Veggie Blog

The old version of this post said that most vegetarians in the world are Hindu, and that 25 percent of Hindus are vegetarian. Both claims need a closer look, because a large 2021 survey gives more precise numbers.

How many Hindus are vegetarian?

The Pew Research Center surveyed nearly 30,000 adults in India in 2019 and 2020 and found that 44 percent of Hindus described themselves as vegetarian, not 25 percent. Across all Indians, 39 percent said they were vegetarian, and 81 percent followed some restriction on meat. The survey left the definition of vegetarian to the person answering.

Are Hindus the most vegetarian group?

Not in percentage terms. Among Jains, 92 percent said they were vegetarian, compared with 8 percent of Muslims and 10 percent of Christians. Hindus fall in between. Because India is such a large country, the number of people who follow a vegetarian diet is still very large.

Why do many Hindus avoid meat?

Pew notes that Hindu texts often praise vegetarianism, and that Hindus may avoid beef because cows are traditionally viewed as sacred. The old post gave a simpler reason, living without hurting other beings, which Pew’s survey does not measure. Another 39 percent of Hindus follow some other restriction on meat, and many fast on certain days.

What can others learn from this?

There is no single Hindu diet, and the old line that Hindus are the most peaceful nation on earth because they are vegetarian was an exaggeration that I have removed. What is useful is how rich the plant-based traditions are, from lentil dals to vegetable curries. For a start in your own kitchen, see the main types of vegetarian diet and our guide to high-protein vegetarian meals.

The old version of this post told readers that a veggie diet could give them 13 more years on earth, quoting Michael Roizen’s book The RealAge Diet. It is an exciting claim, but I could not trace that number to a published study, so here is what the research does show.

Does a veggie diet really add 13 years?

I found no study that supports a gain of 13 years. The best-known evidence shows a much smaller difference, and it comes from observational research, which shows an association and cannot prove cause and effect. People who choose a vegetarian diet often differ from others in other ways too, such as smoking and exercise.

What does the best evidence show?

The Adventist Health Study 2 followed 73,308 Seventh-day Adventists in the United States and Canada for an average of about 5.8 years. In the 2013 analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine, vegetarians as a group had a 12 percent lower adjusted risk of dying from any cause than non-vegetarians. By type, the figures were 19 percent lower for pesco-vegetarians (who eat fish) and 9 percent lower for lacto-ovo vegetarians. For vegans the estimate was 15 percent lower, but the range of uncertainty was wide enough that it was not statistically significant. The associations were larger in men than in women. That is a real and interesting difference, but it is far from 13 years.

Is it only about meat?

The old post said that the more meat you eat, the worse your immune system gets, and that this is why most old people die of sickness. I could not find support for that, and I have dropped it. What studies point to is the overall pattern of eating: plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans and whole grains, and less processed food. Meat is not the only variable. Our post on diet and disease covers what the World Health Organization says about processed meat.

What should you do if you want to try it?

Plan your meals so that you get enough vitamin B12, iron, calcium and protein. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said in its 2016 position paper that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including vegan diets, are healthful and nutritionally adequate and may help prevent certain diseases. Our post on vitamin deficiency and who is at risk covers the practical side. If you have a medical condition or take medication, talk to your doctor first.

An updated look at the names behind PETA’s vegetarian and vegan celebrity honours, including five verified years of PETA India winners.

Long before plant-based meals became commonplace on restaurant menus, a lighthearted celebrity contest helped put vegetarian eating into the headlines. In June 2007, Veggie-Blog shared news of PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarian Alive” vote, with photos of Jared Leto, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire. That invitation to vote belongs to a different era: the original ballot should not be presented as an active contest today.

There is, however, a more interesting story to tell. PETA and its international affiliates have continued recognising famous people for their choices around animals and food, sometimes under different award names. The key is to distinguish PETA’s original US awards from PETA India’s more recent Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity honours.

Below are five consecutive years of winners that can be checked against PETA India’s own announcements, followed by the background of the American contest, timing guidance and answers to common questions. The winners are listed as award recipients in the stated years; an award is not proof of anyone’s current diet.

Five recent years of PETA India vegetarian celebrity winners

PETA India has used the name Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrities for the honours discussed here. The dates below are announcement months, not guaranteed annual event dates. They are historical records rather than predictions of the next ceremony or contest.

2025: Sreeleela and Ravichandran Ashwin

PETA India chose actor Sreeleela and cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin for its 2025 title. The organisation drew attention to Sreeleela’s public conversations about meat-free eating and her care for animals. It described Ashwin as vegetarian since birth and highlighted his concern for dogs and other animals. Their recognition shows how this award extends beyond the film industry to well-known sports figures.

2024: Jacqueline Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh

The 2024 award went to actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh. PETA India pointed to Fernandez’s animal-welfare campaigning and noted that Deshmukh is vegan and has supported plant-based food entrepreneurship. This is a useful reminder that vegetarian is the name of the award category; an individual recipient may be vegan.

2023: Zeenat Aman and Jackie Shroff

For 2023, PETA India recognised Zeenat Aman and Jackie Shroff. Its announcement discussed their interest in animal welfare, community animals and meat-free eating. Rather than focusing only on appearances, the organisation linked the award to public examples of compassion.

2022: John Abraham and Fatima Sana Shaikh

The 2022 recipients were John Abraham and Fatima Sana Shaikh. PETA India’s announcement referred to Abraham’s campaigning on animal-related issues and Shaikh’s support for animals in need. Both are discussed here because they received the title in 2022, not because their private eating habits have been independently checked today.

2021: Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar received PETA India’s 2021 honours. The announcement highlighted Pednekar’s move away from meat and her environmental advocacy; it also connected Kumar with plant-based eating. This year provides the starting point for our five-year historical record.

How the original “Sexiest Vegetarian” contest began

PETA’s US campaign used a more playful title. PETA says it first named Shania Twain its Sexiest Vegetarian in 2001. In the mid-2000s, the organisation held public-facing celebrity polls that appeared in entertainment news and vegetarian blogs. The original Veggie-Blog post was written during the 2007 voting period, which explains why it invited readers to support their favourite celebrity.

The winners of the 2007 US edition were singer Carrie Underwood and musician Kevin Eubanks. Their result is a historical fact, not a nomination or a vote that readers can take part in today. Over time, PETA’s American celebrity recognition also appeared under titles such as Sexiest Vegan Celebrities and Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities.

This naming history matters. An online search for “PETA sexiest vegetarian” may return older polls, PETA India honours or stories about vegan awards. They are connected through an organisation and theme, but they are not one continuous global leaderboard with identical rules and dates.

What happened to PETA’s vegan celebrity award in the US?

PETA US published a 20-person Most Beautiful Vegan recognition for 2021, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its original celebrity honour. In 2022, it recognised musician Lenny Kravitz and singer Anitta. In 2023, the recipients were actors and performers Bella Ramsey and Halle Bailey.

These are examples of PETA US honours, not an assertion that the US programme has operated on the same schedule in every subsequent year. As of this article’s October 2026 editorial review, no later US edition of this specific series was confirmed for inclusion, so we have not invented 2024, 2025 or 2026 US winners. PETA India’s awards in the table above are a separate regional programme.

For readers who enjoy learning about plant-based public figures more broadly, our Vegan Celebrities Around the World article covers a different question: celebrity advocacy rather than this particular award history.

When does PETA announce the awards?

If you want to know when to watch for another winner announcement, the honest answer is: the timing depends on the PETA organisation and the particular award.

For the five PETA India editions verified above, four announcements came in December and one in October. This makes autumn through the end of the year a sensible period to look for fresh PETA India news, but October or December is not a fixed future deadline.

Historically, PETA US made some celebrity announcements around June or July: the classic 2007 contest concluded in June, while the US Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities announcements covered here appeared in July 2022 and June 2023. That pattern is useful background, not a promise that another contest will launch in summer.

Before writing that voting is open, look for an actual, dated announcement from the relevant PETA organisation. Older online forms, news articles and search snippets are not proof that submissions or voting are currently active.

Can ordinary people enter, or is it only for celebrities?

Celebrity awards typically recognise public figures; they are different from PETA’s older Sexiest Vegan Next Door and Sexiest Vegan Over 50 competitions, which have had their own rules and eligibility requirements. Those programmes should not be advertised as open unless the organisers have published a current call for entries.

Even if a previous competition offered public voting, that does not mean every modern award is decided by an online poll. PETA India has sometimes invited people to help choose celebrities, but the voting process and conditions should be checked anew each year.

Vegetarian and vegan: why the distinction matters

A vegetarian generally avoids meat and fish but may consume eggs or dairy. A vegan avoids animal-derived foods, including eggs and dairy, and veganism can also extend to other animal products in daily life. PETA’s changing award titles reflect these related but distinct ideas.

A public figure’s diet may also change over time. The safe wording is “received PETA India’s vegetarian celebrity award in 2024”, not “is definitely vegan today”, unless there is separate current evidence. This approach respects the facts, the people involved and readers who care about accurate labels.

Five ways to follow the awards without outdated information

1. Check the organisation. Is the announcement from PETA US, PETA India or another regional PETA group? Don’t combine them into one competition.
2. Check the year. A past winner remains a past winner, but a headline describing them as “this year’s winner” goes out of date.
3. Check the award name. “Sexiest Vegetarian” and “Most Beautiful Vegan” have both been used, but may indicate different periods or programmes.
4. Check the selection process. Voting, editorial selection and contests involving ordinary entrants are not interchangeable.
5. Avoid reused celebrity pictures. A press image or old Blogger thumbnail may be copyrighted. Use properly licensed images or an original illustration instead.

The featured image for this post is a computer-generated, plant-themed awards illustration. It is not a PETA trophy, a photo of an actual awards ceremony or a celebrity portrait.

Questions readers ask

Who won PETA India’s Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity award in 2025?

PETA India named Sreeleela and Ravichandran Ashwin. The announcement was published in December 2025. They are the latest confirmed PETA India winners in this article’s five-year record.

Is PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian contest still running?

The historical US “Sexiest Vegetarian Alive” poll from 2007 should not be treated as a currently open contest. PETA-related celebrity honours have continued under other names and in different regions, but the relevant organisation must confirm any current nomination or voting period.

Can I vote for PETA’s next winner?

Only if the organisation has an active voting page for that particular award. A ballot from 2007 or a previously published nominees page is not valid evidence of current voting.

Are the winners all vegan?

Not necessarily. Vegetarian and vegan are different descriptions, and an award title does not establish an individual’s complete or current diet. Some award recipients have publicly identified as vegan; others have been recognised under the vegetarian heading.

Final thoughts: a better way to celebrate vegetarian celebrities

The original “Sexiest Vegetarian” polls were designed to catch attention. Today, the stronger story is how entertainers, athletes and other well-known people can draw an audience to animal welfare, plant-based foods and everyday choices. A list with verified names, years and regions is more useful than an expired ballot or an unsupported claim about a celebrity’s current diet.

Which vegetarian or vegan celebrity inspires you? Share your choice in the comments, along with a link to a reliable interview or public statement. Please keep the conversation respectful and avoid sharing unverified claims about anyone’s private life.

“The View” is one of those shows where you watch it because you like one (or more) of the hosts or in this case hostesses. I watched when Meredith Viera was on and when Rosie O’Donnell took over last September, i was fine with the move, even looked forward to it, as Rosie always has something to say about anything even remotely controversial. (for starters bush, Iraq, fat people, gays, etc) I don’t have a problem with Rosie, i do have a problem with her co-host Elizabeth Hassellbeck as she comes across as holier than Marcia Brady. Her sanctimonious and self-righteous baloney really gets on my nerves at times, and this week it went too far with her not defending her Hollywood galpal, Rosie. She could and should have defended Rosie earlier this week when the media as usual snarped at Rosie for, yet again, “being anti-American”. If it weren’t for “The View”, no one would even know of Elizabeth Hassellbeck, and instead of being grateful and humble for this lucky twist in her career, she has turned into quite a belladonna. As of today it was reported that Rosie has officially resigned as co-host, and will not be returning to The View, caught in the middle of this nasty cat fight, was Alicia Silverstone (of clueless fame) who is a strict and vocal vegan, who apparently snubbed Hassellbeck on Wednesdays show, probably because she is anti-stupid people and did not appreciate the way Elizabeth carried on against Rosie.

The featured image above is an AI-generated illustration, not a photo of dishes from the blogs below.

Looking for vegetarian food blogs that help you make dinner instead of just adding more recipes to your bookmarks? A few thoughtfully chosen sites can give you reliable cooking inspiration, from simple vegetable-forward meals to completely vegan comfort food and internationally inspired dishes.

Veggie-Blog first shared a vegetarian and vegan food blog showcase back in 2007. This refreshed guide keeps the same idea but makes it more useful: five recipe blogs, a clear explanation of what each one offers, and practical ways to turn inspiration into meals you will actually cook. These are editorial recommendations, not a paid ranking.

What makes a vegetarian or vegan food blog worth following?

A good recipe site does more than showcase beautiful food. Look for recipes with clear ingredient quantities, realistic steps, helpful substitutions, and an honest indication of whether a dish is vegetarian or fully vegan. Recipe notes and comments can help you spot common problems before you start cooking.

It also helps to choose blogs with different strengths. A general vegetarian blog may be ideal for everyday lunches, while a dedicated vegan blog can teach you how to make dairy-free sauces, egg-free baking, or tofu dishes. If you enjoy cooking with spices, a cuisine-focused site may help you build confidence with new ingredients.

Five vegetarian and vegan food blogs to explore

1. Cookie and Kate — approachable vegetarian everyday cooking

Best for: people who want vegetable-focused meals, salads, soups, and practical weeknight dinners.

Cookie and Kate, written by Kathryne Taylor, focuses on fresh vegetarian recipes and makes vegetables, beans, grains, and seasonal produce feel approachable. It is an easy starting point when you have ingredients in your fridge but need an idea for turning them into a complete meal. Its recipe categories make it useful for breakfast, lunch, and dinner planning.

Try this approach: choose one grain-based bowl, one soup, and one vegetable side to cook during the week. Check individual recipes if you need them to be vegan, since a vegetarian recipe can contain cheese, eggs, or other dairy products.

Explore Cookie and Kate’s vegetarian recipes

2. Love and Lemons — seasonal vegetables and fresh flavors

Best for: home cooks who shop by season or want appealing ways to use a specific vegetable.

Love and Lemons celebrates fresh produce and offers both vegetarian and vegan recipes. Its ingredient-focused approach is especially helpful when you have a bunch of carrots, broccoli, squash, or tomatoes and need ideas beyond the same familiar side dish. You can use its recipe filters to narrow your search to vegan meals. The site is vegetarian-focused, but a few older recipes in its archive include fish or seafood, so check the ingredients if that matters to you.

Try this approach: start with one ingredient that is in season where you live, then pick a main dish and a simple sauce or dressing that uses it. That creates variety without buying ingredients for five unrelated meals.

Browse Love and Lemons

3. Vegan Richa — Indian-inspired vegan meals and more

Best for: anyone interested in flavorful vegan curries, dals, chickpeas, lentils, and weeknight meals.

Vegan Richa features fully plant-based recipes, many of them inspired by Richa’s Indian upbringing, with plenty of gluten-free, soy-free and oil-free options. You will also find ideas from other cuisines, plus recipe collections sorted by course and dietary needs. It is particularly useful if you have pantry staples such as lentils, canned chickpeas, rice, or spices but are tired of preparing them the same way.

Try this approach: build a dinner around one bean or lentil dish, add rice or flatbread, and serve a vegetable side. If you are unfamiliar with a spice, read the recipe notes before substituting it; changing several seasonings at once can change the result dramatically.

Find vegan recipes at Vegan Richa

4. Rainbow Plant Life — bold flavors and vegan cooking techniques

Best for: vegans and curious beginners who want to develop their cooking skills as well as find new recipes.

Rainbow Plant Life, by recipe developer Nisha Vora, focuses on vegan dishes with big flavor and attention to cooking methods. It is a helpful option when you want to learn why browning, simmering, seasoning, or balancing acidic and rich flavors makes a difference. You will find substantial main courses, tofu dishes, plant-based sauces, and vegetable sides.

Try this approach: select one recipe that teaches a technique you can reuse, such as building a flavorful sauce or cooking beans until they are richly seasoned. Keep notes about what worked so you can apply that method to your own vegetarian or vegan meals.

Discover Rainbow Plant Life

5. The Korean Vegan — Korean-inspired food and plant-based storytelling

Best for: home cooks who want Korean-inspired plant-based meals and personal stories connected to food.

The Korean Vegan, created by Joanne Molinaro, shares vegan recipes alongside writing about family and culture. Its recipes include plant-based versions of Korean dishes as well as breads, desserts, and other comfort foods. If your idea of vegan cooking feels limited to salads, this is a reminder that vegetables, tofu, grains, and fermented ingredients can build deeply satisfying meals.

Try this approach: choose one Korean-inspired dish and pay attention to sauces and seasonings. Check ingredient labels carefully: traditional versions of ingredients such as kimchi and some sauces may contain seafood, even when the finished dish looks vegetable-based.

Explore recipes from The Korean Vegan

Vegetarian versus vegan recipes: how to tell the difference

Vegetarian meals exclude meat and fish, but many contain dairy products or eggs. Vegan meals exclude animal-derived ingredients, including dairy, eggs, and honey. When browsing a vegetarian blog, do not assume every recipe is vegan. Use the site’s vegan filter where available, then read the ingredient list.

Look out for cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, gelatin, honey, fish sauce, and stock made from meat. If a substitution is important to your diet or allergies, check both the recipe and the product packaging. A recipe labeled plant-based may also need checking, since that phrase is used in different ways.

How to use food blogs without getting overwhelmed

Instead of collecting dozens of links, try a simple weekly routine. Pick one familiar meal, one new recipe, and one flexible pantry dish. That keeps shopping manageable while still introducing variety.

1. Choose your goal. Do you need a quick vegetarian dinner, a vegan meal-prep recipe, or an unfamiliar cuisine to explore?
2. Search by ingredient. Start with lentils, chickpeas, spinach, mushrooms, or another ingredient you already own.
3. Read the full recipe before shopping. Check cooking time, equipment, soaking requirements, serving size, and substitutions.
4. Make a short shopping list. Buy shared ingredients for several meals rather than unusual extras for one dish.
5. Save what worked. Record your adaptations and which recipes you would happily make again.

Three easy plant-based dinner ideas to try this week

You do not need to visit five sites to get dinner on the table tonight. These flexible ideas use common ingredients and can be adjusted to your taste:

• Chickpea and vegetable skillet: sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic; add canned chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, and a splash of water. Simmer until hot, then serve with rice or toast.
• Ginger-garlic tofu bowls: cook tofu until golden, add a simple mixture of soy sauce or tamari, ginger, garlic, and a little water, and serve over rice with steamed greens.
• Tomato and white bean soup: soften onion in olive oil, stir in tomatoes, white beans, and vegetable broth, and simmer until the flavors combine. Finish with black pepper and fresh herbs.

These are quick meal ideas rather than full tested recipes, so adjust cooking time and seasoning to the ingredients and amounts you choose. For more cooking inspiration on Veggie-Blog, see our easy veggie omelette recipes and tips for better vegetarian chili.

Questions readers ask

Are vegetarian recipes always healthy?

No single label guarantees that a meal is balanced. Vegetarian recipes can be rich in vegetables, beans, and whole grains, but they can also be high in salt or contain few vegetables. Look at the complete meal and your overall dietary needs rather than a label alone.

Can I make a vegetarian recipe vegan?

Often, yes. Dairy milk may be replaced with a suitable plant milk, butter with plant-based fat, and cheese with an appropriate alternative. Eggs can be harder to replace in dishes where they provide structure, so use recipe-tested substitutions when baking.

How can I find recipes with ingredients I already have?

Search by your main ingredient and add a term such as vegan dinner, vegetarian lunch, or one-pot. Use ingredient filters where offered, check what you can substitute, and keep a small list of recipes you repeat regularly.

Your turn: what vegetarian or vegan blogs do you read?

We would love to hear about the food blogs that have made vegetarian or vegan cooking easier for you. Share a favorite blog and the kind of recipe you discovered there in the comments. Please keep recommendations relevant and avoid promotional link drops; comments may be moderated.