On World Vegan Day, we look at Indian celebs, who follow this lifestyle and also list its pros and cons
The desire to have a more compassionate outlook towards animals and maintain a clean, healthy lifestyle has motivated many a celeb to go vegan. On the occasion of World Vegan Day, we look at a few popular faces, who have chosen a plant-based diet, examining their reasons for doing so and list the pros and cons of this way of living. Read on to find out more.
Dr Nandita Shah founder of Sharan, a non-profit organisation that promotes a healthy and ethical way of living, sums up the benefits of going on a plant-based diet with these lines. She says, “A vegan diet is good for health, great for the environment and it helps you live according to your values of compassion and caring.” While critics of the vegan diet emphasise that you are likely to have a calcium or protein deficiency by following a plant-based diet, Dr Nandita believes that’s just a myth we have been fed. She adds, “The reality is protein excess causes more diseases than protein deficiency. Kidney problems, acidity, osteoporosis, gout and cancer are all fuelled by an excess of protein.”
If you are inspired to go vegan, here’s what you should know. Dietitian/nutritionist Pallavi Srivastava helps you make an informed decision.
It boosts your daily intake of anti-oxidants. Since this diet is rich in fruits and different coloured vegetables, beans and other legumes, it increases your anti-oxidant uptake. They are needed to protect us from the harmful effects, which are caused by the free radicals caused from stress, pollution, and other chemicals used in day-to-day life.
Since animal products are excluded from this diet, and fruits and vegetables and other pulses are added in larger amounts, leading to a calorie drop that results in weight loss.
By cutting down on animal products, we also cut down on a large amount of cholesterol and saturated fats. Thus people who are more prone to cancer or any cardiovascular health risk can benefit with this diet, since vegan diets are low in trans fat, saturated fats, and are low in cholesterol if followed well. Studies show that it can help lower the bad cholesterol and blood pressure.
Following a vegan diet needs strict planning so that the important vitamins and minerals absent in this diet can be supplemented satisfactorily. Vitamin D present in dairy products is excluded from this diet, it can be absorbed from the sunlight, but may not be enough for the body, hence supplementation might be required. Another example is of vitamin B12 — a vitamin which is naturally present in animal products — would need a supplement or B12 supplemented cereals and other products. Iron again can be obtained from leafy greens and beans and an added dose of Vitamin C should be incorporated with that to boost the absorption.
As healthy protein like lean chicken or fish or eggs are excluded from this diet, it’s necessary to include beans, legumes, soy, oats and quinoa to add protein to the diet.
Adhering to a vegan diet can become very challenging, thus it may backfire. Since a vegan diet is restrictive, after a point you may opt for carbohydrate-rich foods or more sugary or more processed vegan-free foods, which would mean stocking up on sodium or more preservatives thus causing more harm than gain and also a resultant weight gain.
There could be a loss of vital nutrients like calcium, folate and omega 3 fatty acids — all of these are said to be present in huge amounts in animal products, so going vegan could mean a lack in these vital nutrients, if not supplemented well, it can cause muscle weakness and bone pain over a period of time.
Switching to a new diet, all of a sudden and adding a lot of beans and pulses without adjusting the water intake or the right cereals with it, might invite digestive trouble for a lot of people. It may cause bloating and uncomfortable stomach or abdominal pain and cramps in some cases.
1. A COMPASSIONATE CHOICE FOR VIRAT AND ANUSHKA
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According to reports, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli turned vegan nearly four months ago to improve his fitness levels and has witnessed exceptional progress. According to a source quoted by a daily, the cricketer’s decision to give up meat and dairy products has helped him improve his fitness and has also impacted his digestive power. Anushka Sharma has been a vegan for around five years now. And like her hubby, it’s been about making a compassionate choice. Talking about her reasons for going on a plant-based diet, she had said, “I have more energy, I feel healthier, and I’m so happy that no animals had to suffer for my meals.”
2. A VEGAN DIET GAVE SONAKSHI SINHA A HOT BOD
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Sticking to a vegan diet has worked wonders for Sonakshi Sinha. The actress has lost oodles of weight and is in great shape. She also revealed that she made the switch to boost her body’s metabolism.
3. JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ’S BID TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
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Jacqueline Fernandez went completely vegan in her bid to protect the environment and look after her health. She has previously also stepped forward and asked her fans, family and friends to follow a similar lifestyle. The actress trades dairy milk for coconut milk and is also fond of Kombucha tea, for its numerous health benefits.
4. IT’S BEEN A CALMING EXPERIENCE FOR KANGANA RANAUT
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Actress Kangana Ranaut has revealed that being vegan has calmed her down. She has shared, “It has also made me physically and emotionally strong. I have added fruits, nuts, tofu and nut shakes in my diet. I have never felt better.”
5. FITNESS MATTERS FOR SONAM K AHUJA
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Actress Sonam K Ahuja embraced the idea of clean eating for a healthy, fit body and advocates a vegan lifestyle to boost health and shed weight. Her mornings begin with a full plate of avocados, tomatoes, hummus and pita bread. She does occasionally cheat with chocolates and ice creams but they’re vegan too!
