In a recent report compiled by the World Atlas for ranking the countries with the highest number of vegetarians, India has officially claimed the top spot with 38% of its total population being vegetarian. This is a huge number considering the overall population of India is more than 1 billion people. India also boasts one of the lowest meat consumption rates worldwide. It might be an astonishing thing for outsiders, but as Indians we know how vegetarianism in our country is promoted at multiple levels. So many of our friends and family memes are vegetarians or eggetarians. Vegetarianism in India is not just limited to health concerns or environmental concerns but is deeply rooted in our culture.
Vegetarianism in India is one of the most notable cultural practices and is a conscious choice that is made by many individuals. We see a lot of people giving up on the consumption of meat and poultry as they grow older and turn more towards spirituality. Many ancient texts like Vedas and Upanishads promote the vegetarian lifestyle as it is a more healthy way of living. Hinduism, which is one of the most important religions in India, inspires all believers to give up on the consumption of meat. There is a strong belief in people to respect all forms of life which is why killing animals for consumption is considered a sin.
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Religious Significance
We all know that vegetarianism has a lot of health benefits. A vegetarian diet is not only rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals but also low in saturated fats and cholesterol. The kind of meat that is available in the market these days is artificial and incubated by injecting steroids into animals. This is further leading to lifestyle changes like infertility and early puberty among children. We are indirectly consuming the same steroids that we are putting in the animals. This has led to the rise of veganism among people in which a person gives up all animal-related products including milk and eggs and only consumes plant-based products.
Vegetarianism reduces the chances of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Additionally, Indian cuisine if you look closely has been crafted in a way that you get so many vegetarian options. All the herbs and spices that are used in these dishes not only enhance the taste but also gauze our body from any external viral or bacterial diseases. You can make so many healthy and delicious plant-based dishes in India by using some very simple and common ingredients.
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Impact Of Vegetarianism on India’s Food Culture
If you look closely, you will see that vegetarianism in India has a significant impact on India's food culture. It doesn't matter which part of India you are visiting, you will always find an abundance of vegetarian dishes. These are both healthy and delicious and can be cooked instantly without finding rare ingredients. Vegetarianism in India is not just a culinary practice but a philosophy and a way of living. In simple words, it promotes a live ideology of ‘ live and let live’. It is simply about living your life without disturbing the ecological balance of life and killing anyone unnecessarily to satiate one’s desires.
Vegetarianism in India is also a solution to lack of financial resources. Eating meat is expensive and you also need a lot of other ingredients to cook a non-vegetarian dish. By limiting the consumption of meat, people can maintain their financial balance. Non-vegetarian dishes in many families are only eaten on special occasions and festivals.
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On the other hand, you will also find a lot of families, especially in the northeastern part of the country where fish is a very important part of the diet. Always remember that the dietary practices in a particular area are heavily influenced by the availability. The soil in northern India is fertile and accurate for the growth of a lot of grains and pulses. On the other hand, the soil in the northeastern part of the country is less fertile and does not grow a lot of grains. This is why people have to make the best use of whatever is available.
Today in the modern world, vegetarianism in India is coexisting with a lot of other eating preferences. The eating choices among people are now heavily influenced by a personal perspective rather than a collective expression. This means that people are becoming more aware of what is right and what is wrong for health. Although many people are still sceptical about a vegetarian diet as it is associated with a lack of nutrition, many alternatives are now being discovered for an overall balanced diet.
At last, we would like to conclude the article by saying that eating a healthy diet is very important for the overall well-being of your body. One should make sure that the type of food that they are eating is balanced and does not have chemicals and artificial additives that hamper the body.