Travel for Food Hub The Food Blog for Travel Lovers
Last Updated on January 29, 2023
Have you ever wondered what is the best vegan city in the US? Well, you are not the only one. Veganism and plant-based diets have been growing from strength to strength in popularity across the US with an Ipsos Retail Performance study showing that there are now 9.7 million people embracing a meat-free lifestyle. Oregon is the state that has consistently shown the highest interest in this way of living; one that pays heed to environmental sustainability, greater health, and better treatment of animals.
Now you can start planning your visit to Portland, Oregon with these great tips.
Why is Portland the Best Vegan City in the US?
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Research published by Forbes and PETA point to Portland, Oregon as the best vegan city in the US as it is a particularly savvy city when it comes to veganism – a conclusion echoed by a recent WalletHub study (which evaluated America’s most populated cities, looking at important considerations for vegans such as affordability, the diversity of vegan and vegetarian foods available, and fruit and vegetable consumption). Portland made the top of the list, scoring 62.4 points out of 100, with Los Angeles taking the second spot at 57.31 pointes and San Francisco, California coming in third with 57.04 points. Portland rated highly owing to its large number of organic farms, community gardens, and restaurant options but scored low for grocery costs for vegetarians and vegans.
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Striking the Perfect Balance
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If you live in Portland and you plan on spending more time there, there are many ways to reduce your grocery costs. These include meal planning; making a list of staple foods from main categories such as grains, vegetables, and fruits; and opting for cheap vegan ingredients – of which there are an abundance (think lentils, beans, and chickpeas). Avoid expensive name brand/pre-prepared produce, freeze items you have bought in bulk (broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans do not lose quality when frozen) and consider growing a few vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your garden.
If you are new to food preparation, vegan meal kits are a great way to work out how much you need of typical produce like tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and cucumbers. These kits essentially contain all the ingredients in required portions; all you need to do is to follow cooking instructions. Once you know a few recipes and food combinations, you can plan your shopping experience so you don’t end up throwing away unwanted food.
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Dining Out in Portland
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Some of Portland’s top vegan restaurants, that make it the best vegan city in the US, serve interesting dishes that successfully emulate meat-based dishes. Don’t visit the city without trying treats like vegan ‘chicken’ tacos, burgers, curry dishes, dumplings, wok-cooked stir-fries, and more. Highly recommended restaurants include Aviv (a haven of soul-soothing Middle eastern cuisine featuring homemade hummus, soy curl shawarma fries, and falafel); Mis Tacones (the perfect spot for vegan tacos, nachos, and burritos), and Blossoming Lotus (serving organic fusion dishes and some raw dishes for those wishing to enjoy optimal antioxidant goodness).
Portland, Oregon is currently touted as America’s most vegan-friendly city. It has a plethora of restaurants serving a wide variety of foods as well as schools teaching vegan cooking, vegan food festivals, and fruit and vegetable markets. The one downside to Portland is the cost of grocery vegan items. However, by shopping strategically (online and in markets) and buying no more than you need, your monthly costs can be significantly reduced.
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