As the world observed World Vegetarian Day yesterday, actress Jacqueliene Fernandez shares her tale of embracing the meatless lifestyle. Her turning vegetarian was more than a passing fancy; it was a thoughtful reckoning with the intersection of body, mind, and planet. “My journey into vegetarianism was deeply personal,” she boasts, adding, "As public figures, we have the platform to inspire and educate people.

When someone in the public eye talks about a lifestyle shift like vegetarianism, it opens a conversation. We can show that living more sustainably and compassionately doesn’t mean sacrificing fitness or well-being."

In conversation, she talks about the contours of her journey to vegetarianism.

Jacqueliene’s journey into vegetarianism began with a quest for mental clarity and connection with nature. She was influenced by the teachings of an Indian American Yogi and Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. "I visited his ashram in Madh Island during a challenging time—my mother had suffered a stroke, and I wasn’t able to be with her in Bahrain. That period of reflection made me realize how much I wanted to prioritize mental clarity and connection with nature. On January 1, 2022, I decided I wouldn’t touch meat again. It was a shift I made for my peace and well-being,” she recalls.

The Housefull 2 actress admits ‘adopting a meatless lifestyle has been a transformative experience’ for her. “It’s not just about the physical changes, though those are important; it’s about mental clarity and peace. After I decided to stop eating meat, I found that I felt much more balanced and in tune with myself. It gave me a sense of peace, and I felt lighter both mentally and emotionally. It’s helped me shift from focusing on outward appearances to how I feel inside,” she elaborates.

It is often said that one cannot have six-pack abs or muscles without having meat as the main source of protein in their diet. Being one of the fittest stars in the industry, the Murder 2 actress dispels the myth. 

“There’s a misconception that you need meat to achieve a strong, fit body, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. After transitioning to a meatless diet, my focus shifted from aesthetics to balance. It’s no longer about whether something will make me look better but whether it’s nourishing. I still get plenty of plant-based protein from sources like legumes, tofu, quinoa, and good-quality protein powder supplements. My energy levels are great,” she shares.

She doesn't endorse turning vegetarian overnight. She explains, "Just listen to your body and make choices that are right for you. You don’t have to become vegetarian overnight but start by incorporating more whole-food and nutrient-rich food that are derived from plants into your life. It’s not just about health, but also about contributing to a kinder, more sustainable world. Every small step counts."

Growing up in Sri Lanka, curry was a big part of my childhood. My signature dish is my meatless mushroom curry —it’s packed with flavor, and everyone loves it. And I have a YouTube recipe coming up soon.

I’d invite Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Anushka Sharma. Anushka is also an animal advocate who adopts a meatless lifestyle so we will have a lot of recipe notes to share, Akshay is passionate about fitness and I’d love to hear more of what’s on his plate, and John whose is a vegetarian, and advocates for animal welfare.

I love healthy snacks so when I’m travelling I always head to the local organic store and look for all the plant based healthy snacks, I recently found Makhana in a store in London which was a lovely surprise.