How do I stay vegan in a foreign country?

Question

I'm going to Argentina over summer vacation. I'm going with my mother who is unsupportive of my choice to be vegan. As some of you probabley know, Argentina is big on meat. Before I went vegan I was a vegetarian and my whole family over there understands what I can and cannot eat. Being vegan is a whole different story. They aren't going to understand and they'll most likely try to put diary or eggs in my meals. Keeping in mind I'm 14 and I will NOT accept answers like "Just stop being vegan for that short amount of time" can you please help me?!

Answer 1

If you are used to preparing your own meals at home, just plan on preparing them when you go to Argentina, too. Maybe you can prepare a vegan meal for your family soon after you get there, and use that opportunity to explain your reasons for being vegan. It seems like you know ahead of time that your explaination isn't going to make them understand, or change to veganism, but they will know that it's important to you, and hopefully they will just accept that that's how you want to live your life. Don't go into it defensively, and be prepared for people to want to argue with you about it. If you respect their opinions and ideas, they are likely to respect your ideas and opinions, even if you all disagree. Also, before your trip, check out Happy Cow. They have a map of the world where you can click on any country to find places to eat that are vegan and vegetarian. The trip might be uncomfortable, but just remember, these people are your family and they are most likely going to love you no matter what you eat or don't eat. Good luck!

Answer 2

Have always laughed at the term "vegan"  what exactly is that.

I mean, if you are a vegetarian say so.

You know it may shock you, but they really do grow vegetables in Argentina.  In fact, the country is so advanced that they even have "soy" products.  

The only reason you think Argentina is big on meat is because it is a heavy cattle producing nation.  But hey cattle eat vegetable matter too.

You know you will be shocked to learn that Argentinians are civilized people who can add, subtract, read, write, laugh, love, be sad, and be "vegetarian"  

And by the way a true vegetarian never eats dairy products or eggs;  I don't know where you picked up that bit of falsehood.

Answer 3

Try to convince your mother the way you feel about eating meat and other dairy products again and see if she might have changed her mind. [That's what happened with my parents.]

If that doesn't work out, then try taking some of your own food, or asking for the ingredients of the foods at the restaurants if you're not sure.

Answer 4

You will probably have to be responsible for all the preparation of your  own meals. That will be the only way you can ensure that your meals will stay withing your guidelines.

Don't waste time trying to convince the country that your are a guest in... they wont understand., you just be nagging and difficult.  You might just be eating a ton of fruit while you are there. Make sure you are consuming enough proteins for your growing body.

Don't keep trying to make your parents understand, the proof will be in the fact that you can take care of yourself.

Answer 5

OMG! Argentina is about the 2nd-most-veg*n-unfriendly place on the planet, if not the Universe. My thoughts will be with you. All I can say is "Good luck!"

Answer 6

Traditional foods all around the world are mostly vegan anyway.  But you will find that even in places such as Argentina, as in the USA, they are all trying to eat like kings and queens.  That means sticking meat, dairy, eggs, and everything else that was once very expensive and largely out of reach of the poorer people into nearly every dish.  Not to mention that Europeans have basically invaded the place and the food has changed a lot and is very European now.  So, it used to be maize, beans, and squashes, and now it's meat, cheese, and butter.

Look around for traditional dishes.  Likely many speak English, but learn to say a few words in their language (they'll likely be better accommodating) that will tell them you cannot eat meat, dairy, eggs, or whatever.  When in Japan I learnt to say, "Is there any ____ in this?"  Then learnt the words for egg, dairy, fish, meat, etc. since the word 'vegetarian' is often interpreted differently by different people and different cultures.  I just wrote it on a piece of paper and carried it with me.  Very quickly I had it memorized.

Just remember, there are all sorts of great foods in the USA and Canada, but if you read a guidebook about these countries, it will only talk about hamburgers, bacon, eggs, cereal, steak, coffee... or whatever as the traditional food.

You will find that there are many vegetarian restaurants in places like Buenos Aires.  So don't worry.

Relax, and enjoy yourself and try all sorts interesting foods.

Answer 7

You're **** outta luck girl. You have to understand that many other countries are poor. And when you are poor you don't have the option to be vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and the like, you eat what you get and you are happy that you are getting anything at all. I hate to say that at the whopping age of 14 you should be happy that you live in a place where everything is so easy and you have food at all, regardless about what it is. Besides do you even know how BAD it is for you to eat this way, have you ever seen someone who is a vegan who actually looks HEALTHY???I sure as h**l haven't, they look sick, faces all sunken in eyes pushed all the way back into their sockets. I wish you knew how bad it is for you. I am so tired of people being so stuck up, " I only eat this, and I only eat that" get a friggin life. ( let the thumbs down start now)

Answer 8

Just eat all veggies and skip anything not vegan