We’ve all been there. The zombies have surrounded the house and you don’t have anything available to eat. Sure, you could try and whip up a recipe chock full of fresh veggies, grains and legumes to keep you strong, but it’s the zombie apocalypse. There’s no electricity and the grocery store is closed. Like, forever.

So what’s a plant based eater to do when the undead are a knockin’ and the kitchen just ain’t rockin’? They look in their carefully packed survival kit, of course! You see, hilarious comparisons to demon uprisings aside, pre-planning is the best course of action when you’re trying to eat vegan in an omnivorous world. You never know when a situation may arise in which you need to have something quick and easy on hand so you don’t end up with a plain baked potato and some wilted iceberg lettuce standing in as dinner.


The best defense against going hungry on a road trip, when you’re trapped on a desert island or when reloading your crossbow to protect humanity is a well planned offense. While it’s always preferable to eat whole foods, either in their natural state or whipped up into some mouthwatering recipe, sometimes that just isn’t an option and, well, vegans gotta eat too!

So here are your best bets to find yourself on top in the event that the world around you starts falling apart…or there just aren’t any plant-based options around, either one.

Dried Fruit

Portable, nonperishable and packing an energy punch, dried fruit is easy to throw into your bag for on-the-go snacking. It’s also nice to have on hand if you want to add a little zip to some oatmeal or sprinkle on top of a bagel with peanut butter when you’re out and about. You can load up on several different kinds at the bulk bins in your local grocery store, buy them prepackaged or even make your own if you’d like to be sure to avoid any of the weird additives or extra sugar that some brands contain. Of course, dried fruit is also naturally high in sugar, so be sure you do pair it with something more substantial like nuts or oatmeal, so it doesn’t spike your blood sugar. Plus, dried fruit is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of travel-friendly foods like these, which makes it a perfect option.


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Individual Nut Butter Packets

These can be a real life saver for when you need a quick energy boost, a more filling snack or to adorn the plain English muffin you got at that fast food restaurant on the way to your cousin’s wedding two states away. There are lots of brands and flavors available, just be sure to read labels so you choose the packs with the fewest ingredients and the least sugar per serving. Pair these with some oatmeal, vegan yogurt you buy on the go, some pre-chopped veggies you can find at airports and even gas stations, or just a convenient piece of fruit like an apple or banana. You can build a ton of travel-friendly snacks and even meals with nut butter travel packs. You even use them as a last minute topping for a salad you get on the go, or even as a vegan spread on a sandwich in place of hummus.


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Granola Bars

Great in a pinch, there are several commercially available, plant based options made with whole ingredients that work perfectly at keeping you going. Just be sure to read labels and choose a brand with the least sugar and fewest ingredients. If you know you’ll be eating them sooner rather than later, making your own granola or energy bars is the best way to ensure that the ingredients are wholesome and, well, pronounceable. They lack the extended shelf life of most commercial offerings though, so don’t leave a homemade one in your bag for 3-weeks and then attempt to eat it. Please.


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Trail Mix

You can purchase lots of different trail mix combos at the store when you’re on the go or, better yet, make a batch of your own and have it on you for emergency snacking. That way, you have ultimate control over the mix you choose so you’re not sitting there picking out chocolate candies and sucking on sugar coated or yogurt-coated raisins. Yeah, you know which trail mix we’re talking about. Throw together combinations of almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, dried fruits, dry cereal, seeds, a little dark chocolate and even some unsweetened coconut for a protein and energy pick-me-up. You can easily store these in little baggies and make them ahead of time for easy, on-the-go snacks.

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Seaweed Snacks

Did you know that nori, the seaweed that portable seaweed snacks are most commonly made with, contain 41 grams of protein per cup? That’s plenty to keep you full and power your adventures! There are several awesome brands available that come in a variety of flavors that you can throw into your bag and go. Many brands also sell these snacks in individual packs at health food stores if you’re on the road and looking for a quick, healthy snack that’s also healthy too. Sure, you might have to explain to your kids, spouse, or friends why you’re eating a sheet of seaweed, but once they taste one, they’ll likely be asking you for a few pieces too! Like a low-calorie, salty chip, these snacks are full of minerals like magnesium and sodium to give you a boost when you need it the most!

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Dark Chocolate

Just because the geeks are attacking (sorry, we couldn’t resist a Walking Dead reference) doesn’t mean that you can’t have a treat from time to time. A little 70 percent dark chocolate has fiber, minerals, antioxidants and even some potentially cardiovascular protective properties. You obviously don’t want to eat huge quantities all day, but having a touch of something sweet on you can help out when you’re surrounded by less healthy choices and want a little treat yourself. Like on that day at work when Suzy from payroll decides to bring in 3 dozen donuts for no reason. Go for unsweetened, organic chocolate when you can (raw chocolate is a great example), or pick up a bar that’s at least 75-80 percent cacao content and read the labels to make sure there’s no scary refined sugar or dairy milk included (yikes!)


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Dried Veggies

Dried veggies are a crunchy, nutritious snack on the go. 1/4 cup dried peas have 6 grams of protein while kale chips can have about 3 grams, along with potassium and fiber. If you’re buying these items pre made the nutritional content can vary, so we’ll risk sounding like a broken record and advise reading labels carefully to get the most bang for your nutritional buck. If you’re making them yourself, remember that they don’t last quite as long as their commercial counterparts so eat them quicker. (Shouldn’t be a problem, kale chips are too delicious to hang around in a carry on bag for long.)

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Individual Plant Milks/Powdered Plant Milk

There are a ton of commercially packaged plant milks on the market these days in shelf stable, aseptic packaging. These are great to have on hand for a quick pick me up or to add to the oatmeal or cereal at a restaurant when you stop for breakfast and that’s the only vegan option. They’re good in your coffee too! They can be a bit bulky, however, so if your packing space is limited, there are also powdered versions of soy, rice and almond milks available that can simply be mixed with water to desired consistency.

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Dry Cereal

Since you’re already packing your own plant milk, why not go ahead and bring your favorite cereal too? That way, you’ve got a guaranteed breakfast on the go no matter where you are. Dry cereal is also great to eat as-is, providing a nice crunchy snack and some needed nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals-as long as you’ve packed a whole grain one. Pick one that has less than 4 grams of sugar per serving and you’ve got a healthy choice.

Serious Eats

Ready to Eat Meals

Perfect for camping trips or road trips where your party will be stopping at the last diner for 200 miles and their “vegetarian” offering is fish sticks, shelf-stable, ready to eat meals can be a complete life saver. St. Dalfour has a few vegan offerings that can be eaten either heated or at room temperature while GoPicnic offers a few cracker, dip and desert combinations that are designed to be eaten as is. You can also special order a large variety from May Wah Vegetarian Market that are marketed as “open and eat.” If you do have the luxury of a heating source where you’ll be going, Tasty Bite has a huge array of “heat and eat” entree and rice packets that will have your travel companions eyeing your dinner with jealousy. The zombies may even give them a second glance too.

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Have an awesome vegan survival tip for eating plant based on-the-go? Let us know in the comments!