MORE & MORE YOUTH TURNING VEGANS

 MORE & MORE YOUTH TURNING VEGANS

Team L&M

Across India, from metros to small towns, a quiet change is taking place in the way many young people think about food. Many of them are turning to eating vegan, avoiding animal products like meat, fish, eggs, milk, curd, paneer, butter, and ghee. Instead, the focus is on eating grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Increased health consciousness, concern for the environment and kindness towards animals are causing this shift, and many youngsters are discovering that eating vegan in India is much easier than they imagined.

Saying No to Meat

According to a consumer insights survey conducted between 2023 and 2024, four out of 10 Indians follow a meat-free diet. “Veganism is not a foreign concept for us. In fact, Indian kitchens have for centuries been creating plant-based dishes full of flavour, colour, and nutrition. Our regular dal, roti, rice, vegetable curries, idli, dosa, poha, and upma are naturally vegan or can be made vegan with just small changes like replacing ghee with cooking oil or coconut milk instead of dairy milk,” according to Prashanth Vishwanath, Country Director – Veganuary India

“In addition to health benefits, eating vegan is low carbon, supports local farmers and encourages us to explore the diversity of produce that our country offers. The youth wants to diversify from rice, roti and dal, and experience the taste of rural India” said Prashanth

Dr. Komal Malik, Head Dietitian Asian Hospital explains, “A well-balanced vegan diet can be rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and fibre. Such a diet can prevent certain forms of cancer, particularly those related to the gastrointestinal tract.” For students, young professionals and athletes, this means better stamina, faster recovery and a stronger immune system.

Veganism Keeps Lifestyle Diseases Under Check

In a country where lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart problems are on the rise even among the youth, this is no small advantage. Dt. Ginni Kalra, Head Dietitian, Aakash Healthcare says, “A vegan diet that is full of fruits and veggies has helped many people achieve their goal of reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight.” In a country where lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart problems are on the rise even among the youth, this is no small advantage.

Vegan food is quite easy to access in India. “Dishes like chana masala, baingan bharta, aloo gobi, masoor dal, and vegetable pulao are already part of our regular menus. Even our snacks – bhel puri, roasted peanuts, pakoras – are often naturally vegan. It is not about giving up taste; it is about rediscovering the variety we already have” explains Prashanth.

For young Indians, choosing vegan is not only about personal health. It is also about being aware of where our food comes from, showing compassion to animals and thinking about the environmental impact of our choices. Every plant-based meal uses fewer natural resources, produces less pollution, and causes less harm to living beings. In a world facing climate change and food security challenges, this is a meaningful step that anyone can take without needing big investments or lifestyle changes.

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