Watch: Why Genelia D’Souza Quit Meat And Turned Vegan; “It Started As A Health Concern”
Watch: Why Genelia D’Souza Quit Meat And Turned Vegan; “It Started As A Health Concern”
The actor says her journey from non-vegetarian to vegan was gradual, personal, and rooted in well-being, awareness, and compassion.
Actor Genelia D’Souza has opened up about her transition to a vegetarian and later vegan lifestyle, revealing that the decision was not driven by trends or spirituality alone, but by concerns about her health and the impact of food choices on her body and family.
In a candid conversation with Soha Ali Khan on YouTube, Genelia shared that she gave up meat in 2017, marking the beginning of her journey away from a non-vegetarian diet. At the time, she was not fully plant-based and continued to consume dairy, cheese, and eggs. “I gave up meat in 2017. That was the time I turned vegetarian and not plant-based,” she said, explaining that her first step was instinctive and rooted in how she felt physically after meals.
Born into a non-vegetarian family, Genelia admitted she initially had a very limited understanding of vegetarian food. “I didn’t know any better. I only knew peas, potatoes, and paneer as vegetarian food,” she said. However, as she began reducing meat consumption, she discovered a wider variety of foods and noticed significant changes in how her body responded. She described feeling lighter after meals and becoming more disciplined in her approach to eating and living.
Motherhood also played a role in reshaping her food choices. Genelia said that having children made her more conscious of what she was consuming and the values she wanted to pass on. While she has always loved animals, she acknowledged that giving up meat was not easy at first. “When you start limiting consumption, you realise there is a possibility to enjoy other things,” she said, noting that awareness came gradually rather than through a single moment of realisation.
Her shift to a fully vegan lifestyle happened later, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Genelia explained that her husband, actor Riteish Deshmukh, had already given up meat in 2016, saying it no longer felt right to him. During the lockdown, the couple decided to experiment with eliminating all animal products. “We were home, and we thought, let’s try to get off all animal products altogether,” she recalled.
The results, she said, were immediate and noticeable. Both she and Riteish felt fuller and more aware of how even small amounts of dairy, such as milk or butter, affected their bodies. “Living life a certain way, you never realise the things you are eating every day and how they affect your body,” Genelia said. What began as a health-led decision eventually deepened into a stronger connection with environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
Addressing common concerns around vegan diets, Genelia emphasised that deficiencies are not exclusive to plant-based eating. “Fundamentally, any diet if done wrong can result in deficiency,” she said, pointing out that even meat eaters often suffer from issues such as vitamin B12 deficiency. She stressed the importance of regular health check-ups, understanding one’s clinical reports, and using supplements where necessary.
Genelia also acknowledged that her journey has not been about perfection. “I didn’t do everything perfectly in my year one, and I am still not perfect,” she said, adding that learning and adapting are ongoing processes. For her, veganism is less about labels and more about conscious living, balance, and making informed choices that align with health, family values, and compassion.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or nutritional advice.
