It’s World Vegan Day, and I thought it’s a good time to reflect on my journey of being vegan in India for almost 6 years now and pen down the lessons that I’ve learnt along the way.
1. It’s easy and
2. It’s tough
to be a vegan in India
Let me explain.
It’s easy because the variety of OG vegan dishes you find in India is astounding. You can easily make a meal plan for a year without repeating any dishes. That’s how blessed we are in terms of cuisine in India.
I’m a Malayalee who has lived most of her life in Maharashtra, so I have direct access to both of these wonderful cuisines. So, I have variety in both taste and nutrition. I can easily satisfy my palette with different kinds of nourishing foods.
It’s tough to be a vegan in India because dairy is prevalent in the Indian kitchen. Even if it’s a vegetarian dish, the tadka may consist of ghee, the paratha maybe made with ghee and most desserts are made with milk products. Curd is also used in a variety of dishes. So, you have to eat the vegetarian dishes with a side of caution.
When you go out with a group of people, be it family or friends, you’ll most likely be the odd one out and you have to be okay with it. People will throw suggestions at you – Eat just for one day or there’s just a little ghee in it – you’ll have to bear with these suggestions and politely ignore it.
Most people don’t understand the philosophy behind being vegan and if you try to explain why you became vegan, it ends up being an uncomfortable veg vs non-veg discussion and these days food has become political too, so one has to tread carefully.
So, I like to keep my opinion to myself. Because we are all entitled to what we think is right to put into our bodies.
So yes, being vegan is easy as well as tough in India.
The third lesson I learnt was –
3. Consult a professional
When I turned vegan, I read up a lot about it. I spoke to friends who were already on their vegan journey and tried my best to understand it. But each body is different, our genes are different, and how our body reacts to change is different. So, I thought it was better to consult a vegan nutritionist who would help me scientifically on my vegan journey. I didn’t want to be foolish and create any sort of deficiencies in my body. I knew why I was doing it, and I wanted to do it right.
My first consultation was with Sharan, and it was an insightful session. I till date follow all the guidelines shared by the nutritionist. I’ve also consulted Qua nutrition, and they’ve given me some good advice too.
And every year I do a follow up. Just to make sure my body and mind are working at the optimal level.
This is a strong advice I would give anyone who wants to turn vegan. Don’t do it blindly, don’t get driven by emotions, use the science and knowledge at hand and consult a professional who can guide you well.
4. You’ll miss some of the foods
Being born and brought up in a Mallu household where fish was truly loved by all – I sometimes miss it and I’m not ashamed of saying it. Because that’s something I’ve eaten and loved since childhood and it’s hard to change our childhood habits. On those days that I crave for it, I treat myself to something else I love – for e.g. I love vada pav and missal pav, so treat myself to a piping hot vada pav and my stomach and heart are happy for the time being.
You can find your own ways. Don’t be too rigid or strict with yourself. Be kind because that’s the philosophy of veganism. It starts with being kind to yourself and your taste buds. Always do what works for you.
The biggest problem I find with vegans is that they become extremists and start propagating veganism in that manner too, which kind of gives a bad name to the whole philosophy. The minute you say you are vegan, people look at you with judgement because that’s what any kind of extreme behaviour does.
5. It’s impossible to be a hundred percent vegan
I’ve done enough research on this and have understood that it’s impossible to be 100% vegan.
Sometimes you’ll have to take some medicines which may have been tested on animals, sometimes when you’re travelling you may unknowingly eat something which may not be fully vegan, sometimes the products you buy may not have any sort of vegan or non-vegan label on it. In such situations, I just do the best I can do.
6. Be kind
The most important lesson for me is to be kind. Be kind whenever possible – to yourself and to others around you. I think if we can do this that itself is the biggest achievement. Because like I mentioned earlier, being kind is the foundation philosophy of veganism. Rest will follow.
Happy World Vegan Day!
Read next: A Guide to Kerala’s vegan friendly heritage
About me: I’m a vegan writer, a wanderer at heart and someone who loves to cosy up with a book. After nearly two decades in television, I now tell stories that are plant-based, personal and rooted in the life that I’m building along the way. To know more click here.
