If you’re like me, you like to travel and try new foods from different cultures, but it isn’t always easy as a vegetarian. During Spring break, I took a trip to Guatemala. Having been to Panama before, I knew that I could survive as a vegetarian in Central and South America on rice and beans, but that was never my concern. The real concern was that I would not get a taste of Guatemalan Cuisine as a vegetarian, yet I did through several dishes, and drinks that’d I’d like to share with you all.
When You Wake Up in Guatemala
Photo by David Tregaskis
The staples of every good breakfast are coffee or orange juice, along with tropical fruits, black beans, mild salsa, queso fresco and a basket of tortillas or toast. Breakfast would sometimes include eggs, making breakfast similar to huevos rancheros.
When You Need a Mid-Afternoon Meal
Photo by David Tregaskis
Lunch was often quite similar to breakfast, with black beans, salsa, fresh guacamole, rice, and a basket of tortillas. The only difference was the protein, which was usually chicken or fish.
However, as a vegetarian I would choose corn tamales or stick with Vegetariana, a surprisingly common option on most menus, consisting of vegetables along with the staple foods.
When You’re Going Out For Dinner
Photo by David Tregaskis
I traveled to Antigua, Panajachel, and Santiago Atitlán, all places that tourists visit, so, it was no surprise when I saw pizza, pasta, and even tofu burgers. But, the dish that really caught my eye in Panajachel was the vegetarian lasagna and I felt the need to try it. It’s good that I kept my expectations low because I would not call it lasagna due to the lack of sauce, ricotta cheese and overcooked vegetables and noodles.
When You Need A Drink
Photo by David Tregaskis
The next day I traveled to Chichicastenango, where I ate market food, such as fresh corn tortillas, pan dulce, and a refreshing fruit drink, that I later regretted drinking because of the tap water it was most likely made with.
Aside from my fruit drink, I had to try Guatemala’s traditional beer, Gallo Cerveza. It is light, mild and tastes almost like Bud Light.
Photo by David Tregaskis
When You Want a Snack
Photo by Sarah Silbiger
The last couple days in Guatemala I didn’t eat much except for toast, but that doesn’t mean I did not have a good time because toast can be an adventure of flavors all on its own.
At the end of my trip, I began to feel much better and learned to be careful about what you eat at markets and not to order food that you would at home when traveling.
For all you vegetarians out there, do not be afraid to travel because of the limitations of our vegetarianism. If I can do it, I know you can, too. Just be careful what you eat, and you’ll be fine.