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No paneer, no honey, no milky chai? The real challenge of going vegan in India

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Embracing veganism in India involves eliminating traditional animal-derived staples like ghee, paneer, and honey alongside non-food items linked to animal exploitation. Although 2021 estimates suggested around 9 percent of the population followed the diet, experts emphasize that these figures rely on self-reported data and varying methodologies. Adherents successfully sustain the lifestyle by relying on naturally plant-based staples like dal, roti, and poha while substituting dairy with tofu, tempeh, and plant-milk curds.

Key points

  • Common traditional meals like rajma, chole, idli, and dosa are inherently plant-based if…: Common traditional meals like rajma, chole, idli, and dosa are inherently plant-based if prepared without dairy ingredients like ghee.
  • Substituting ingredients like paneer with tofu or plant-milk curds allows individuals to…: Substituting ingredients like paneer with tofu or plant-milk curds allows individuals to maintain balanced diets without purchasing expensive imported foods.
  • Transitioning to veganism in India primarily relies on reshaping regular cooking habits t…: Transitioning to veganism in India primarily relies on reshaping regular cooking habits to utilize widely available domestic legumes, grains, and vegetables.

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World Vegan Day is observed annually on November 1.

For many Indians, the day begins with a cup of milky chai, followed by breakfast cooked in ghee. Lunch may come with a bowl of curd and paneer on the menu, while a Sunday meal is often incomplete without chicken curry.These familiar food habits are so deeply woven into everyday life that giving up all animal-derived products can seem like a difficult choice.But for people who turn vegan, the change goes beyond replacing meat with vegetables. It means rethinking everyday ingredients, from milk and butter to honey, as well as choices involving clothing, cosmetics and other products.“There are alternatives for practically everything. You can make curd at home using plant milk, use tofu instead of paneer, and use different nut and soy milks,” says Sarahana, who has been vegan since 2018.On World Vegan Day, observed on November 1, the question is not just why people choose veganism, but what it takes to follow the lifestyle.

Dal, rice, roti, rajma, chole, idli, dosa, poha, upma and vegetable dishes can all be part…

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