(South First neither promotes nor endorses any particular diet or cuisine. The aforementioned story is derived from surveys and the viewpoints expressed by the individuals interviewed.)
If trying a vegan diet is in your bingo card this year, there’s no better time like now. (iStock)
January is always a great time to start new habit especially when it comes to diet and fitness. The renewed energy and enthusiasm that comes with the New Year is perhaps one of the reasons why Veganuary — the annual challenge that urges people to follow a vegan diet — is a popular practice across the world.
People turn to veganism for several reasons. While for some it’s about preventing exploitation of animals, for some others it’s to improve their overall health or to save the planet.
If trying out a vegan diet is in your bingo card this year, there’s no better time like now. And if what’s stopping you is the thought that the vegan alternatives taste bad, aren’t easily available or that you won’t be able to indulge in your favourite desserts, Bengaluru’s vegans assure that those concerns are a thing of the past.
Today, there are several vegan cafes and restaurants around the city and many regular restaurants also cater to vegan dietary requirements. Here, city’s vegans are spilling the beans on their favourite place to eat while shedding light on what made them choose this lifestyle.
IT professional Deepali Nichani embraced veganism in March 2021.
Deepali Nichani (Supplied)
“I have been lactose intolerant for the longest time. During the pandemic, I came across a workshop conducted by nutritionist Upasana Bijoor. It opened me up to a whole new world and showed me the power of a plant-based diet and how it can transform your body completely. It can even reverse diseases,” Nichani tells South First.
Having recently moved to Bengaluru, her go-to place for vegan food is Natureville.
“The food they offer is fresh and they use a lot of local ingredients. The best part is that all of their healthy offerings are tasty as well. They’ve changed the perception that healthy food doesn’t taste good. They also have desserts to satisfy your sweet cravings. Besides, there is a new platter on offer everyday which encourages us to go back and try out all the varieties,” she says.
When corporate health coach Mariam Begg began her whole-food plant-based diet (WFPB), it was mainly for health reasons.
Mariam Begg (marib_wellness)
“I love that one can get so much more nutrients from foods that are not processed and are closest to their natural state. These high vibrational raw foods give us more nutrition in small quantities consumed. I am also a big fan of organics and the quality of food is of utmost importance to me,” shares Begg.
Another strong reason for her came from learning more about animal agriculture and the exploitation of commercially manufactured animal products.
“This is an unsustainable practice. The more commercial it gets, the more cruel it is to the billions of animals involved,” she adds.
For Begg, her go-to vegan place in the city is JustBe in Sadashiva Nagar; Copper & Cloves in Indira Nagar for their indulgent salads and Natureville for their delectable desserts and jams.
“I really appreciate when regular restaurants respect dietary needs and make vibrant food for people who don’t eat animal products. This ensures I get to go out with friends who eat other things and we all are happy,” she shares adding, “Flax in Indiranagar makes amazing vegan salads and my favourite place for a fancy dinner out is Grasshopper. For a once in a while junk fix, I absolutely love the sourdough vegan pizzas from Pizza Bakery and the vegan burgers from Burgers- Melts- Dogs.
For fitness instructor Sheral Pereira, her plant-forward diet began in mid-2021.
Sheral Pereira (Supplied)
She gave up meat in 2018, and eventually diary as a stand against animal cruelty.
The journey so far, she says, has been amazing. “I love how my body feels and I thoroughly enjoy it,” says Pereira, adding that her favourite place to eat out at is Cafe Graze.
“Cafe Grace has whole-food plant-based food. It’s clean and unprocessed. They don’t use refined sugar in their desserts. I’m a very mindful eater, so their food feels right for the body. They also ensure their plates are nutritionally rich,” she shares.
Namu Kini embraced the vegan way of life 7 years back. “I’m an ethical vegan. I have never been able to justify eating animals or using them for leather or any product. It just never felt right to me. That’s why I made the switch. Also, I’m aware that veganism is much better for your health and fitness and good for the planet,” shares Kini who is the founder of KYNKYNY Art Gallery in Bengaluru.
Namu Kini (@namukini/Instagram)
In a country like India, being a vegan doesn’t come with that many challenges.
She shares, “I don’t feel deprived at all. It’s not like I eat vegan cheese and mock meat all the time. I just love simple Indian foods like dal, channa, sambaar and all the vegetables. We get such a variety in India. So I don’t feel like I’m disadvantaged in any way. Even when we go out, all restaurants have options so it’s a normal life for me.”
As for her favourite restaurants in the city, Kini says they are not the vegan places but regular restaurants with vegan options.
“I love Phobidden Fruit Vietnamese Kitchen. I love their vegan tofu sandwich. They offer a lot of vegetables and it’s all very fresh and tasty. I also like the Mexican joint Chinita for their burrito bowl. There is also the recently opened KOKO which has a separate vegan menu with a lot of options,” she shares pointing out one common mistake restaurants make.
“A lot of the restaurants don’t add desserts in theri vegan menu. We like to have an entire meal. So if they can go that last mile and offer that one option, it would be great,” she notes.
Radhika Ravichandran has been a vegan for the last five years. For her, turning vegan was a personal choice — for her mental health, emotional well-being and for ethical reasons.
Radhika Ravichandran (Supplied)
“I had a miscarriage in 2019. My health and my mental health took a toll. I was a typical non-vegetarian earlier. The concept of veganism was very new to me and was introduced by a dear friend. As I had just lost a life, I realised how every life in this world matters. All these years due to lack of awareness I was living a lifestyle which was passed on to us from generations but suddenly everything changed. Overnight, I was enlightened. I quit consuming dairy, poultry or any animal products. This journey helped me with my health, lifestyle, and eating habits. I also started living sustainably,” she elaborates.
But turning vegan was not enough for her. She pursued her Diploma in Animal Protection Laws and is now an Animal welfare Advocate.
“I’m trying to change the system and help as many animals as possible in the process,” shares Ravichandran.
Her favourite vegan restaurant, she says, is JustBe.
“It’s the one of the finest vegan restaurants in the city. It doesn’t matter if you are a vegan, vegetarian or non-vegetarian. It’s a must visit for every foodie in town. The best part is their whole-food plant-based food. It’s totally healthy and one can have food without worrying if it’s guilt free and cruelty free,” she adds.
PR professional Rakhi Tushir embraced veganism soon after she moved to Bengaluru from Gurgaon.
Rakhi Tushir (Supplied)
“It has always been something that’s on my list. I had tried going vegan on and off several times in the past but could not be steady. As I come from Haryana, my diet since childhood has majorly comprised curd, buttermilk, makhan (butter), and milk. However, it worked out this time, I have made a decision to not go back,” says Thushir.
The reason for the decision, she says, is the cruelty that goes behind the dairy industry.
“Cows are forcefully impregnated again and again just to derive milk, their calves are separated right after birth and they are sent off to slaughterhouses. A dairy cow lives just 5-6 years. And a normal cow? It lives for 15-20 years. The dairy industry represents the peak of cruelty. Also, the milk today is adulterated heavily and not that we are missing out on any nutrients,” she opines.
While there’s been bumps along the way, it’s been a great journey so far, she adds.
“I think I need to research more and find relevant substitutes to the dairy-based options. Especially while eating out, not all the restaurants have ample vegan options- and especially for desserts,” says Tushir.
As for her favorite place in the city to eat at, Tushir picks Vegan Vogue for their pasta, and Yauatcha for their vegan options.
(South First neither promotes nor endorses any particular diet or cuisine. The aforementioned story is derived from surveys and the viewpoints expressed by the individuals interviewed.)
May 15, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 13, 2024
May 13, 2024
