World Vegetarian Day: Is Vegetarianism Going To Save The Environment?

World Vegetarian Day is celebrated on the 1st of October to bring awareness to the benefits of vegetarianism. People have cut down on meat consumption and have adopted a vegetarian lifestyle as it's much healthier for our body and mind. A vegetarian diet has dozens of nutritional benefits including lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol and a higher level of antioxidants and Vitamin C. We know why a vegetarian lifestyle is good for us but what about the environment?

We can make fun of people who don't eat meat and are strictly vegetarian, but it's time to get serious and we all know the reality. In a world like today, the environment needs our help more than ever. We are seeing consequences in our environment that are just reflections of our past. It's time to make a change. Our population is growing at a higher pace and the demand for meat consumption is increasing. Eating a vegetarian diet means 2.5 times lesser carbon emissions than a meat diet. Imagine how much carbon footprint you will reduce if you went vegetarian for a year? Multiple organizations and activists have made it a point that we use eco-friendly and animal-friendly products. A vegetarian lifestyle doesn't only mean consuming plant-based food but also means incorporating a much healthier lifestyle that's beneficial for the environment.

In India, about 40% of the population is purely vegetarian. We have so many traditions and customs that literally take us back to being vegetarian and how! For the majority of our population, the daily intake of food is usually vegetarian with a portion of dal, sabzi, roti or rice and yoghurt based accompaniments. If you're someone who's trying to cut down on your meat intake, here's how you can go about it:

1. Cut down on red meat: Consuming a lot of red meat in your daily diet increases the risk of chronic diseases. Cutting down on red meat will reduce the carbon footprint.

2. Say no to animal products once a week: Meatless Mondays are a thing that should also be a part of your week. A day dedicated only to eating plant-based foods can help reduce the demand for meat and will have a positive impact on the environment. One day can make a difference.

3. Find vegan or vegetarian alternatives for your favourite meat: Foods like tofu, paneer, eggplant, and mushrooms give that meaty texture that will make you miss your meat a little less. They are healthy for you and are filled with nutrients that our environment will also be thankful for.

A little difference in your lifestyle can actually make a big difference to the environment.

Happy world vegetarian day!