Why Bollywood star Genelia D’Souza went vegan and how it helped her health
Feeling sluggish after meals or wondering if your plate could actually energize you instead of dragging you down? That’s exactly where Bollywood’s Genelia D’Souza found herself, and it sparked a health wake-up call that changed everything. in a heartfelt chat with Soha Ali Khan on her youtube channel, she got real about ditching meat back in 2017 and going full vegan by 2020 – a shift that started selfishly for her body but stuck around for good reasons. Though, this might feel a little outdated, but growing health concerns and debates over veganism, Genelia’s story still resonates, showing how one small tweak can ripple into lasting wellness.
That first meat-free leap
“I gave up meat in 2017, that was the time I turned vegetarian and not plant-based,” Genelia shared with Soha Ali Khan on her YouTube channel. She still kept dairy, cheese, and eggs in the mix then. Growing up in a meat-loving family, her idea of veg food was pretty basic – peas, potatoes, paneer, you know the drill. but something clicked. “People say that you reach a spiritual place, and that is what happened with me initially,” she said. “My first step toward being vegan was selfish as i thought this kind of living would be better for my health.”Right away, she noticed meals sitting lighter, no more heavy post-lunch slumps. energy evened out, digestion smoothed – classic perks from cutting saturated fats and cholesterol that tax the heart and arteries. plants brought fiber to feed her gut bugs, stabilizing blood sugar swings that leave you foggy. she felt more disciplined too, like her body rewarded the swap with steady vitality.
Lockdown experiment seals the deal
Her husband Riteish Deshmukh led the charge, quitting meat in 2016 because it just “doesn’t feel right anymore.” Genelia took two months to think it over, landing on January 1, 2017. dairy and eggs lingered until covid hit. “Everyone was scared,” she remembered. Riteish floated the idea: “Why don’t we try to get off all animal products altogether?” Stuck at home, they gave it a go.The difference hit fast-Riteish started feeling amazing, and even a splash of milk or butter on roti bloated them. “living life a certain way, you never realise the things you are eating every day and how they affect your body,” Genelia reflected. ditching dairy cut hormones and casein that stir mucus and tummy trouble, sharpening focus and easing puffiness. skin glowed from plant antioxidants, weight held steady on whole foods, and heart risks dipped – studies show plant-based eating slashes cardiovascular odds by 32 percent thanks to fiber scrubbing buildup and natural nitrates relaxing vessels.
Smart vegan pitfalls dodged
Genelia keeps it real: “i didn’t do everything perfectly in my year one, and i am still not, but i learn every day.” nutritionist Kinita Patel backs thoughtful planning. “fundamentally, any diet if done wrong can result in deficiency,” she points out. even meat-eaters battle b12 shortages. the fix? regular blood tests for b12, iron, omega-3s, vitamin d – then grab fortified nutritional yeast, algae oil, or lentils paired with lemon for better uptake. nuts and seeds fill fat gaps. oxford research ties vegan diets to 15 percent lower cancer risk and killer weight control through low-glycemic plants.
Real bodies, real changes
For Genelia, health kicked it off, weaving in ethics as a mom and animal lover – no harm near her kids. but the wins keep her hooked: lighter feel post-meal means a thriving gut microbiome on fiber feasts. discipline turns swaps into habits – paneer to tofu, eggs to chickpea scrambles. Indian kitchens already rock dal, sabzi, millets – just mix in variety, check labs yearly, and watch energy soar.Her story feels like a gentle nudge: start with what feels good for your body, let the rest unfold naturally. One lighter plate at a time, and suddenly you’re thriving in ways you didn’t expect.
