Why Vegan? The Reason We Travel the World Plant-Based

A Short Introduction to Veganism

The Vegan Society states that “Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose (…)”.

First, a quick note for those who landed on this page, who aren’t vegan (and don’t plan to be): stay with us for a moment. The word “vegan” alone can bring up strong feelings, and you might be thinking, “I just want vegan travel tips,” or “I’m not here to change my diet.” That’s completely understandable. Often, when we hear the word vegan, we feel resistance – we don’t want to get too close to the topic, think about it too deeply or listen to someone else’s point of view. But isn’t it interesting that a single word can stir up so many emotions?

The truth is, vegan is more than just a word. It’s shaped by personal experiences, values, discussions, and sometimes even arguments. Has someone ever said “I’m vegan” (maybe casually, just to explain what they eat) and it made you feel uncomfortable? Did it make you feel like you suddenly had to justify your own eating habits? Maybe it felt like a subtle power struggle or made you roll your eyes and think (or say aloud), “Everyone should just be able to eat what they want.”

The natural response to these feelings is to make them go away. Close the laptop or go to another page, the one that’s simply talking about travel. But if you can sit with those feelings for a second and get curious about them, they might teach you something. About inner values, about how we see ourselves, and about the power of choice. This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. About noticing the subtle ways we make choices every day – sometimes without realizing we’re even making them. But more on this below 🙂

In this article, we first take a look at why people choose the vegan lifestyle in the first place, and then explore some of the deeper psychological layers behind meat consumption. If you have thoughts on the topic, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Why Vegan

Our Personal Story of Why Vegan

Lynn’s story: I became vegan in 2018, after having been vegetarian for almost half of my life. For me, it has always been about the animals – I loved animals since I was a kid and once I started to make the connection between animals and the food on my plate, it was non-negotiable that I stopped eating meat. Still, despite knowing that dairy and egg products mostly come from the same cruel industries, it took me much longer to do the step towards veganism.

Deep down, I knew it was the next logical step, but funnily, what was holding me back the most was the fear of perfection. Cooking vegan at home seemed doable to me, but, what if I traveled? What if I was invited to someone’s house for dinner? “If I go vegan now, I need to be able to do it all the time, 100%” – a commitment I wasn’t ready to make. Things changed in late 2017, when I moved to Portugal and became involved in activism. I started attending vigils in front of slaughterhouses and participated in street outreach that exposed the realities of animal agriculture. At the same time (and firstly, to not feel like a hypocrite), I turned gradually towards a vegan diet, with the occasional slip up at the beginning. In the early days, it was the support of other vegans that helped me in this transition: the way they were so non-apologetic about their lifestyle, didn’t feel sorry for themselves about “missing cheese” and lead by example. And words of a vegan friend that will always stuck with me: “It feels so good to live in alignment with your values“.

Daniel’s story: My journey toward veganism started out of curiosity – specifically, how a plant-based diet would affect my body and overall health. I had read The China Study, and I was intrigued enough to turn myself into an experiment. At first, it wasn’t easy. I wasn’t much of a cook, and switching up my usual habits felt like a challenge. But I stuck with it – and I quickly noticed that I felt lighter, both physically and mentally. My energy levels stayed the same, even when I was active and doing sports. But the sluggishness I used to feel after meals was gone. Over time, something shifted. I began to genuinely enjoy eating fresh, whole foods. What started as a health experiment became something deeper. I realized that this way of living not only made me feel good – it also allowed me to live without causing harm to others. That awareness was powerful. Looking back, I’ve come to believe that curiosity, especially about things we don’t yet understand, can be life-changing.

Common Reasons for Turning Vegan

Choosing to live vegan is rarely just about food. It’s about awareness. About the moment we stop seeing eating as just a habit or culture and begin to connect it to the broader picture – of animals, the planet, our health, and how we want to show up in the world.

Different people arrive at veganism in different ways. For some, it’s a sudden shift; for others, a gradual realization. But behind it, there’s often a desire to live in alignment with deeper values. Here’s a closer look:

Compassion for Animals

“If we could live happy and healthy lives without harming others, why wouldn’t we?”

Most of us grew up loving animals. We gave them names, stories, feelings. And yet, we live in a world where some animals are protected and loved, while others are confined, exploited, and killed – simply because of the way we’ve been conditioned to see them.

When people learn how animals are treated in industries like meat, dairy, and eggs – often far from the idyllic images shown on packaging – it creates a rupture. A moment of discomfort. But that discomfort can lead to change. Veganism becomes a way of saying: I don’t want to contribute to suffering when I don’t have to.

Environmental Awareness

Animal agriculture is one of the most environmentally destructive industries on the planet. It contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water shortages and ocean dead zones.

Many people who care deeply about the climate crisis find that continuing to consume animal products feels contradictory. Shifting to a plant-based diet becomes a powerful way to reduce personal impact.

Health and Well-being

While veganism isn’t a magic fix for all health concerns, studies consistently show that a balanced plant-based diet can lower the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Some people choose veganism after a health scare. Others do it because they feel better – physically and mentally – when they eat whole, plant-based foods. There’s also an emotional and energetic component: for many, eating in a way that aligns with compassion, brings a sense of peace.

Social Justice and Global Equity

How do my choices impact others I’ll never meet? It’s a lesser-discussed aspect, but an important one: the global food system is unequal. Growing crops to feed animals who are then fed to wealthy humans is incredibly inefficient. Meanwhile, millions of people go hungry every day.

Choosing plant-based options can be a path to a more just and equitable system – one that uses fewer resources and can, in theory, feed more people.

Living with Integrity

At its core, veganism is about congruence – about aligning our actions with our values. If we value kindness, non-violence, sustainability, and justice, then extending those values to the way we eat becomes a natural next step.

The Psychology of Meat-Eating

If becoming vegan is, in many ways, a process of waking up to the consequences of our choices – then staying non-vegan often involves the opposite: distancing ourselves from those consequences. Not out of malice, but out of habit, culture, and emotional self-protection.

Most of us grew up eating meat, dairy, and eggs from a young age. These foods were tied to comfort, family traditions, holidays, identity. So when someone questions them – or when we begin to question them ourselves – it can feel deeply unsettling. Our first instinct may be to dismiss, to justify, to defend.

Changing what we eat changes more than our shopping list. It challenges our sense of self, our place in a group, and the stories we’ve been told all our lives.

Cognitive Dissonance

Psychologists call it cognitive dissonance – the mental discomfort we feel when our actions don’t align with our values. Many people love animals and don’t want to see them harmed, yet continue to eat animal products. To reduce the tension between belief and behavior, we often subconsciously justify it, so we can continue the behavior:

• “These animals were raised ethically.”
• “Humans are meant to eat meat.”
• “It’s just how nature works.”
• “I need protein.”

These beliefs aren’t always based on evidence – they’re often inherited or culturally reinforced. But they help us feel better about choices we don’t fully want to face.

Cultural and Social Norms

Meat-eating is deeply ingrained in most cultures. It’s not just a dietary habit – it’s a social ritual. Meals bring people together, and challenging the status quo can feel like challenging your family, your culture, or your identity.

Imagine refusing your grandma’s traditional chicken dish that has been passed on from her own mother and that she has cooked every Saturday since you can remember. Saying “no” to meat at a family gathering or during a national holiday can feel like breaking an unspoken contract. Many people fear being labeled difficult, ungrateful, or even extremist. This fear can keep people eating in ways that don’t feel right to them, simply to maintain peace and harmony.

Emotional Detachment and Denial

To continue eating animal products, we often have to disconnect from the origin of what’s on our plate. Slaughterhouses are hidden. Labels use words like “beef” or “pork” instead of “cow” or “pig.” Advertising uses happy farm imagery that bears little resemblance to reality.

This emotional distancing is normal – and necessary – if we don’t want to face the discomfort. But once we do connect the dots, it’s hard to unsee.

Fear of Change or Inconvenience

Let’s be honest: change can be scary. We worry about what we’ll eat, what others will think, or how hard it will be. The idea of giving up favorite foods or traditions feels like a loss.

But often, those fears are greater in imagination than in reality. In practice, veganism is easier than ever – and the new habits, new recipes, and new connections can enrich life in unexpected ways.

Identity and Ego

Eating is deeply personal. When someone chooses to go vegan, or even just brings it up, it can feel like a judgment to others. That’s because food isn’t just food; it’s identity. If we’ve always seen ourselves as good, kind, and thoughtful, the idea that our actions may cause harm creates a crack in that identity.

Rather than sit with that discomfort, the ego often leaps to defend itself – not out of cruelty, but out of a need to stay consistent. Understanding this helps us approach the conversation with more empathy – for others and for ourselves.

Recognizing the Power of Choice

But even before all of that, veganism challenges us to recognize something even more fundamental: that we have a choice in the first place.

People often say, “I/he/she chose to be vegan.” But if not eating animals is a choice, then what does it mean to eat animals?

Why Don’t We See It as a Choice?

For many, eating animals doesn’t feel like a choice – it feels like the default. We don’t usually sit down and think, “Today, I’m choosing to eat animals.” It’s just the way it has always been. As children, we weren’t asked if we wanted to eat animals – it was simply what was on our plate. But as adults, we are making that decision every time we sit down at the table. The choice might be unconscious, but it’s still a choice.

Meat is everywhere: in TV ads, school lunches, holiday traditions, and everyday meals. This constant presence creates a kind of mental blind spot. We rarely stop to ask: What is this food? Where did it come from? Who was it before it landed on my plate?

Often, that blind spot is only revealed when we’re confronted with someone making a different choice – someone choosing veganism. In that moment, something shifts. We begin to realize that we do have a choice – and that we can choose differently.

Recognizing that we have a choice in the first place is often the first – and most powerful – step toward change. That’s one of the core reasons why people choose veganism: not because it’s easy or expected, but because they’ve become aware that the default isn’t the only option.

Ready to Try Vegan?

How to Start

Awesome that you’re here! Getting into veganism can feel overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, we’ve all been there. And it’s not about getting everything right from the start, but about the intention and learning experience. Nowadays, there are countless (free) resources out there that will support you on your journey:

Websites

• Veganuary: Veganuary is a global campaign that encourages people to try a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. But the good news is, you can sign up anytime, and you’ll still receive: a 31-day vegan starter kit via email, as well as tips, meal plans and recipes, and a huge community support.
• Challenge 22: A 22-day vegan challenge with free mentorship, nutritional guidance, and a supportive Facebook group.
• Nutrition Facts: Science-based videos and articles on plant-based nutrition.
• Plant Based News: News platform covering plant-based living, health, environment, and ethics.
• Animal Equality: Investigations and campaigns focused on ending animal cruelty in farming.
• Earthling Ed: Ethical arguments for veganism, free educational e-books, and powerful street activism

Books

• Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism by Dr. Melanie Joy
• How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger
• Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

These books are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This supports our work and allows us to keep offering free content here on the blog.

Recipes and Cooking Inspiration

• It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken: Fun, easy vegan recipes from a practical and honest perspective.
• BOSH!: Viral vegan recipes and cooking videos.

Conclusion

This article isn’t here to tell you what to do. It’s about becoming aware of the choices we have in life. It’s an invitation to reflect, to stay open and go ask the kind of questions we don’t always have space for in our busy lives.

Why do I eat the way I eat?
Do I want to eat animals?
Do my choices reflect my values?
How do I feel about the systems I participate in?
What kind of world do I want to help create?

And if you have any questions about veganism or how to start – feel free to ask either directly in the comments or write us at vanderlustjourney@outlook.com. We’re super happy to help!

Further Reading

Blog Articles

• Traveling as a Vegan

Useful Resources

• Veganuary
• Challenge 22
• Nutrition Facts

About the Authors

Lynn & Daniel are the vegan couple behind VanderlustJourney, combining their passion for adventure and plant-based living. They share stories and visuals of natural places, hikes, vegan discoveries, and meaningful encounters from around the world – always striving to travel with kindness.

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✉️ Contact: vanderlustjourney@outlook.com