Thinking About Going Vegan? Ariana Grande’s Journey Might Be the Inspiration You Need

Let’s be honest—going vegan sounds a lot easier than it often is. The idea of giving up cheese, or bacon, or a favorite childhood dish? It can feel overwhelming. But then someone like Ariana Grande comes along and quietly sticks to it for over a decade. It makes you pause. Think. “If she can do it, maybe I could too.”

Now, this isn’t another celebrity worship piece. It’s not about copying her life, because obviously, not many of us are Grammy-winning pop stars with a team of trainers and chefs (though that would be convenient). But Ariana’s veganism—her quiet, consistent commitment to it—offers something a little more approachable. Not perfect. Not even loud. But something real, and honestly, kind of inspiring.

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So… When Did Ariana Grande Become Vegan, Exactly?

Back in November 2013, Ariana Grande had fully become a vegan. That’s more than ten years ago now. She even tweeted about it:

“I’ve eaten organically since I was little and always kept meat minimal but today marks my first day as a 100% Vegan!!!! Joyous day.” (Viva.org.uk)

It wasn’t some grand documentary or a heavily marketed product launch. Just a tweet. Just a moment she chose to share with fans. That’s one of the things I find interesting about her approach—there’s not a huge campaign around it. She’s not shouting “Go vegan!” from every stage she’s on. She just… lives it. Quietly.

And that’s kind of powerful, isn’t it? The commitment without the performance.

Source: IMDb.

Her Reasons? Mostly About Animals.

When asked about her decision, Ariana has been pretty straightforward. She once told The Mirror,

“I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding.” (Viva.org.uk)

It’s not some complicated nutrition plan or elaborate weight-loss strategy. It’s a values-based choice. You might not agree with that sentiment exactly (some of us really like people, after all), but there’s a kind of honesty in it. She believes in kindness to animals, and veganism—at least for her—felt like the most aligned way to live that belief.

That doesn’t mean it’s been simple.

The Struggles of Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World

Let’s not sugarcoat this. Being vegan can be really tricky, especially during parties or any other social events. Ariana herself has talked about the awkwardness. In a recent interview, she joked that her family still offers her meatballs at gatherings—after a decade of not eating meat.

“They always offer me meatballs. I think they just don’t want to remember I’m vegan.” (People.com)

That’s relatable. I’ve been in similar situations myself. One time, a friend insisted I try their famous chicken dish because “it barely has any chicken in it.” You smile. You politely decline. Maybe you explain. Maybe you don’t.

Sometimes it’s not worth the debate.

That’s one thing Ariana’s journey shows—it doesn’t have to be about constant education or defense. You can just… be vegan. Quietly, firmly, even when the people around you forget (or pretend to).

What Does Ariana Grande Actually Eat?

Here’s where it gets real real.

Her diet, according to longtime trainer Harley Pasternak, leans toward the whole-foods side of veganism. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Simple dishes. Some Japanese influences, actually—things like adzuki beans, daikon, and lotus root. (Glamour)

But that doesn’t mean she’s eating macrobiotic seaweed wraps every day.

In fact, on the “SmartLess” podcast, she recently shared her go-to meal: pasta with roasted mushrooms and homemade vegan pesto. Simple. Italian. Delicious. (EatingWell)

And here’s where I’ll be honest—I tried that combination last week. Threw it together with some spinach and toasted pine nuts. It was surprisingly good. And no, I didn’t even miss the cheese.

Which, I’ll admit, is saying something.

Digital Recipe Book and Meal Planner ↗️

Is She Still Vegan, Though?

This is where things get a little murky. In 2019, one of the drinks Ariana released in collaboration with Starbucks was the Cloud Macchiato. In theme, yes, but it had contained egg whites to achieve that froth. Fans were confused. Was she abandoning her veganism?

She never directly addressed it. Some speculated it was just a business partnership. Others thought maybe her stance had softened.

But here’s the thing: humans are complicated. Maybe she made an exception. Maybe it wasn’t her decision. Or maybe she just wasn’t aware of it. That happens too.

What matters, I think, is that her overall approach has remained largely consistent. She’s still plant-based in her day-to-day life. She still speaks about animal rights. She still shows up for causes that align with her values.

Perfection? No. But that’s not really the point.

Starting Your Own Journey

If Ariana’s journey shows us anything, it’s that veganism doesn’t have to be loud or preachy or flawless. It can just be something you do. For your own reasons.

If you’re thinking about it, maybe don’t overthink it. Start with a few meals a week. Replace dairy milk. Try new recipes—some will be awful (yes, that vegan “cheese” sauce from Pinterest was a mistake). Others will surprise you.

What helps a lot—at least in my experience—is having some kind of structure. Otherwise, you fall back into old habits simply because decision fatigue is real.

This is where a digital recipe book can make a difference. Something to keep your ideas in one place, jot down what works (and what really didn’t), plan out the week. It’s not about being obsessive—it’s about making it easier on yourself.

I tried using a simple notes app at first. It got messy. Recipes scattered everywhere. Grocery lists I couldn’t find. Switching to a clean, visual system changed things for me. Not overnight. But gradually.

You Don’t Have to Be a Pop Star to Eat Well

Sometimes we fall into this trap of thinking celebrity diets are only for celebrities. You know, “Sure, Ariana can be vegan, she has a chef,” kind of logic. But most of the meals she talks about—pasta, mushrooms, rice, beans—are completely accessible.

Even on a budget. Even if you don’t live near a Whole Foods.

It’s not about sourcing rare ingredients from Himalayan mountains. It’s about building habits. Getting a little organized. Knowing what you’re going to cook when you’re tired and cranky on a Tuesday night.

Again, that’s where tools like a meal planner come in. It’s not glamorous. But sometimes the un-glamorous stuff—planning, tracking, jotting things down—is what makes new habits stick.

A Note on Flexibility

One more thing, and it’s important.

You might try going vegan and still crave ice cream. Or have that one holiday where you eat your grandma’s famous casserole because she made it just for you and you didn’t have the heart to say no.

That’s okay.

Ariana Grande’s journey isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about aligning with what matters to her. You can do the same, even if that alignment shifts over time.

Some people go fully vegan. Others go plant-based with exceptions. Some people start and stop and start again.

None of that makes the effort meaningless.

So, Is Ariana Grande the Blueprint?

Not exactly. But she might be the nudge. The “maybe I could do that too” moment. The proof that a young person with a demanding lifestyle can still stick to their values, even when it’s inconvenient.

And if you’re curious, or hesitant, or just trying to eat a little better—maybe that’s enough.

You don’t have to tweet it. You don’t have to do it forever. You can just start. Try it. See how it feels.

And if it doesn’t work out? That’s human too.