Vegetarians, I need help.

Question

I have been a vegetarian for almost three months now. The only problem is my job. I work in outside sales so I don't have a regular lunch hour. I try to pack my lunch as often as I can, but it gets difficult. I start work about 8am and can get home at 8pm, or as late as 1am. I have to eat when I can, but Wendy's baked potato is getting a little old. I don't want to go the fry route so I wanted to know what other options are there. Of course I know most places offer salads. What are your favorites out there? Also are there any "vegetarian traps" that I should know about. I know certain Mexican restaurants offer beans and rice, but some cook them with animal products. I have read also that some fast food restaurants use meat flavorings in their french fries, sour cream with gelatin, and the mono- and diglycerides in their milkshakes come from animals. Are there anymore out there?

Answer 1

I really like the veggie sub from Subway (ask them to change the gloves before they make it if you're paranoid about it). Burger King sells a veggie burger, which is microwaved and not really very tasty. Taco Bell doesn't have animal fat in their beans, so I think they're pretty safe. The only thing you need to worry about, if you're fanatical about it, is that pretty much ALL of your food will come into contact with meat in the back of the restaurant. Workers rarely change their gloves and cleaning surfaces like grills aren't cleaned every time to accomodate vegetarian food. Your baked potato was handled by the same person who slapped the meat patty down on the grill two seconds before, just keep that in mind.

The only chain restaurant that I know of that flavors their fries with meat is McDonalds, and I avoid them like the plague. NOTHING there is vegetarian (except the ice cream and milkshakes). Also, be careful of the yogurt that they sell at Wendy's and McDonalds, because they have gelatin.

If you don't have the time to pack a real lunch, maybe you could look into frozen vegetarian lunches? Amy's brand has some yummy organic frozen food, like lasagna, pizzas, burritos, enchiladas.  Also, Boca started selling boxes of "chicken" patties that come with the bun already on them. It can't get much easier than popping it in the microwave! If you have time during your lunch break you can drive to the grocery store and pick out nutritious food, or eat the salad bar there (It's fresher than fast food).

Good Luck!

Edit: I know most larger gas stations have microwaves. I'm sure if you buy a drink or something they'd let you use the microwave to heat up your food.  Invest in lots of ice packs (or throw a bunch of frozen water bottles in your lunch bag... it always worked for me) and try to keep your cooler in the shade if possible

Answer 2

Is it possible for you to go home for a lunch break?  Are any of your clients near your home?

Chipotle's black beans are vegan, but the pinto beans are not vegetarian.  Everything else but the meat is suitable for a vegetarian (and everything else but the meat and dairy is suitable for a vegan).

California Tortilla and Moe's Southwest Grill also offer vegetarian options.

If there's an Asian-type place on your route, they might be good, but do make sure they don't use fish sauce.

Are there any pizza places along your route?  A cheese pizza loaded with veggies should work for an ovo-lacto vegetarian.

Go to www.happycow.net or www.vegdining.com to find vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants in your area.

Answer 3

mabe you should go to the store and pack veggies in a bowl wit a top and put the dressing in a little container and also you can buy vegetirian soup.

Answer 4

I don't know of anywhere that would let you bring in outside food to microwave.  I go to taco bell a lot and just sub beans instead of meat.  My favorite there is the taco pizza.  Taco Bell does use gelatin in their sour cream though so make sure you ask them to hold that.  Otherwise a lot of restaurants now have at least one or two vegetarian options, I know our local mexican and chinese restaurants have a vegetarian menu that has several options and I'm in a small town in Missouri so it sometimes I feel like the only vegetarian in a 100 mile radius.  Subway is also great option to since they do have the veggie sub that is only $5 right now.  Good luck.

Answer 5

first i don't think the meat flavorings come from actual meat.  a lot of artificial flavorings have been being used for years...and we have been none the wiser to them.  second, are you a true vegetarian, as in you won't even eat eggs or milk or fish?  if so, then i think your best bet is to just pack your lunch, plain and simple.  if you don't want to make your own salad, bring loose stuff like a bag of carrots, individual pieces of fruit, all of which are much better to eat on the run than ANYTHING from a fast food restaurant...and then you aren't killing it with fattening salad dressings, either.  the best part is these things, while I personally like my fruit cold from the refriderator, do not have to be refriderated and allow you some leeway in regard to having to travel with your lunch pack in a vehicle.  then of course, there is the ton of money  you will be saving!!!

Answer 6

Main stream Restaurants -----

- Grilled Cheese sandwich

- Veggie Omelet

- Veggie sub

- Fried egg sandwich

- Cheese or veggie pizza

- Pasta without the meat

- veggie burgers

- Mac and cheese

Also most ethnic restaurants have vegetarian choices.  

They sell a cooler for your car that plugs into the cigarette lighter.

A mom and pop type restaurant will probably heat something for you in the microwave if your buying something also.

Answer 7

I am a vegetarian.

You should try indian food, and mexican, because both are cooked not fried. Indian food has lots of vegetarian varitaies but be careful to not ask for anythig like "Pakora", there fried. You can get rice and "chappati" there  which is cooked.All indian restaraunts offer such food.

In mexican Try tacobells crunchwrap, mexican pizza, 7 layer burrito, and veg tacos. Chipotle has burritos, tacos, bowl burritos and chips&slasa/guacamole.