Veganism gained widespread popularity last year, and the change is still rampant — with more and more people quitting animal meat and dairy products in order to pledge their support towards animals.
In case you’re confused about the difference between veganism and vegetarianism, we can spell it out for you. While quitting eggs and meat in particular is termed as ‘vegetarian’, altogether giving up on consuming anything that is extracted from animals(which includes dairy) and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals—is termed ‘vegan’.
In the recent past, many celebs have opted for vegetarianism and veganism to switch to a healthier, and a “cruelty-free” lifestyle. Some of them are…
Sonakshi Sinha
A staunch supporter against animal cruelty, Sonakshi Sinha gave up meat to practise what she preached. In turn, it helped her lose a bunch of weight, and the actor confessed that turning vegan helped her in boosting her metabolism.
Alia Bhatt
Chirpy beauty Alia was named as the hottest vegetarian by PETA last year, along with Rajkummar Rao. Alia switched to vegetarianism in 2015 and has admitted to feeling ‘lighter, happier and cooler’ after the diet change. She chose to ditch meat in the summer to beat the heat, but ended up following it even still.
Anushka Sharma
We all have seen Anushka’s cute fur-buddy on her social media—Dude. Who would have thought he would one day be the reason she would give up non-vegetarian food? Yes, in an interview Anushka revealed that she opted for vegetarianism because her pet ‘Dude’ hated the smell of meat. She liked the lifestyle so much, that she would continue it forever!
Jacqueline Fernandez
The winner of the title by PETA—’Woman of The Year’ in 2014, Jacqueline Fernandez stands by eating a clean, wholesome and a healthy diet. To promote the same, she is opening her own restaurant in Mumbai! Jacqueline is an active social worker to protect the cause of animals, and has opted for veganism to steer clear of participating in animal cruelty. Not just this, she is encouraging her family and friends to do the same.
Kangana Ranaut
Like a true native hailing from the hills, Kangana Ranaut had been a hardcore non-vegetarian all through her life. Until she set base in Mumbai, and saw how switching to a vegan life helped her skin, mind and body.
Sonam Kapoor
It’s not surprising for a Kapoor to raise up feasting on meat, and Sonam was no different. Her faves included seafood and curd. Gradually, when Sonam became more fitness conscious and was on her weight loss spree, she turned to vegetarianism, and ultimately hopped on to the vegan bandwagon as dairy products were not suiting her.
Esha Gupta
She changed her lifestyle in 2013, and converted into a vegetarian for life when she realised the consequences of opting for a lifestyle that meant butchering animals. Esha has also been endorsing various ad campaigns for PETA, and enjoys leading her fully plant-based vegan lifestyle.
Ayesha Takia Azmi
Ayesha Takia Azmi was one of the first few to join the vegan bandwagon in 2011, when veganism hadn’t gained popularity in India. She was quoted as saying that reading books on animal cruelty made her question everything she was consuming, and she decided to give up meat to further her cause.
Neha Dhupia
This Bollywood beauty furthers her cause for animal protection by following a vegan lifestyle. Though she wasn’t raised as a vegetarian, Neha Dhupia was never drawn to the meat, and always wanted to ditch it.
Richa Chaddha
Richa Chaddha is a staunch advocate of the vegan lifestyle and has also collaborated with PETA to launch a campaign to persuade people to make the switch. She switched to veganism in November 2014 and also wrote an editorial arguing that ‘human dentition pattern and anatomy is actually better suited for vegetarianism.’
Mallika Sherawat
If Veganism is the fad word now in India, Mallika adopted it years back and was labelled as the Hottest Vegan of 2011. She follows this diet religiously and surely that reflects on her enviable curves and glowing complexion. She believes her clear conscience is an outcome of being a vegetarian since childhood.
Adah Sharma
A true-blue animal lover and life-long vegetarian, Adah Sharma claims that to “achieve a healthy and fit body”, veganism is the way to go. She also steers clear from using any items that use animal products or are tested on animals.
Rekha
Bollywood’s yesteryear actress Rekha is among the hottest vegetarian celebrities named by PETA. “I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life and can endorse the fact that it affects the way you think and perceive life”, Rekha said in an interview.
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan is a Tamil-Brahmin and was conferred the title of the hottest vegetarian celebrity of 2012. She also believes that being vegetarian contributes to weight loss, and she credits her curves to her meat-free diet.
Lisa Haydon
Lisa Haydon has been a vegetarian since birth and reveals that her mother has kept her on the path on vegetarianism strictly. She also keeps away from the consumption of dairy products.
Going vegan is hardly a cake walk, but if we believe these celebrities, it’s worth all the effort. However, it’s also important to make sure you have the proper know-how and are equipped with all the facts about a vegan diet, before making the switch.
