Why Simpoo said Chak de Phatte to vegetarianism

The cute little sardar who orders around his errant students on Channel V has quit his cravings for Butter Chicken to turn veggie. FYI tells you if Simpoo made the right choice

If Simpoo can do it, so can you, and according to nutritionist and dietician Deepshikha Agarwal going vegetarian could be the smartest choice you would make in your life. "Researchers have found out that vegetarians usually live 10 to 15 years longer than non-vegetarians, and they also have lower risk of suffering from heart disease, cholesterol problems and acidity. Non-vegetarians are also prone to diseases such as intestinal cancer and gout." According to Deepshikha, the only major con of being vegetarian is a decreased intake of protein.

"Instead of one portion of chicken, you can eat 3 cups of dal," she says. But the pros outnumber the cons.

Chew on this:
>>A vegetarian diet is rich in fibre and is simpler to digest.
>>Leafy green vegetables like methi and palak are good sources of iron and potassium, which are micro minerals, necessary for our body. Veggies like bottle gourd (dudhi) are essential if you want to lose weight.
>>Tomatoes and very good anti-oxidants and hence, are good for your skin.
>>Beans, Tofu and seeds are good sources of proteins.
>>Vegetables and fruits also provide natural sugars, beneficial enzymes and trace elements.
>>A vegetarian diet lowers blood cholesterol levels and decreases the risk of various disorders such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, kidney diseases, gallstones and cancer.

It's good for the planet

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals's Anuradha Sawhney argues why being vegetarian is not only good for your body, but as well as for the planet. "If more people were vegetarian, diseases like swine flu, bird flu or the mad cow disease would not be triggered. A UN report concluded that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars, trucks, ships, and planes in the world combined," she says.

The celeb veggie bandwagon
Sir Paul McCartney recently urged meat eaters to turn vegetarian for one day a week, in a bid to help save the planet. The former Beatles star and two of his daughters, fashion designer Stella and photographer Mary, are championing the Meat Free Monday initiative, which is aiming to get everyone in the UK to drop meat from their diet for one day per week. Red Hot Chili Pepper's Anthony Kiedis recently went vegan after learning about the worldwide depletion of fish in the oceans. Billboard chart-topper singer Leona Lewis, who is also a vegetarian said, "I am vegetarian so I don't have clothes, shoes or bags made from leather or suede or any animal
products."u00a0

Closer home, Kareena Kapoor claimed she lost oodles of weight ever since she turned vegetarian. "I have a healthy breakfast and have portions of food non-stop throughout the day. It is a healthy meal of varied vegetables and fruits," she has been quoted as saying. But her contemporary Asin, who shot to fame with Ghajini, turned down PETA's offer to be their brand ambassador, as she loves her non-vegetarian fare. The actress clarified how she just can't stay for a single day without having a non-veg dish and hence it would have been unethical on her part to be a part of an institution which campaigns against non-vegetarian food.

Channel [V]'s Simpoo had declared his support and love for animals across the world, and renounced all things non-vegetarian for PETA. Simpoo also charted his mouth-watering diet plan: He starts his day with Aloo de Paranthe and Mango Aachar and dines on Aloo Gobhi and Sarson da Saag. All this while his wife and students express surprise at Simpoo's saying 'na' to chicken tikka.