I have been a vegetarian almost all my life, and mostly thanks to my family and the Indian culture. India has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world, so that really made it easier for me to transition to a vegan diet later on. I did try fish and chicken at some point. This was fortunately very short-lived. Once I started following courses, I gained more knowledge about how our food choices impact the planet. One particular course, Demography and Population issues, inspired me the most. It discussed in part major problems due to lifestyle choices made by people, especially what they eat.
And then I decided to go vegan for a few months! I could directly feel the changes in my body. It even inspired me to audition for a TED talk. The topic was ‘Personal/Ecological transformation'. I talked about the amazing benefits I witnessed in my body by going fully plant-based in just under 6 months! The biggest was that my blood pressure readings became completely normal. Also, I started feeling more energized, and my concentration improved. However, where I was pretty strict for around half a year with a diversified diet including veggies, fruits, nuts, lentils, legumes, and healthy fats, along with a pill of vitamin B12 once a week, my motivation faded away during the winter of 2016. I went back to comfort food, like unhealthy (vegan) snacks and a diet full of sugar and carbohydrates. Within a month, all the positive changes faded away, and I went back to eating dairy products after a talk with my doctor, who was concerned about my alarmingly low vitamin D & B12 levels. It took high dosage vitamin pills & a whole winter for me to get out of a miserable situation, and it took a toll on my studies as well, as I fell into depression due to my poor grades at University.
Once spring arrived, I found more energy, started going out for walks in the sun and buying fresh vegetables and fruits at the market. This was when I came across the documentary ‘Cowspiracy’ Watching this documentary really opened my eyes to a whole new world. Although I read about the negative impacts of meat & dairy on our health & the planet, it was never in so much detail. At this point, I decided to go back to plant-based eating again. This time I was also more careful, as I knew that if I go plant-based, I have to do it the right way. I cannot survive on fries and vegan pizzas forever! This is when I decided to dive deeper into the world of nutrition, and read more about veganism and eating plant-based. I learned about the adverse health effects of meat & dairy on our health, and how big a role animal agriculture plays in wildlife and biodiversity loss, due to the clearing of land for livestock on such a big scale.
This is the time when I also met Daniëlle. I still remember that our first date was all about talking about these issues. I was so happy to have someone with whom I could share all this newly acquired knowledge. Thankfully Danielle also shared the same passion and was already following a vegetarian diet. We together dived deeper into learning more about diet and nutrition. At this point, we both were eating 90% plant-based. As the plant-based movement hadn’t picked up that much steam yet, there were few alternatives available in supermarkets for milk products. Also, almost all ingredients had milk as an ingredient, which most vegans can relate to. We were trying our best to go fully plant-based. Daniëlle even joined a 1-year online course to become a certified diet consultant. Once she finished her study, she launched Hey Groentje. At this point, we both were eating fully plant-based. We were cooking more together and mostly wholefood plant-based Indian recipes! We found out that the Indian kitchen is one of the best suited to following a healthy, diversified plant-based diet. It includes lots of different grains, lentils, legumes, vegetables, nuts, etc. After a few months of guiding people on following a plant-based diet, we together decided to share the passion we developed for the plant-based Indian kitchen with a wider audience, and it gained so much popularity directly, that we went on doing this full time!
I strongly believe that the single most important action an individual can take towards their own health, and that of our planet is to follow a plant-based diet that has a diverse variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, lentils, legumes, nuts, & seeds. From my own experience (after following all kinds of plant-based diets in the past 6 years), I can assure you one thing- the more of above mentioned diverse food items you will eat, the better you will feel. Also, cut out all that processed food from your diet. Of course, a bag of chips once in a while shouldn’t do too much harm. So don’t make it too strict on yourself. Also, know that it’s not a crime if accidentally you eat something that’s not vegan. The transition to a fully plant-based lifestyle takes time and a lot of determination. Focus on acting responsibly, and try to make compassion an integral part of your life. We should not forget that our actions on what we choose to put on our plates determine the lives of millions of animals worldwide, not only of the animals we eat or indirectly kill by consuming dairy, but also the immense loss of biodiversity, that we knowingly or unknowingly contribute to. And finally don’t forget to enjoy the journey, as it will enable you to discover superfoods and feel better than ever!