Hectic
lifestyles with a bombardment of health messages sure leave most of us
confused. Most of us try diets, and the latest trend now is a Vegetarian food
diet and there are posh only vegetarian restaurants opening by the dozen!
Transition to vegetarianism is on the rise and more and more people are worried
about what they are eating and soon enough Vegetarian food consumption will
boom worldwide.
DID YOU KNOW?
According
to research, vegetarians tend to live longer on an average than those who eat
meat-based food regularly. This is the main reason why people all around the
world are becoming vegetarians. After all, herbivores are generally healthier
than carnivores. This is also the reason why doctors recommend following a
vegetarian diet to patients with obesity, arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis,
gout, ulcers, arthritis, hypertension, allergies, gallstones, piles, colitis,
kidney stones, depression, and premenstrual syndrome.
Interestingly
Vegetarianism dates back to a time before recorded history. Many
anthropologists believe that most early humans ate primarily plant foods, being
more gatherers than hunters. While being a vegetarian isn’t for everyone
(including me), I meet lots of people every day who tell me they are
vegetarians or would like to become one! According to many big name industry
analysts and food companies, is that vegetarian dining and a reduced level of
meat consumption is a rapid growing top food trend across the world. Proof of
this can be found in the grocery store. Where Heinz used to be the only
vegetarian baked beans available, now there are several varieties on the shelf,
from Campbell’s to store brands. On most menus throughout the US, Canada and
Europe I noticed vegetarian options for those who prefer the vegetarian diet.
Vegetarians believe that this diet is much healthier than the average diet,
which includes animal products. Last time when I flew by Emirates to Seattle,
I noticed the vegetarian meal option seemed very creative for an airplane.
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| The Vegetarian Mezze Platter On Emirates Business Class |
At a
wedding dinner I again noticed a gamut of dishes for the vegetarians and while
eating in a restaurant in India, l have noticed the growing trend toward
vegetarianism.
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| Verdure Ripiene - at Artusi, a posh Italian Restaurant in Delhi |
Interestingly
on a recent trip to Mumbai I stayed at the Sofitel Luxury Hotel and I was
mesmerized by the splendour of classical French Heritage and the magnificence,
beauty and luxury of a world-class hotel. Interestingly with The Bharat Diamond
Bourse aka the world’s largest Diamond Bourse having moved to Bandra Kurla
Complex, Sofitel Luxury Hotel has been smart and opened ‘Tuskers’, a Vegetarian Dining
Bar especially for the selective eaters.
True to its name the
restaurant is inspired by the most regal of creatures, the merciful vegetarians
i.e. the Elephants. I found Tuskers to be a delicious mix of contemporary
ambience echoed in the rich warm leathers, walnut chesterfields, carpets, grill
works, elephant motifs and plush wood. The restaurant had on offer the choicest
vegetarian fare, simmered to perfection in the most exotic spices. To
complement the food, the wine cellar houses a fine repertoire of wines and the
bar offers a range of exclusive and rare single malts, as well as classic
cocktails.
A VEGETARIAN SAGA BY MICHELIN STAR
CHEF VIKAS KHANNA
Master
chef Vikas Khanna recently launched his book alongside KitchenAid’s cordless hand
blender with excellent Vegetarian recipes.
‘Hymns
from the Soil’ is an exquisite
amalgamation of gentle, pure, heart-warming tales from a vegetarian kitchen
that overflows with nature’s harvest. The recipes in the book accentuate the
purity and spirituality of vegetarian food while bringing in cultural and
regional nuances. This food journey is interspersed with Vikas’s own personal
journey – whether it is going back to his kitchen garden in Amritsar and
waiting for the cardamom to grow as a
curious child or to exploring the cardamom spice farms as an adult, with the
same level of excitement and enthusiasm. Hymns from the Soil offers a
heartening tribute as Chef Vikas Khanna bows to Mother Earth.
CELEBRITY BYTES
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| Gaurav Gera |
Shahid
Kapoor is the winner of the title
of Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian Man for 2011 after a fierce battle on PETA Asia
Pacific website. Singer Faye Wong had been crowned Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian
Woman.
 |
| Actor Director Deepak Tijori |
Actor Director Deepak Tijori has been a vegetarian
all his life, ‘I relish simple vegetarian spicy food. I love moong and masoor
dal and any good dish made out of potatoes… and I make the most awesome masala
rice and aloo pyaaz tamatar ki subzi’, shares Tijori.
Gaurav Gera, who is now
the famed “Jhumroo” at Kingdom of Dreams is a vegetarian too and loves salads,
‘Being a pure vegetarian sometimes I don’t have too many options if Iam
travelling’, jokes Gera, ‘That said, My favourite cuisine is South Indian. I
often come to ‘Chennai’ at culture gully at Kingdom of Dreams for the Dosas’,
he further adds.
Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi gave up
Non-vegetarian food as he thinks vegetarian food is healthier.
 |
| Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi |
ORGANICALLY VEGETARIAN
Certified
organic vegetarian products are generally more expensive than their
conventional counterparts; this is because the organic food supply is limited
as compared to demand. Production costs for organic foods are typically higher
because of greater labour input and because farmers don't produce enough of a
single product to lower the overall cost. In spite of that within the last year
most supermarkets began setting up organic vegetarian food sections to sell
mostly locally grown organic produce including fresh vegetables, fruits, rice
and tea. The popularity of organic foods can also be attributed to promotional
and educational efforts conducted by local academic and environmental groups.
All
in all vegetarian practices meet the need of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs…so GO Green…what say?
HEALTH
BENEFITS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN
> Studies have shown
that by following a well-balanced low-fat high-fibre vegetarian diet one would
have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and a
fewer varieties of cancer.
>This diet is
lower in total fat, and one consumes proportionally a lot of polyunsaturated
fat to saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians.
> Look younger -
The content of fibre and lycopene in fruits and vegetables can prevent wrinkles
as it serves as an antioxidant that reduces the potential for skin damage
caused by free radicals.
> With a diet is
full of nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables; one is likely to
maintain a stable blood sugar level more stable. The outcome of this stability
is consistent energy levels, which eventually does not bring about any fatigue
feeling, especially post meals.
> Most of the diet
is capable of detoxing your body naturally.
