Is India's shift to veganism a cultural evolution or a health revolution? Check out the rising trend and motivations behind the nation's embrace of plant-based lifestyles.
Why India is leaning towards embracing veganism?
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 16, 2023 11:44 IST
India is leaning towards embracing veganism. A substantial majority of Indians express an interest in experimenting with a vegan diet. A recent national survey on the mood of the nation reports that Indians are overwhelmingly in favour of eating plant-based food. The survey was organised by Veganuary India, a global charity that has inspired millions to try veganism.
INDIA'S RESOUNDING VOTE FOR VEGANISM UNVEILED
The survey has been carried out by market research firm YouGov’s India panel drawing responses from 2033 participants (across India). 59 per cent of the respondents expressed a strong likelihood of considering a vegan diet shortly, clearly demonstrating that India’s majority has voted for Vegan. It is a clear majority, as nearly 60 percent of Indians want to try being vegan.
Furthermore,74 per cent of respondents believe that a vegan diet is good for overall health, 73 percent feel it helps stop animal exploitation, 72 per cent believe it is good for the environment, and 62 per cent feel it is an easy lifestyle to maintain.
IS VEGANISM REDEFINING INDIA'S CULINARY LANDSCAPE?
Busting popular myths that a vegan diet is difficult to sustain, 61 per cent of respondents think a vegan diet has enough food choices to explore, and 55 percent say it does not compromise on taste.
The survey further brought to the fore interesting insights into the changing dietary patterns of the Indian population, revealing a significant inclination towards a vegan lifestyle.
INDIA'S HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CULTURE
Sharing his thoughts on the survey, Mr Prashanth Vishwanath, Country Director, Veganuary India, said, “The reasons for a vegan diet being popular amongst Indian youth are interesting. While 6 out of 10 people attribute it to increased health consciousness, specific reasons such as achieving an ideal body weight are more among flexitarians. This shows that a vegan diet is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, motivation and previous diets. The Indian public has voted for change, and helped by Veganuary’s range of free resources and guidance, they can exercise their choice to transition into a healthier plant-based lifestyle.”
EXPLORING THE ROOTS AND ROUTES OF INDIA'S VEGAN MOVEMENT
Significantly, nearly 70 per cent of respondents believe that India's rich tradition of vegetarianism could be instrumental in propelling the success of veganism. Flexitarians emphasise the ease of integrating veganism into traditional Indian recipes as another influential factor.
Close to 60 per cent of people perceive improvement in gut health as one of the top health benefits provided by a vegan diet. A higher number of vegans & vegetarians also think that it helps improve your mood.
Veganuary’s participant surveys support these perceptions. Forty-nine percent of the Veganuary 2023 participants surveyed reported improvements to their mood, and 47 per cent of respondents reported improvements to their overall health.**
The findings of the YouGov survey reveal a growing awareness of health, cultural heritage, and environmental considerations shaping dietary choices in the country.
* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov India. The total sample size was 2033 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st – 3rd November 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Indian adults (aged 18+).
**These survey results reflect the feedback from official sign-ups. Veganuary sent the survey to 79 percent of the 706,965 people who signed up during the 2023 campaign. It had a response rate of 3 percent (16,829 respondents).
Published By:
vaishnavi parashar
Published On:
Dec 16, 2023
FAQs
In addition, 74% of people think a vegan diet is beneficial for their health in general, 73% think it helps put an end to animal cruelty, 72% think it's good for the environment, and 62% think it's easy to stick to. Even though veganism is relatively new in India, it's expected to have a big impact.
Is India good for vegans? ›
India offers a vegan paradise with its wide array of plant-based ingredients and naturally vegan dishes. Vegan food in India is not only delicious but also nutrient-rich, low in fat and calories, and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
What percent of India is vegan? ›
Summary table
| Country | Vegetarians (% of population) | Approx. no. of individuals |
|---|
| India | 20–39% | 276,000,000 |
| Ireland | 4.3–8.4% | 153,500 |
| Israel | 13% | 1,046,000 |
| Italy | 5.9–8.9% | 3,540,000 - 5,340,000 |
41 more rowsOne of the primary factors that make veganism accessible in India is the affordability of locally sourced fruits and vegetables. With a vast agricultural landscape and favorable climatic conditions, India produces a wide variety of seasonal produce throughout the year.
What does Hinduism say about veganism? ›
The Kural, a c. 5th-century-CE secular text of Hindu or Jain origin, insists on moral vegetarianism or veganism. These texts strongly condemn the slaughter of animals and meat eating.
Which Indian state has most vegans? ›
Rajasthan. Rajasthan has 74.9% of Vegetarians.
Which country is mostly vegan? ›
United Kingdom. Compared to all the countries in the world, the UK has the most vegans.
Which is the most vegan city in India? ›
This World Vegan Month (November), PETA India is recognising Udaipur as India's Most Vegan-Friendly City of 2023. In thanks for encouraging vegan-friendly establishments and a growing vegan community, Shri Govind Singh Tank, mayor of Udaipur Municipal Corporation, received PETA India's certificate.
Can vegetarians survive in India? ›
Of-course ! A vegetarian person will surely and that too happily survive in India. India is a country which is a mix of many cultures and traditions. The recipes of India are a great and world famous ranging from vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes.
Which country is 100% non-vegetarian? ›
Which Country is 100% Non Vegetarian? As per our findings, there's no country where 100% of the population is non-vegetarian. However, some countries have a higher consumption of meat because of cultural or religious factors, i.e., China, Brazil, and the USA, among others.
No other country or part of the world has anywhere close to the number of vegetarian people as India, either in percentage of the population or in total number. India is the unique outlier. Going by percentage of the population, Mexico is the second most vegetarian country, at 19%, then Brazil and Taiwan at 14%.
What Indian dish is vegan? ›
Some vegan-friendly North Indian curries include chana masala (chickpea curry in a tomato sauce), aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower in a ginger garlic turmeric sauce), baingan bharta (mashed eggplant), bhindi (okra), cabbage, and aloo matar (potatoes and peas in a spiced tomato sauce).
How vegan friendly is India? ›
Veganism is easy to incorporate into the Indian diet as the cuisine has a plethora of vegetarian recipes and many of them are already vegan or can be made vegan with easy substitutions. Susmitha and Mallika add that this is more so in South Indian food cultures.
Why veganism is growing in India? ›
Environmental Awareness: Growing concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of animal agriculture have motivated many Indians to adopt a more sustainable vegan lifestyle.
How many celebrities are vegan in India? ›
Celebs like Sonam Kapoor, Aliaa Bhat and Soundarya Sharma became vegan in favour of animals and their affection for them. Soundarya, who is a BigBoss contestant has been vocal about her choice of a vegan lifestyle to prevent animal suffering and has stuck to it in the house too.
How long have Hindus been vegan? ›
Historians have shown that at the time of the oldest Hindu sacred text, the Rig Veda (dated to the second millennium B.C.), cow meat was consumed by Indians. Over time, particularly from the fourth century B.C., vegetarianism began to spread among India's Buddhists, Jains and some Hindus.
Do any religions practice veganism? ›
Yet, today's industrial milk production is no more compassionate than meat production. There are vegan Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu groups, blogs and information hubs, where followers can find out more about how an animal-free diet strengthens and supports their own beliefs.
Is a vegan diet practical? ›
A vegan diet may contribute to weight loss and help people manage their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It may also help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. A well-planned vegan diet may offer a range of health benefits.
