Globetrotting as a Vegan
About three years ago I converted to veganism in India while reading “The World Peace Diet” by Will Tuttle. This book draws the connection between eating habits and spiritual harmony not only within the self, but in the world.
The theory is that everything we eat has energy and if we are eating animal products, which result from the commodification and enslavement of living beings, this results in a negative collective consciousness. If we break free from those chains, however, bringing freedom to those without a voice, we become free as well.
Having traveled to over 13 countries as a vegan, I’ve done my best to share this philosophy and along the way have had my fair share of conversations on why and how I do it. At times I’ve found it difficult to articulate, so I’d like to share the most common obstacles I experience as a globetrotting vegan and how I respond to them.
“It’s ahead of the times to travel as a vegan,” people say. “Still too progressive, too out of reach in most places. Why make it so difficult on yourself and others?”

While there is, at times, a lack of resources to create a vegan meal in a foreign country, the more than usual obstacle is a general lack of understanding or resourcefulness, sometimes resulting in backlash from servers or those simply observing.
“What? Are you sure? Why wouldn’t you want eggs to come with your breakfast?” or “How could you eat an arepa without cheese?”
Waiters usually look at me in complete disbelief when I tell them to hold the meat on what would be a completely vegan meal. While I do agree that most menus don’t clearly delineate many vegan options, about half of the options can always be made vegan, if you have a restaurant willing to modify it. Usually, since they are a business looking to make a profit, they are.
This is a perfect chance for you, the consumer, to make it known that other options are desired, thus paving the way to making vegan options more available to everyone after you.
“But it doesn’t allow you to explore the culture through food. And it will make you seem too selective instead of appreciative of the offerings.”
Yes, also an insightful observation. But it’s almost like I’m on a secret treasure hunt to discover vegan meals that are already a part of their culture. Meat was not always a daily staple. In some places it is still very rare to have it every day. So what are the culture’s vegan or vegetarian go-to’s when meat is not available? Every country, at some point in history, has gone through a shortage of food. In most cases, the meals they serve become much more plant-based. Relish in being creative with the culture at hand while discovering what you might have never known about it!
Obstacles are truly an opportunity for us to grow and learn more about ourselves. If you see every roadblock as a puzzle to figure out, traveling as a vegan will become less of a nuisance and more of a game!
For those of you wanting to explore vegan travel more, keep a lookout for my next article on the best and worst places to be a vegan.
