Divya Khosla Kumar, 37, recently opened up about her dietary choices in a podcast with stand-up comedian Bharti Singh and her screenwriter husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa. "I am a vegetarian; vegan, to be precise. Vegan hun main. Sirf ghar ka khaana khaati hun. Kahi bhi jao, ghar ka khaana hi lekar jaati hun. I carry it with me. I avoid outside food mostly. Of course, I don't eat sweets. Fried is also minimal; kabhi- kabhi.kam (very rarely and less)," the Yaariyan actor said. Taking a cue from her confession, let's understand how such diet tweaks help build overall health. A vegan diet based on home-cooked food can be extremely beneficial for overall health — it is typically rich in fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, while being low in saturated fat. "This combination supports better gut health, stable blood sugar levels, and reduced risk of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease," said consultant dietitian Garima Goyal. While a vegan diet paired with home-cooked meals offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to ensure nutritional adequacy, said Goyal. Goyal mentioned that certain nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and high-quality protein can be harder to obtain from a purely plant-based diet. For instance, vitamin B12 is found only in animal-based foods, so supplementation or fortified products are essential. "Similarly, pairing iron-rich foods like lentils or spinach with vitamin C–rich foods improves absorption, while calcium can be obtained from fortified plant milks, sesame, or ragi," shared Goyal. Planning meals with a variety of legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fortified foods or supplements, where necessary, can help bridge these gaps. "Including a mix of legumes, pulses, soy products, nuts, seeds, and whole grains ensures adequate protein. This ensures that the diet is not only wholesome but also sustainable in the long term," said Goyal. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
