent!
Hmmm, I am hungry! What about you? This is a great start to discover true vegetarian dishes on your travels. Make sure you book you eco-friendly accommodation on bookdifferent.com.