World Vegan Day 2022: Is veganism possible on a budget? Long-term Mumbai vegans say it is

Kuntal Joisher turned vegan almost 20 years ago when veganism wasn't even fashionable or a term that was heard of in India. Luckily for him, Joisher, who was a student at the time in the US, was living in Los Angeles which was one of the cities where veganism was a known lifestyle and it was easier to get vegan food alternatives. However, that wasn't so much the case when he came back to Mumbai in 2007. The Ghatkopar resident eased into the process, starting by making soy milk himself at home. Within a year, he says he found everything he needed around him - all he had to do was ask for it.

Every year, January is celebrated as Veganuary, a challenge started by a UK-based not-for-profit organisation in 2014 to promote and educate people about veganism. While the change has been happening the world over, India is not far behind and according to insiders, the community is growing faster than ever before. Still, brands that tout this lifestyle can often seem aspirational or prohibitively expensive. However, Mumbaikars like Joisher who have lived this way for two decades believe one doesn't have to loosen their purse strings too much to become vegan if they believe in the cause against cruelty to animals.

Easily vegan
Interestingly, the transition to becoming a vegan was organic for 42-year-old Joisher, whose family is vegetarian. All he had to do was make the switch after he realised that becoming vegan goes beyond food and is actually a lifestyle, after speaking to a few like-minded individuals who questioned his choices at the time. He explains, "Consuming vegan food isn't really expensive because the basic Indian diet is already quite significantly vegan. We have always been consuming fruits, vegetables, rotis and dals. Almost 75 - 80 per cent of our diet is already vegan, it is only the rest milk or dahi on the side that tends to be non-vegan."

Basically, the change in food happens only when people have to find alternatives to cow milk and cheese. Luckily for him the latter wasn't really much a part of his diet, so it only meant that he had to look for soy milk and nut milk. "The prices for these alternatives are as competitive as the regular choices," says Joisher, adding, "Even tofu and mushrooms (popularly known as mock meat) are easily available at the local kirana near you and that is why people don't have to really go looking for options". The fitness and nutrition coach says even vegan protein powder is cheaper than the whey protein powder that is available these days, and that is how much the market has changed over time. However, vegan cheese or ice cream is still more expensive than those available in the market, Joisher notes, but there are many other products that are accidentally vegan - biscuits like Oreos, Monaco and Hide ‘n' Seek, or even sweets that are not fried in ghee.

Choosing flexibility over rigidity
In Bandra, music producer and comedian Nigel Rajaratnam turned vegetarian 10 years ago and vegan five years after that. It was because he wanted to take a more holistic approach to his mental and physical health. "I decided to turn vegan when I realised I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of killing animals for my food consumption," says 34-year-old Rajaratnam. However, he isn't someone who loudly proclaims that he is vegan as it is a personal lifestyle choice, something he says often gets lost. Rajaratnam, like Joisher, believes, "one can never truly be fully vegan" as he has seen ‘vegan-shaming' happen within the community too.

Rajaratnam points out that being vegan is challenging but if one has sorted out what works for them and what doesn't, it becomes easier. "Since most milk alternatives are usually made of nuts, using coconut milk or soy milk is ideal and it is easily available," says Rajaratnam, who has made soy milk at home. The music producer, who prefers to be a flexible vegan, has been reading more about the subject ever since he turned vegan and believes that it may not always be easy to be completely vegan. He explains, "The requirements for Vitamin D, B12 and zinc may not be easily met with a vegan diet, so it's important to realise that since they are fundamental requirements for the body, they can't be ignored." While supplements may be around, being exposed to enough sunlight and eating vegetables can help, Rajaratnam, who faced the effects of the infections when he switched initially, took the luxury of eating whatever was available during the pandemic, reiterates that knowing what works for you is the best way forward.

Home is where the food is
Tanvi Sawant, another Bandra resident, believes turning vegan is easier than most people think. While adopting the lifestyle may take long, Sawant says most Indians have always eaten rice, dal and rotis and that is already a vegan approach to food. Interestingly, the artist turned vegan only in 2012 after she started going to the gym. The fitness enthusiast explains, "Since I have been into working out, kickboxing and MMA, I wanted to consume more protein than I used to. However, the regular milk did not work for me because I got an allergy and that's when I switched to almond milk."

That is probably the only inclusion she had to make in her diet because she didn't consume dahi (curd) either way but says that many brands sell vegan curd now. Ask her if it is feasible for most people to afford almond milk, and she says, "Yes, almond milk is expensive but an alternative for that is oat milk, which my mother makes at home. Since I am a coffee person, I need milk in the coffee and that's when I use either almond or soy or oat milk," explains the 29-year-old, who says making alternative milk at home is not only easier but also cheaper. The milk is made by mixing oats with water and obtained by squeezing it out of a cloth. Roughly 100 grams (approximately Rs 25) of oats will make 700 grams of milk.

Tips by Kuntal Joisher for those looking to turn vegan

Don't be harsh on yourself
Every person has their own journey. Some may turn vegan one meal at a time, one item at a time or be vegan one day a week and transition slowly. Getting back on track and making the effort is more important. At the end of the day, it is progress over perspective.

Find a support system
You may be the first vegan in your family and locality, so it is important to find support from other like-minded people and vegans online. Veganuary is a great resource for support with recipes, tricks and tips to make the transition easier.

Ease in by trying alternatives
Start by trying out alternatives to milk like nut milk, soy milk. Choosing soy milk is ideal because it is as good as cow milk for its nutritional value. Eating tofu is also another option as it is a reasonable protein source and can be included in the diet. For those looking at eating chocolates, the Amul dark chocolate is vegan and can be eaten by people who want to turn vegan.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Mid-day Online does not in any way endorse the accuracy, completeness, efficacy or timeliness of any advice or line of treatment mentioned in this article. Readers must always seek the advice of a certified medical practitioner and/or nutritionist first before initiating any changes to their diet plans or fitness routines, and deciding on or starting any course of treatment.