How I Stayed Fueled & Plant – Based in Portugal – Thanks to Sakara

Traveling while plant-based can be… complicated.
Between unpredictable airport food, language barriers, and menus dominated by meat and bread, it’s not always easy to stay nourished on the road—especially in places like Europe, where plant-based eating is still catching on.
As someone who travels often and thrives on feeling good in my body, I’ve learned to plan ahead. After years of trial and error, I now have two non-negotiables whenever I travel:
1. Pack Sakara.
2. Find the best vegan restaurants wherever I go.
And on my recent trip to Portugal, this strategy saved me—again.

The Problem: Where’s the Nutrition?
I’ve been plant-based for years, and I know how my body feels when I’m properly nourished: clear-headed, energized, vibrant. But travel can quickly throw that off.
In Portugal, the scenery is stunning, the people are warm, and the food is delicious… but also very bread- and meat-heavy. Which meant I needed to come prepared if I wanted to feel my best through long days of exploring, walking, and soaking up every ounce of culture
My Solution: Sakara On-the-Go
Before I left, I stocked my carry-on with a few daily essentials:
🌱 Sakara Daily Multivitamin – Each morning, I mixed the powdered formula into my hot water with lemon. It’s the easiest way to start the day with a nutrient boost that actually absorbs, especially when your breakfast options are limited.
🍫 Metabolism Chocolate Protein Super Bars – These were lifesavers. My daughter and I literally fight over these bars—they’re that good. Rich, satisfying, and functional. I kept one in every bag: beach bag, purse, day pack, you name it.
💤 Sakara Sleep Support – Jet lag doesn’t stand a chance with this one. I used it nightly during my first few days adjusting to the time difference, and it helped me ease into sleep naturally without that groggy hangover feeling.
With these three Sakara staples, I felt like I had my own portable wellness routine—no matter what the local food scene looked like.
Where We Stayed: A Tale of Two Cities

Penha Longo Ritz-Carlton (Sintra)
Tucked into the misty mountains of Sintra, this property felt like a real-life fairytale. Peaceful mornings, scenic hikes, and spa afternoons made it the perfect place to land after a long flight. It was also the most serene spot to sip my hot water + Sakara.
Favorite Thing: The Horse Stables & Wellness Center
Pestana Palace (Lisbon)
This 19th-century palace-turned-hotel is a dream—grand staircases, lush gardens, and rooms that feel like they belong in a period drama. Lisbon itself was vibrant and full of charm, but having this sanctuary to come home to made all the difference.
Favorite Thing: The architecture & European Elegance

The Bonus Solution: Vegan Gems in Portugal

Kong, Lisbon
Ranked the #3 vegan restaurant in the world, and for good reason. Every dish was a work of art. Flavor-packed, inventive, and beautifully plated—it was one of those meals I’ll be dreaming about for years.
Favorite Thing: The Sourdough Bread with Cashew Cheese & The Passionfruit Mojito Mocktail
Mela Canela, Sintra
A cozy, unexpected find with soulful, plant-forward dishes and a warm atmosphere. It felt like a hidden gem tucked away in the hills.
Favorite Thing: Lemon Cake with Coconut, Spiraling Frosting!

Friends from around the world at Dinner
Travel Well, Feel Amazing
Staying plant-based on the road doesn’t have to mean compromising how you feel. It just takes a little planning—and a few Sakara staples you can count on. Between their nutrient-rich multivitamin, crave-worthy Metabolism Bars, and Sleep Support, I never felt like I was “missing out.”
Instead, I felt energized, nourished, and ready to soak up everything Portugal had to offer—while also discovering new flavors and moments with new friends that I’ll never forget.
If you’re plant-based (or wellness-minded) and planning your next trip, I highly recommend exploring Sakara’s new arrivals here. They’ve made it so much easier for me to travel well—and feel amazing doing it and you can now get 20% off using my code SMCCARTHYSAKARA at checkout!
Sending you love & light,
Stacy
P.S. Keep your yoga practice going even when your on vacation with my online classes every Tuesday and Thursday plus extensive catalogue of on-demand classes! Check out the online program HERE