How do you be vegan in college? Isn't it hard? What do you even eat?

These are just some of many typical questions I constantly get when I tell people that I'm vegan. It really isn't that hard. Yeah, its limited, but it's pretty much limited to all college students unless you are special and can afford to go out to eat every week. Most colleges are required to have vegan options. Also, depending on the college you go to, access to "vegan" food varies. I say "vegan" food because its not restricted to only vegans. Everyone eats some type of "vegan" food.

If you see me eating french fries or peanut butter or anything for that matter, please don't ask if it is vegan. Clearly, I wouldn't be eating it if it wasn't. And please, please, please DO NOT ask me, "How do you know its vegan?" *insert hard face palm*

To reassure you, I am not restricted to eating the grass on the ground or the leaves off of trees. Funny joke, I didn't laugh. When I lived at home, I made most of my food. I love to cook..most vegans do. However, now that I do not have access to a grocery store, I obviously had to get use to eating pre-made food. It's kind of gross. I am not a particular fan of it, so I try to eat somewhat of the most natural and unprocessed food there is. But, I do sometimes eat french fries, and pasta, etc.

Being vegan does mean I eat a lot more than I usually would. Part of being vegan means enjoying fruits and veggies, so i don't mind eating salad almost everyday because I like it. It's all preference.

I think the biggest assumption people have is that being vegan means not being able to eat anything on campus. False. I eat a variety of food everyday like pasta, corn, broccoli, potatoes, rice, beans, a lot of vegetables, fruit, sandwiches, sushi, salads, french fries, bagels with peanut butter, vegetarian chili, veggie burgers, chips, granola bars, and etc. I can go on and on but it would take up a lot of space.

It doesn't take a lot to satisfy vegans. We can be happy with just fruits and vegetables if it came down to it.

So for future reference, please to not ask me what I eat or my response will be, "Food. What do you eat?"