INDIA, February 9, 2026 (NT by Leila Saldanha and Sheela Krishnaswamy): This academic article examines how vegetarianism in India is deeply rooted in the country’s religious and cultural traditions, with about 83% of the population belonging to religions founded in India (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism) that promote vegetarian dietary practices and about 39% of Indians self-identify as vegetarians — though this varies widely by religion and region. Religious principles such as ahimsa (nonviolence), belief in karma and reincarnation and traditions from systems like Ayurveda influence food choices. These belief systems not only shape which foods are eaten but also behaviors around meals, including fasting and food classification in daily life and ritual contexts.
The article also highlights how Indian vegetarian diets are diverse and cannot be pinned down to a single “standard” diet, incorporating cereals, pulses, dairy, vegetables, spices and fruits that reflect regional and cultural variation. Furthermore, it discusses how these traditional eating practices such as the thali eating system and fasting can be adapted into modern dietary habits and other eating patterns to support healthful and sustainable nutrition. The cultural practices around vegetarianism—shaped by centuries-old religious doctrines and social norms—continue to be relevant for both individual dietary preferences and broader discussions of healthful eating.
Read the full PDF article at source.
https://learning.lww.com/files/VegetarianismTraditionalPracticesandBeliefSystemsinIndia-1722956932050.pdf
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