As we mark World Vegan Day on November 1, three Dubai-based residents talk to Gulf News tabloid! about making the switch to veganism and why they are loving every bite.
Lara Gordon-Finnih, 29, marketing professional, Vegan for seven months
Why veganism: I’ve tried paleo and various other diets, which is when I started reading up about veganism. I also came across various films such as What The Health and Forks Over Knives that really opened my eyes about following a plant-based diet. Plus, I am lactose intolerant and allergic to eggs.
Body changes: I definitely have more energy. The body processes a plant-based diet much faster.
What’s cooking at home: I have always enjoyed cooking, so the experience is not all that difficult when I am whipping something up. It gets difficult when I go out for dinner. For example, Indian food is sometimes loaded in ghee so you have to be a little creative.
What’s the daily meal plan: For breakfast, I usually have oats soaked overnight or avocado on toast. Lunch could be a lentil soup, a carrot and black bean soup or crispy duck wrap but instead of duck I use jackfruit. Dinner is a lentil bolognese or cauliflower masala.
Where to shop: Choithrams and Carrefour have a great vegan selection. I can make 34 meals over seven dishes and that just costs me Dh244. It really isn’t that expensive either. The idea is to plan ahead and freeze things.
What do you miss: I went back home in May and British meals are heavy on the meat and gravy. My grandma’s Shepherd’s pie or a roast dinner. But I have transitioned well and now when I look at a plate of meat, I think ‘rotting dead carcass’.
Most annoying thing you’ve heard since turning vegan: People arguing with me about my lifestyle choice. ‘Where do you get your protein’ is usually the big one.
The best place to eat vegan: Friend’s Avenue in Motor City for its satay salad without the chicken or Life ‘N One café.
A vegan product you can’t do without: Almond milk.
Heetal Bhatia, 29, trade marketing manager, Vegan for eight months
Why veganism: I’ve been vegetarian all my life. But the past four years, I have been reading up on animals and their impact on the environment. Being an animal lover and a rescuer, I realised that just being vegetarian doesn’t suffice.
Body changes: There’s been a subtle change. I have more strength, my skin is healthier. My hair looks better.
What’s cooking at home: Breakfast usually comprises cereal or oats, paired with some plant-based milk — be it almond, soya or rice milk. Over the weekends I do get creative and could make myself a tofu scramble. Lunch is usually an Indian chappati (flat bread) with vegetables or a pesto salad. Dinner could be much of the same.
Challenges when eating out: It can get difficult; although, veganism is catching up in the UAE. I now usually tell the server I am allergic to dairy. That scares them into ensuring my order is dairy-free.
Most annoying thing you’ve heard: Where do I start? I’ve actually stopped being annoyed now. I just laugh at people’s ignorance.
Favourite vegan haunt: Life ‘N One cafe. The food is excellent and you can go there with pets as well. Plus, the Organic Foods & Cafe do a great brunch as well for Dh99.
Vegan product you can’t do without: Soya milk. And yes, avocados.
Harsha Pandav, 28, photographer, Vegan for 1.5 years
Why veganism: Eating meat earlier satiated my curiosity. But a trip to Mumbai’s Dharavi district, which is where India’s biggest leather industry resides, turned into such a disheartening experience that I stopped eating meat and buying leather nearly 10 years ago.
Body changes: My skin has improved; I feel more energetic, lighter. Both my parents have Type 2 diabetes and I am genetically at high risk. But a recent check-up revealed that I am not even close to developing it. It is all because of my diet.
What’s cooking at home: For breakfast I will usually make a quinoa bowl or a sushi roll or a tofu scramble. I will also add nutritional yeast to at least one meal. It is amazing, and adds the flavour of cheese to your meal. Lunch and dinner are usually a pasta or a risotto or even a mac and cheese with nutritional yeast.
Most annoying thing you’ve heard on being vegan: All those jokes. It’s just too much now. It’s stopped being funny and border on the cruel. People get passionate about eating meat, but what they don’t realise is that a large part of their food choices is due to social conditioning.
What do you miss the most: I am not militant. I love cheese. So maybe once a year I will allow myself a pizza. People may think otherwise, but every drop makes an ocean and every single one of us can make a difference.
Your favourite vegan haunt: Freedom Pizza has a great vegan pizza. And Pizza Express allows you to bring you own vegan cheese as long as it is a sealed pack.
A vegan product you can’t do without: Nutritional yeast.
