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Listen to your gut: From a vegetarian in veganuary

Dubai - I don’t miss meat. I never have.

I don’t like to talk about what I eat or I don’t.

It’s always someone else who brings it up when they watch me consume greens and tofu, as I steer clear of meat, poultry and fish.

‘Oh, you are a vegetarian’ — it always starts so, with a tone of disappointment in their voice, not mine. If I am fortunate, it’s just their displeasure in my dietary choice that I have to gulp down, if not, then the snarky comments are the menu as well. “Oh gosh, that’s what you eat!’ From there on, everyone begins to talk purely in exclamation marks, and as for me, I am almost unknowingly left with two choices — to stay quiet and indulge in my meal or adopt a defensive mode to dissect the items on my plate, as I balance it out with most accepted views on the table.

Once I fall into the trap of the latter, it’s also expected of me to take sides — turn into an activist for the speechless animals or lift a self-designed shield to protect our beautiful planet.

I love both the planet and animals, but I just want to eat what I wish to, and not get into a discussion on how many potted plants are in my balcony or if I have a furry buddy at home.

I love food. Period.

I chose to adapt to a vegetarian diet when I was pretty young, which was many moons ago. Each of the other family members too made their dietary choices, and we never interfered with one another’s decision.

So, our family, as once someone said, is made up of unconventional diners. We have the omnivores, carnivores, ovo-vegetarians, vegetarians, and other eaters between and beyond. Why am I speaking of it today is because I was recently asked if during January I’d be giving veganism a try. The question did come draped in shades of cynicism and pity.

For the uninitiated, in plant-based news, veganuary — a portmanteau for going vegan, or not eating or using animal products, during January — has kicked off in the New Year, and more than 440,000 people have already signed-up for the 31-day vegan challenge. It has surpassed last year’s total of 400,000 — and sign-ups are continuing at a rate of one person every three seconds (source: veganuary.com).

I haven’t signed up for it yet, but it seemed like a good window to talk about the life of a vegetarian.

So, here are a few things that I have learnt by being one. I love my food, and my dietary choices make up for a great conversation starter.

I grew up in a home, which brimmed with culinary contradictions. We understood early on that ethics and religion aside, it also has to do with our taste buds’ ability to detect different molecules. I don’t ridicule the meal that’s on another’s table. As a passive smoker, I have a choice to sit next to you as you smoke, request you not to, or return when you are done. You get the drift, right?

Though not exactly in a similar vein I don’t remark on the steak on my neighbour’s plate, just as I expect them not to at the broccoli floret on mine.

I don’t offer recommendations to them on ‘medium-well done’ and theirs of me eating cottage cheese doesn’t go well with my appetite.

I don’t miss meat. I never have.

Kudos to the makers of plant-based burger patties, chocolates and nuggets, and of lab-based meats, but I don’t want my food to taste like meat, for I don’t like the very taste of meat. If you are a new vegetarian, and crave the meaty-flavours, good for you, and go for it by all means.

I am often left out in the menus and in parties.

I am also the butt of jokes and memes — biryani vs. pulao, and I don’t mind a hearty laugh.

I have a wry sense of humour, even if I eat just eat the veggies. So yes, whether it’s for the sake of the planet, animals or your health — the reasons to eat ‘only plants’ for 31 days in January is a brilliant idea, whose time has come.

Irrespective of what side of the table you are seated, follow your gut, check with the experts and you don’t necessarily need to buy what I am saying. You have my vote, either way. Am I bothered with the vegetarian jibes?

No, I am more concerned about people’s blissful ignorance.

purva@khaleejtimes.com