Veganism is a lifestyle that avoids animal products—no meat, dairy, eggs, or anything made from animals. Some people become vegan for ethical reasons (I don’t want to hurt animals), some for health reasons (details later), and others to protect the climate (I want to reduce pollution and save water).
Viva Vegan
With social media exposing the realities of factory farming, more people are choosing plant-based diets to prevent animal cruelty. Do you know livestock farming (source of meant and dairy supply), is the top contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, water depletion, and deforestation? So, going vegan my be your crusade to reduce your carbon footprint.
Also, studies link plant-based diets to lower risks of lifestyle diseases such as heart conditions, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Research suggest that these diets can help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and help in digestion (remember, lactose intolerance among Indians is high). Hence, from almond milk to jackfruit biryani, brands are promoting plant-based options, making veganism more mainstream.
Advantage India
Unlike the West, where veganism often means a radical diet shift, India has a deep-rooted vegetarian culture for hundreds of years. Dal, sabzi, roti, chana masalas, idli, dosas, coconut-based curries — that you and I eat daily - are already vegan-friendly. Additionally, Ayurveda has long emphasized the importance of plant-based eating for better digestion and well-being.
Challenges
We, Indians are culturally (and emotionally) attached to ghee, paneer, and curd. Replacing milk-based food with vegan alternatives remains a B-I-G challenge. While the market for almond milk, soy curd and cashew-based ghee is slowly taking off, vegan alternatives are still scarcely available and pricier than traditional options.
To expand the market, the most difficult concern vegan marketers need to address is: “From where will I get the protein?”. Worldwide, the trend of veganism is battling the myth/misinformation that plant-based diets lack protein (even though chickpeas, tofu, lentils, and nuts are more than enough to handle your daily protein need). As a result, people are reluctant to experiment with ‘vegetarian meat’ products.
The Future
Indian startups like GoodDot (specializes in plant-based meat alternatives), Wakao Foods (specializes in jackfruit-based meat alternatives), and Epigamia (known for its dairy based yogurts) are making plant-based food mainstream. Vegan celebrity like Virat Kohli, through his lifestyle choices is inspiring the mass (little known fact: he's also an investor and brand ambassador of vegan startup Blue Tribe). With growing vegan-awareness, it is a matter of time India will see policy shifts promoting plant-based alternatives.
Be the Change
Interested to dig deep? Start small. Experiment. Try a vegan meal once a week (what about Meatless Mondays?). Swap dairy for almond or oat milk. Try tofu and not paneer in your curry. You never know, your tastebuds may love it!