Genelia D’Souza has never shied away from speaking honestly about the personal decisions that have shaped her life, and her evolving relationship with food is one of them. Unlike many celebrity diet stories
driven by trends or overnight transformations, Genelia’s journey from a meat-eating upbringing to a fully vegan lifestyle unfolded slowly, guided by health, motherhood, and a growing sense of awareness.
In a candid conversation on a January 2 podcast hosted by Soha Ali Khan on her YouTube channel, Genelia opened up about how her dietary choices changed over the years and why the shift was far more emotional and experiential than ideological in the beginning.
Why Genelia stopped eating meat in 2017
Genelia revealed that she gave up meat on January 1, 2017. At the time, however, she did not completely cut out animal products. Dairy, cheese, and eggs remained part of her meals. Reflecting on that phase, she admitted that her initial motivation was deeply personal rather than spiritual or ethical.
She explained that she grew up in a non-vegetarian household with little exposure to vegetarian cooking. For a long time, her idea of vegetarian food was limited to a handful of dishes. As she began reducing meat from her diet, she slowly discovered a broader, more nourishing vegetarian palette and noticed a tangible difference in how her body felt after meals. The meals felt lighter, digestion improved, and the shift naturally introduced more discipline into her everyday life.
How motherhood reshaped her perspective
Motherhood played a pivotal role in deepening her relationship with food and compassion. While Genelia has always loved animals, she admitted that this awareness truly intensified after having children. Becoming a mother made her think more consciously about what she was consuming and how her choices aligned with the values she wanted to live by.
She shared that eating lighter meals made her feel more balanced and mindful, not just physically but emotionally as well. This period marked a turning point where food became connected to intention, care, and responsibility rather than habit.
Turning fully vegan during the pandemic
Genelia’s transition to veganism was completed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She credited her husband, Riteish Deshmukh, for influencing the final shift. Riteish had already stopped eating meat in 2016, long before the pandemic. While the couple continued consuming eggs and dairy for years, the uncertainty and health concerns of the pandemic prompted them to reassess their lifestyle more seriously.
With more time at home, they experimented with eliminating animal products entirely. Genelia noted that even small quantities of milk or butter began to feel heavy, making them more conscious of how their bodies reacted to food. That awareness made the transition feel natural rather than forced.
A journey still in progress
What began as a health-focused decision gradually expanded into a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility and animal welfare. Genelia was honest in admitting that her journey has not been flawless. She continues to learn, adapt, and grow with time, emphasising that perfection was never the goal, awareness was.
Today, she views veganism not as a rigid rulebook but as a lifestyle that encourages intention, mindfulness, and compassion. For Genelia, the shift has been less about giving something up and more about choosing a way of living that feels aligned with who she is now.
