Dhara Vora Sabhnani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 10, 2019)

If announcements to go meat-free have been clogging up your social media feeds, it’s because this is clearly not some transient fad. Not only is vegetarianism perceived as a healthy path, the diet is widely viewed as the most ethically-conscious choice to make. Celebrities who have jumped on the bandwagon share their experiences.

Varun Sharma
The Fukrey actor is known for his comic timing, but when it comes to his focus on health, actor Varun Sharma is dead serious. Sharma turned vegan three years ago, when he felt the first bites of conscience. “These days, when we’ve learned so much about co-existing with nature, killing animals for food just seemed like a poor choice — for one's health, as well as the environment,” says Sharma. “No civilised society can progress without coming around to a means of co-existing in harmony with the environment.” Sharma tells us that he just decided to quit one day, and then stuck to that decision — “It was as simple as that” he says.

The choice affected his fitness levels, the actor tells us, but only for the better. “I feel more energised, and have a clearer conscience too,” he says. Naturally, he says, he does not miss meat. “It’s the 21st century. There’s no dearth of alternatives to meat,” says Sharma.


Richa Chadha
Though Chadha has been a vegetarian for years now, the actor decided to quit animal-origin products altogether fairly recently.

“Though my family’s Punjabi — a group that’s widely perceived as being strictly non-veg — our household was vegetarian,” says Chadha. “And, we always had pets growing up, so, as a child, I struggled to understand why dogs were so loved by all, yet people had no qualms about killing fish, chicken and goats for food.”

The actor, who turned vegan about two-and-a-half years ago, when she discovered how cruel the dairy industry is, tells us that even her family members have embraced veganism now. “I don’t know how many people realise that cows are kept pregnant practically through their lifespans so they can provide milk for us — and that calves are dragged away from their mothers, so that the milk that is rightfully theirs may be sold for profit. The whole process is incredibly cold and heartless,” says Chadha.

The actor says she felt lighter after she quit animal-origin foods, “both physically, and at heart.”

She’s also convinced that her skin and hair benefitted from the dietary change, which, she says, posed its share of challenges. “I have to admit, it was difficult for me to give up paneer and curd — parantha and dahi was a staple in our home. But the foods you choose to eat are a matter of habit, like any other — and it’s just a question of deciding to change your bad habits at the end of the day,” she says.


Athiya Shetty
“I don’t know how long this will last, but I feel healthier and am eating cleaner,” says Shetty, who turned vegetarian in January this year. “I think my body needed some sort of a change, and I’m loving it,” she says. Though she’s eaten meat all her life, Shetty says, “I haven’t missed meat so far.”

Her decision, she says, has shocked her family though. “Sundays were always ‘lal maas’ days at home, but now my diet has to be accommodated in the menu, too,” says Shetty, who is taking one step at a time, and isn’t committing to a lifetime of veggies as yet. “I’m still testing the waters,” she says.

Sunny Leone
It was an international event that convinced Sunny Leone to switch teams — the actor was horrified by the Lychee and Dog Meat Festival that takes place in China annually. “I was very disturbed when I learnt what the animals are put through,” says Leone. “They are burned alive, boiled alive, beaten, their feet are cut off…many dogs are shoved into tiny crates. I started crying when I saw the videos,” says Leone, adding, “I couldn’t even bring myself to look at meat after that,” says the actor, who is also a mother of three. 

Athiya Shetty on feeling good about oneself and why she feels that marathons are a great way to support a cause and stay fit
Upala KBR (DNA; March 25, 2017)

The lithe Athiya Shetty is genetically blessed with a great figure, nevertheless the young actress works out every day with her trainer, even while shooting outdoors. Also, the Shetty beti tells us she has run a marathon before. Here, she shares some tips..

Balance is important
Balance in everything is key, believes the actress. “I’m blessed with a great metabolism. I’ve never believed or tried extreme diets. I eat whatever I want, because I love food! But I think it’s essential to have a proper exercise routine in place. I weight train at least five days a week,” she shares.

“For me, fitness means the correct balance between body and mind. You must feel good about yourself and your body. I try and eat right. I do follow a diet where I try and incorporate the right amount of carbs, fat and protein. In terms of workouts, I do weight training five times a week, where I work on strengthening and endurance. My three essential principles of fitness that I always follow are: early to bed-early to rise, regular workouts and a balanced diet.

A slew of changes
Depending on where she is, Athiya does change her diet and some part of her workouts. She tells us, “Currently I’m in London, so my diet changes according to my access to food and where I am. My workouts are quite standard. I stick to weight training because it’s necessary for my body type, but of course there’s always a change in exercises.”

Early sports connect
Growing up, she swam, played football, basketball, and was a track-and-field athlete. She credits her father for a general love of sports.

“My father (Suniel Shetty) had a rule — we had to play one sport every season after we were done with school, which I think really helps in so many other ways. It also helps build teamwork, skills and discipline. Even today, whenever I get the opportunity you’ll see me playing football downstairs, I love playing the sport.

Best exercises
For me the best form of exercise is weight training. I love it. It helped me especially because I had a weak back, and over the years it’s really helped me strengthen my lower back, which is required in our profession, when it comes to dance and even action. I also enjoy Pilates, it’s extremely important to stretch your body, and understand the importance of body posture, which I’ve learnt through Pilates.

Know your body
She feels that fitness is important for men and women. “I think every individual should strive to be fit. And by fit, I mean a balance between the body and mind, it’s not only about looking good, but maintaining it and feeling good about yourself. I think women should know that their bodies are strong and are capable of doing anything given the correct form and exercise, weight training is not only for men. It’s about finding what fits you and suits you,” she says

Regular marathoner
Terming marathons a great way to get the community together to support a cause and be fit at the same time, Athiya shares her causes, “I have taken part in a marathon in the past to support Save the Children India. I also used to do the Terry Fox Marathon every year.”

iCan’s a fab concept
The Shetty girl is aware of the DNA iCan Women’s Half Marathon and feels the concept is “absolutely fabulous”.

Last words
She feels, “It’s very important for women to be fit and take fitness seriously. A woman goes through a lot physical changes and I feel if we work out and give importance to fitness, it will only help for our betterment.”