For tea or coffee , cashew milk/ almond milk/ soy milk work well. Consumption of tea and coffee, itself is not great for health. They are acidic in nature. It would be great to consider herbal non- caffeinated teas. Can use plant-based milks as transition foods.

Honey is food for the bees. It is not meant for us. They work tirelessly to gather it and produce it by processing it in their mouths. Many bees get killed in the process of removing the honey. Liquid jaggery or date syrup can be used instead.

Spend on fresh produce- fruits and veggies and not on eating out & packaged/ processed food.

All basic foods – fruits, veggies, grains, cereals, legumes, seeds and nuts are vegan and the most affordable.

Ghee and milk do have a place as per Ayurveda texts but we do not live in those times where milk was procured ethically and only if excess after the calf has had its fill. From a health perspective we do not need ghee or milk to thrive.

Today’s milk is responsible for rise in cancer. Everything we need can be found through plants. From a taste point of view coconut butter comes close.

• We need 0.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight.
• Lentils, greens sprouts, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein.
• Bodybuilders and sportspersons all over the world are switching to the vegan diet so that says something.

The main difference between Vegan and vegetarian is not consuming foods or participating in activities which involve use/ misuse of animals.

For ex: Honey, milk, milk products, leather, silk, going to zoos etc.

Video on protein: Click Here

One can eat onion and garlic bring vegan. It is believed onion and garlic are rajasic in nature so can be had in limited quantities or avoided for a balanced state of mind. It is not essential from the being vegan perspective

The way to know if you are getting enough nutrition is to make the switch in a gradual way so the body can adjust especially if one is big on dairy or animal protein foods. Also a few indicators: sustained amount of energy through day without stimulants ( tea, coffee), improved immunity and digestion and efficient bowel movements.

Nothing other than B12 and D3 blood tests unless you already have health issues such as diabetes, thyroid etc. Those you would have to routinely check as recommended by your doctor.

Amul dark chocolate does not contain milk or animal products so it is incidentally vegan.

Cats and dogs are by nature carnivorous. We alter their lifestyle and food habits when we domesticate them and they lose their natural instinct to hunt. So they can be given regular vegan home food without salt, oil and spices. Consulting a vet for supplements for missing nutrition would be a good idea.

On a vegan diet it is possible to not become skinner if you plan your food a bit better and make sure you include lots of coconut and a few nuts and seeds everyday. You can also consult with a plant – based nutrition for a customised plan. Also if you start exercising and start building muscle you might get leaner but not lose inches or weight.

You don’t have to miss out on curd rice. You can make plant based dahi/ curd. Watch this to know how to: Click Here

Turning to a plant-based / vegan lifestyle is a process and even though the word is out there, the entire population won’t turned vegan overnight.. as we will gradually change as a humanity so will the planet. As we demand and consume less animal products, the mass production of animals will slow down too.

Digestion does improve when on a vegan diet but it has to be a healthy vegan diet which does not include fried, processed, refined or junk food and has more of fruits and vegetables. Fries,Samosa, Coke and Oreo are all vegan so if one continues or switches to these foods, they will continue to face digestive issues or develop them eventually .

I personally believe one must make the changes they want to personally make without trying to change / convince others. Find ways to make yourself independent so you don’t have to burden people at home with added responsibility of cooking separately for you or try a vegan tiffin service or join one of our cooking workshops.

If you are already vegan, you can suggest books (like Why we love dogs, eat pigs and wear cows) or movies depending on what would appeal to your family. Refer to our Resources page.

A wholesale market would be a good idea. For personal consumption though ideal would be to buy organic nuts. Anyway not more than a fistful of nuts per day per person is to be consumed.

Also consider what grows near you. Like Goa or coastal region cashews available. Near Kerala or south India coconuts are available. In the North almonds and walnuts are available locally.

• It would be great to use almond milk/ soy milk as a transition food and not make it a staple. The fibre is taken out to make the milk so not the healthiest option. Use occasionally as a treat.
• Dairy and factory farming are worse for the environment – destroying rainforests every minute.

If one is open to it, it makes one more sensitive to all aspects of our life. The clothes we wear, how much we buy, the carbon print of all our consumerism based activities, travel, connection with animals and nature etc. It also gives a person clarity and a sense of calm.

Chickpeas, kidney beans, tempeh are really good options. Chaap or mock meat are great as occasional treats but not recommended for regular consumption as they are processed foods.