6 Reasons why Indians should adopt a vegan lifestyle

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India is the largest producer of milk in the entire world. 175 billion litres of dairy milk was produced by the farms in 2019. An average Indian’s diet is filled with dairy products. It is difficult to imagine a regular Indian cutting out on milk products from their diet.

Dairy for us is not just food, it’s an emotion. According to the sample registration system (SRS) baseline survey 2014 released by The Registrar General of India, over 71% of the population consumes meat as well. Can you imagine your friend or your family giving up their plate of chicken butter masala or mutton korma, and especially at a family function or get together? Probably no!

Having said that, it is very interesting to note that a new movement is growing and finding its feet in India – Veganism. Although the numbers are small, the vegan tribe however is pretty vocal about their choices. A lot of people are adopting this lifestyle for all the good reasons – one of which is health. Even celebrities like Akshay Kumar have gone Vegan to hit better fitness goals. Aren’t you curious to know how much of it is real? Here are five reasons why you should choose

Vegan Lifestyle!

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1. Rich in Nutrients

   Moving away from typical Indian diet to Vegan means eliminating all the dairy products and meat hence relying totally on the plant-based food comprising of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains which means giving your body thousands of phytochemicals, antioxidants and plant-based compounds for good health. Studies have revealed that people relying on a greener diet have shown longer life expectancy.

   Since this diet is so nourishing it is ideal for any age group including children, pregnant and lactating women and elderly people. However, people transitioning into Veganism need to plan their diet well so that they are giving their bodies all the essential nutrients. A well planned Vegan diet is richer in Potassium, Magnesium, Folate, Vitamin A, C and E.People who pick up a healthy vegan diet often claim that they feel the difference in their bodies in just 2-3 weeks!

2. Fights Obesity

   Obesity in India has gone out of control. According to a recent study published in the JournalLancet India ranks 3rd behind the US and China in the global hazard of the top 3 countries with the highest number of obese people.

   Animal products contain a larger amount of fat than plant-based food. Research shows that only plant-based diets are ideal for weight loss. Did you know that the probability of meat-eaters getting obese is three times more than vegetarians and nine times more than vegans?

   Well, according to the data available on PETA an average adult vegan is 10-20 times lighter than an adult meat-eater!

3. Weight Loss

   Excessive weight is associated with a series of health problems and considering the growing obesity in our country you might want to educate yourself and ones around you about maintaining a healthy weight for one’s overall wellbeing. So if you embark on this journey of healthy living a Vegan diet is going to be your best friend. The fact that it is enriched with nutrients and most importantly fibre reduces the number of high calories food one consumes, it also keeps you full for a longer period.

   Please Note: When on a weight loss diet one must avoid processed vegan food containing ingredients such as sugar, starches, sodium and food additives.

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4. Heart Health

   Cardiovascular diseases have become a leading cause of deaths in India, 272 per 1,00,000 which is 37 more than the global average. Studies show that it is attacking our people in their most productive midlife years.

   People who adopt the vegan diet have a lower risk of succumbing to heart disease because it reduces blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels which are directly linked to your heart.

   A balanced plate of a vegan meal consisting of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds is excellent for one’s heart health.

5. Diabetes Control

   Diabetes affects 5% of our population in India according to the International Diabetics Federation and the numbers will soar to 123 million by 2040, which is critically alarming for us as a nation.

   However, a good thing is that diabetes can be controlled by changes in lifestyle. It is seen that adopting a plant diet and exercise brings positive changes in the human body. Consuming whole grains, vegetables and beans are one of the most effective additions one can make in their diet. This leads to improved glycemic control, reduced lipid levels and decreased rates of renal disease.

   Diabetic patients should substitute ‘soy or other vegetable proteins for animal protein’ according to health specialists. In other words, Veganism produces very significant metabolic advantages for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.

6. Cancer Prevention

   In India, cases of cancers including oral, cervical and breast cancer increased by nearly 324% between 2017 and 2018 according to National Health Profile (2019 data). While the exact causes of cancer are hard to pinpoint, various studies however have shown that active lifestyle choices, good dietary habits play a crucial part in decreasing our potential risk to the disease.

   These studies have also shown that plant-based diets not only protect against cancer but it also helps improve the process of the treatment. Whole plant-based diets have proven to be massive shields against cancers.So fill your plate with food that grows from the ground. Perhaps the best diet for cancer prevention is all about plants. Add lots of fruits, legumes, vegetables to your plate and skip the animal products.

Summing-up, we should be aware of the fact that animal products are harmful to our bodies.

We are what we eat and we can change the world by the power of plant-based eating and our

overall food choices. Choose wisely!