Meet Ilaria and Her Vegan Diet: Health, Environment and Everyday Life

Meet Ilaria, a vibrant advocate for vegan living and the benefits of a vegan diet, who embarked on this transformative journey four years ago. In our interview, she shares her personal story of discovery, challenges, and triumphs.

From uncovering the hidden truths about animal products to embracing a plant-based lifestyle with confidence, Ilaria opens up about how veganism has reshaped her perspective on health, sustainability, and family life.

Along the way, she’s learned to navigate social situations, master delicious vegan recipes, and create a home rooted in mindful choices.

Ready to dive into her world?

Join us as Ilaria busts myths, shares tips for beginners, and inspires us all to make small changes with big impacts—one compassionate choice at a time.

Hello Ilaria, tell us about yourself and how and when you decided to go vegan!

My name is Ilaria I am 30 years old and I have been vegan for 4 years. I have always been attracted to the world of healthy nutrition, before these 4 years I had already eliminated dog for at least 5/6 years.

In October 2020 came the turning point, I informed myself through many documentaries about how animal products are produced and was shocked by the data I learned and especially shocked by the correlation with pollution and climate change.

So from one day to the next I decided that I would become proudly vegan, also hoping to make a small contribution to the future world.

Because the environmental impact of a single person also has a big impact.

In the last 4 years I have always been very well, very good blood tests, I have had 2 perfect pregnancies with very healthy babies and I have never been sick apart from the classic colds, I am sure that this is due to my diet and I would never go back.

What was the most difficult part of the transition to veganism and how did you overcome it?

On a practical level at home I had no difficulties at all, in fact I immediately organised myself very well.

Perhaps the only difficulty was communicating the change of diet outside the home, people who host you for dinner initially feel unprepared, but it takes very little to make them realise that cooking a vegan dish is much easier than many omnivorous recipes!

What are the most common challenges you face when eating out or on special occasions?

Restaurants nowadays have come up to date, in almost every place you can find a vegan alternative on the menu or a kitchen willing to improvise a dish without animal derivatives.

On a social level now, compared to years past, it is much easier to feel accepted and understood because the vegan diet is becoming more popular and its benefits are better known.

I can say that there are very few people who, when they hear me say ‘I am vegan’, respond with disapproval.

What do you think of the myths and clichés about vegan diet, such as the difficulty of getting enough protein?

These are exactly myths because in practice this is absolutely not the case. The basics for a balanced vegan diet are really simple and can be learned in very few steps.

I think these statements arise from the general ignorance that exists when thinking about nutrition. Some people talk bad about vegans and then eat sliced meat every day at the table.

This is enough to realise that the basics of healthy eating are not within everyone’s reach.

Besides diet, how do you adopt a vegan lifestyle in other areas of your life, such as clothing, cosmetics and household products?

I am not a perfect vegan. I limit myself to food and I admit that I am not very careful in other aspects.

Of course if I read ‘vegan’ on the supermarket shelf I prefer that product, but without paying 100 per cent attention.

How do people around you, such as friends and family, react to the vegan lifestyle choice you have made?

All the people who know me have accepted this change of mine well and have even been willing to cook vegan when we eat together. Even my 86-year-old Calabrian grandmother 🙂

What are your favourite vegan dishes for your whole family and how do you prepare them?

In our house, we are all vegans. We love to eat a nice dish of hot creamy and comforting pasta and legumes.

My two-and-a-half year old son loves stir-fried seitan ravioli. Legume and vegetable meatballs we are now able to make in any shape and colour, and they are always delicious!

Farinata, on the other hand, is a very simple, clever dish that is always super popular with friends who are guests at dinner. 

What do you think about food education in schools/colleges regarding vegan and vegetarian choices?

That’s not it.

In my personal experience the canteen serving my son’s kindergarten is very bad, it did not accept our request for a vegan menu (in fact I cook for him every day) and the menu it offers includes meat too often, pulses almost never, very few vegetables.

I don’t find it balanced at all.

With the information we have nowadays I think all school canteens should do a good refresher course, and include more vegetable products in their omnivorous diets as well.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start a vegan diet?

One has to inform oneself about the few simple rules to follow in order to have a balanced diet and that’s it.

You can get advice from a nutritionist or not, I have never done it because the web is full of valuable information, always make sure the source is reliable.

Best source out there? Silvia Goggi. Her books, podcasts and socials are within everyone’s reach, simple and direct. Social media are now flooded with very simple vegan recipes.

Supermarkets are now full of vegan products of all kinds. Becoming vegan in 2025 is certainly easy.

Thank you Ilaria!

Ilaria’s journey is a testament to the power of informed choices and the ripple effect they can create. Her story shows that veganism isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about embracing a lifestyle that aligns with health, ethics, and sustainability.

With a dash of curiosity, a sprinkle of preparation, and a heart open to change, anyone can take steps toward a more mindful way of living.

Whether you’re considering going vegan or just looking for inspiration to live more consciously, Ilaria’s experience proves that even the smallest changes can leave a lasting impact on your life—and the planet.

Thank you, Ilaria, for sharing your passion and proving that compassion is a choice we can all make every day!

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