Breaking Cultural Barriers: Middle Eastern Food Bloggers Embrace Veganism

A growing number of Middle Eastern food bloggers are challenging misconceptions and stigma surrounding veganism. Although Middle Eastern diets are rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, fully adopting a vegan or plant-based diet is considered radical by many. This attitude, often falsely attributed to cultural factors, is passed down to third-culture kids in the West, making it difficult for individuals like Sahar Esfandiari, an Iranian-British writer with an expertise in the Middle East and its diaspora, to comfortably live out their vegan choice.

Now, these bloggers are creating vegan-friendly adaptations of traditional foods and advocating for the benefits of a vegan diet both online and within their communities. When Sahar transitioned to a vegan diet two years ago, she felt isolated and frustrated as the only vegan in her traditional Iranian household. She often felt like a burden at family dinners and faced constant questioning and criticism.

Image by Bustle

Many individuals from similar cultural backgrounds, such as Mennar Saleh, founder of Earth Brgr in London, and Heba, who runs the blog and Palestinian supper club Gae's Pan, share this experience. Both faced initial resistance but eventually founded their own vegan businesses, proving that one can honor their roots while being vegan.

For many Middle Eastern people, food is deeply tied to family life and cultural celebrations. Traditional recipes connect immigrant families to their heritage. Sarah Guita, a vegan blogger based in Marseilles, found it challenging to navigate traditional gatherings like weddings as a vegan. She chose to learn and veganize traditional dishes to keep both parts of her identity united.

Historically, plant-based diets are not new to the Middle East. Syrian poet Abu al-Alaa al-Ma'arri followed a plant-based diet. Popular vegan influencers like Leila Hannoun and Luna Issa embrace their backgrounds and share nutritious, culturally rich recipes online, offering support and representation to others.

Sahar found comfort in connecting virtually with people like Leila and Luna, who showed that veganism could work for her. She started posting vegan adaptations of traditional Iranian dishes on Instagram, allowing her to connect with other vegans and share her journey. By taking up space, these bloggers are ensuring that more people see themselves represented in the mainstream vegan narrative and encouraging compassionate food choices for the benefit of animals, the environment, and future generations.

The journey of Middle Eastern food bloggers like Sahar Esfandiari, Mennar Saleh, and Heba showcases the power of embracing one's cultural roots while advocating for a compassionate lifestyle. By veganizing traditional dishes and sharing their experiences online, these bloggers are breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive narrative around veganism. Their efforts not only provide representation for Middle Eastern vegans but also inspire others to explore plant-based diets without losing touch with their heritage. As these bloggers continue to gain visibility and support, they pave the way for a future where compassionate food choices are celebrated and integrated into diverse cultural traditions.