Indians Have An Advantage When Going Vegan. Here's Why.

Even though a large share of Indians follow some kind of vegetarian diet, many people are beginning to move towards veganism.

Veganism is different from vegetarianism because it excludes not just eggs and meat, but also dairy products as well. 

If that sounds too restrictive, you’ll see in this blog that Indians have an inherent advantage to going vegan!

You Have Plant-Based Food All Around You In India, Look For It!

Idly, vada, sambar, chutney, masala dosa, appam with vegetable stew, puttu, paranthas, chapati, poha/avalakki, and channa masala are just a few of the numerous Indian breakfasts you can relish. And since Chinese/Asian cuisine is easy to find, you can eat authentic noodles, fried rice, tofu dishes, manchurian, and more on a routine basis. A thali (except the curd) is definitely a go-to option. 

There Are Affordable Vegan Products Available

There are numerous recipes for homemade plant-based dairy products that you can find with just a click of a button.

But if you do not have the time, you can always find affordable alternatives from a variety of brands. Be it mylk for your masala chai, cheese for your chili toast, or curd for dahi vada, everything is available out there! 

India is becoming a leader in plant-based foods, so expect to see many more options available to you over the coming years!

Prices may be initially high, but let’s get together, increase demand for plant-based products to tweak the supply-demand charts. 

Customisable - No Cheese, More Salsa Please? 

If you are out with a bunch of friends and want to order plant-based food, skim through the vegetarian or vegan section of the menu and customise it! You could skip the cheese on nachos and add more salsa instead. 

You could request for no ghee to be added to your food and skip curd/raita. Talking about your preferences works and ensures you have a good dining experience.

Of course, you can always hit up a hotel and get tomato soup (without cream), noodles, mushroom manchurian, samosa chaat, and more without much customisation!

Explore New Recipes

One of the best parts about switching to a plant-based lifestyle is that you start to look at the world around you through a lens of rationality, and that means so many new things become available for you to explore. 

There are numerous easy and tasty recipes out there that also allow you to have a good relationship with your body. Staples like cashews, almonds, peanuts, and other ingredients can recreate dairy-like textures and tastes, while mushrooms, jackfruit, soya chunks, tofu, etc can replicate a meaty texture. 

Chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies can be made with very similar recipes by replacing dairy products with easily available or homemade alternatives. Try it out!

New Traditions Are Welcome!

If you’re the only one who is plant-based in your circle, it may feel isolating sometimes. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t build relationships by talking about why you decided to take the plunge and encourage your friends and family, too. You can start a tradition of get-togethers where everyone can come together to savour plant-based dishes, bond over food and find new friends with similar interests!

If you’re getting married, why not go for a vegan wedding menu? If you’ve been thinking about that, check out How Two Couples Celebrated Their Vegan Indian Wedding. You can have a fully traditional ceremony, but with plant-based products instead. 

Eating Healthier 

This is a win-win situation because eating more fruits and vegetables can never harm your health. An increasing number of doctors and nutritionists recommend eating more plant-based foods for a positive impact on cholesterol levels, your heart, and living an overall healthier life. A carb-heavy plant-based burger or pizza can certainly be savoured, but balance is the key. 

Indian cuisine, especially dishes that are vegan by default, can be consumed if you follow a whole foods plant-based diet. That is, if oil is avoided or reduced. And that’s a pretty great start! All the spices and fresh ingredients are what our bodies truly crave. 

A plant-based diet can have a positive impact on your health, our climate, and help vote for a world where we live our ethics. It may seem daunting to switch your dietary preferences, but hopefully this can remind you that you have the advantage!