Bhumi Pednekar on turning vegetarian for the environment: “Eating meat just didn’t feel good anymore”

Bhumi Pednekar took to Instagram to share an update with her fans—she has given up meat and had been following a vegetarian diet through the lockdown. “For many years I had the want to go vegetarian. But breaking habits are very tough," she shared about her journey to getting here. “My journey with Climate Warrior taught me a lot. It made me more compassionate towards other species and made me more humble. Eating meat just didn’t feel good anymore. So I took a decision in the lockdown and did what I was contemplating to do for a while now and one day I announced to the fam, that I’m giving up non-vegetarian food," she wrote. 

The actor's sustainability initiative ‘Climate Warrior’ aims to raise awareness about climate change among her fans and followers. She has been mobilising them to contribute toward protecting the environment. "It aims to focus on awareness building and engaging with the youth across India so that we become more conscious of our climate and environment, to encourage passionate advocacy for its conservation and protection and makes us think towards making environment-friendly life choices," Pednekar had shared earlier in this year. Experts say that replacing meat with vegetarian sources of protein can reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, a vegetarian diet needs less amounts of land, water and resources to grow. "Today it’s been a few months and I feel good, guilt-free and physically strong,” she shared in her statement. Eating a mostly plant-forward diet can ensure that you have a strong nutritional profile, and can reduce the likelihood of heart disease and cancer. 

Pednekar is being cheered-on by friends and fellow-celebrities for her decision. Anushka Sharma reposted her post on her Instagram stories with the caption, “Welcome to the vegetarians club.” Sharma also commented on her post with a positive affirmation: “Yass girl." Shraddha Kapoor, Dia Mirza and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor echoed this sentiment too. 

For the actor, it is a stark difference from her diet back in 2019. “Currently, I consume 20gm of carbs a day, lots of salad, and lean meat. I try staying away from dairy. My breakfast is an omelette with a slice of gluten-free bread, or egg whites with nuts. Lunch is kale and rocket with grilled chicken, pesto and avocado,” she shared back then. But all in all, her “happy state of mind” is reached when she is “eating right, working out and being healthy,” which is where she's at now.

Also read:

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