A nutritionist , fitness trainer, budding chef are few ways to describe this polymath. Annavi Khot, in this interview, describes her journey in choosing a vegan lifestyle, the obstacles she faced along the way and how she is here to bust common myths about veganism.
Can you give me a little insight on how your life was before becoming a vegan?
I had done hospitality for four years because I love cooking and baking and right after hospitality is when I joined the fitness career but even before that I used to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I did a couple of courses, and I got a job working in a gym but in Indian households, it is unheard of for a girl working in a gym. I had to lie to my parents about where I was working and I saved up all the money I had earned to invest in my education. So every course that I did, or any international certification course that I have, is quite expensive but with knowledge and passion, that’s how one grows in this industry.
Can you describe your transition into becoming a vegan?
I was not always a vegan. Around eight years ago, this whole concept was alien to me. I used to eat chicken and eggs though I was never fond of meat as such as a person. In fact, I wasn’t a dairy person as well before I was vegan. I used to go crazy on cheese but otherwise milk, curd or other subsidiaries were never part of my plan. But around that time is when one of my closest friends introduced me to this concept. Reading articles on how animal cruelty and abuse made a huge impact on me and I have always been an animal lover and before I turned vegan, I did consume all kinds of meat but one day I saw read these articles based on animal cruelty and abuse and it left me devastated. I felt like a hypocrite and overnight, I chose to become a vegan. It was a very ethical transition. It didn’t take me time, it didn’t take away anything and in fact I always felt I only gained a lot more. For me, the transition was a simple and heartfelt transition. Nowadays, I don’t particularly have any cravings and I don’t feel like I’m depriving my body of anything. I eat everything except obviously in a vegan version.
What were the obstacles you faced during the transition?
When you say obstacles, I can point out two things, 1) Society, my family and friends, I understand that it is very important whom you surround yourself with and 2) Education surrounding the subject. I never once questioned myself for the path I was embarking on. It was more to do with the people around me because of their limited knowledge of this concept. Though it was coming from a place of concern, they literally started questioning everything about it. They start saying things like, “you’re not gonna stay healthy or how being a female, it’s going to affect you in the future.” So it was more of society’s built up blocks that I had to tear down. In fact, when I started transitioning, I had very little knowledge about veganism but it was just more of the intuition I had that this was right away ahead. When I did a course in nutrition and became a nutritionist, I was able to educate people about the science behind veganism and stand up to people who were saying this wasn’t going to work. But now, they’re curious and ask me various questions like what are any sources of protein and how I work out in the gym. There’s a vast difference in how the same people at first were shooting down the idea of being a vegan to accepting it gradually.
Besides being a nutritionist, you also run an instagram page where you post healthy and fun vegan recipes for people to turn out. Can you take me through some of your vegan dishes that you think everyone should try?
Everyone should try this vegan burger made of mock meat. There are so many restaurants in town that have included vegan dishes in their menu which says a lot about how society has become more and more friendly towards this lifestyle. Do try vegan desserts, any dishes with soya chaap and I can assure you that you won’t miss meat at all. People have a perception that vegan dishes don’t taste good and this stops them from trying out. So I suggest you explore, you’ll really be left surprised.
Do you think vegan foods give out the same nutrition, carbs and vitamins as compared to vegetarian and non vegetarian foods? If not, what are your substitutes?
Most of the macro and micro are covered by vegan food but vitamins like B12 is something you are deprived of when you consume vegan food. Hence, I have to resort to taking a supplement. But other than that, protein, carbohydrates, fats are all taken care of. So I don’t need any other substitute. I would advise people who are still transitioning into this lifestyle, do it for yourself and not for anyone else. Always consult a nutritionist before you change your food habits because sometimes people don’t know how to fill their plate up with good food and they tend to exclude the fats, minerals and vitamins which leads them to having a falling out.
Do you think veganism is growing in and around you, and would you advise people to turn vegan?
Yes, Veganism has definitely been growing around me since about seven years ago. From people not knowing what it is and considering it very alien to them to now you see people taking an active interest and effort in considering and hearing about your lifestyle. It’s not a trend. Basically you need to find out the reason why you’re going vegan. There are a lot of health and environmental benefits. Yes, it has definitely changed since the time I started. I would definitely advise people to try it out but then not without a consultation from a nutritionist.
Veganism in India is accompanied by myths like nutrient deficiency, lack of diversity, and high cost. Do you agree with this statement?
Vegan meals don’t have to be exactly out of your budget. If you are practicing veganism, you don’t have to be only consuming avocados and soy milk which people tend to confuse with as staple vegan food sources and they tend to be rather expensive. Home-cooked Indian meals are perfect examples of vegan food. For eg, Dal, Rice and Roti etc are dairy free meals that any vegan can easily consume. I’m someone who enjoys a good bowl of rice and masoor dal with palak curry, that’s carbohydrates, iron and plant-based proteins all packed in one meal. You don’t have to exactly be rich to be vegan. The entire cost of this one meal is equal to 2 avocados in today’s market. So it entirely depends on the kind of diet you follow rather than labeling a lifestyle as expensive.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.