Raveena Tandon speaks about when she decided to quit non-vegetarian food (Photo: Raveena Tandon/Instagram)Raveena Tandon, 52, who was once a hardcore non-vegetarian, reflected on her decision to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. “Turning vegetarian has to come from within. I have also been brought up in a home where mutton, chicken, brain pao, or bheja fry, as well as keema pao, were all absolutely normal to eat. But I think it just hits you one day. And since the past 11-12 years, I have been off any meats and stuff,” the Patna Shukla actor said on Amy Aela’s podcast in April 2025, which also featured Sudhir Kudalkar, founder of the PAL Welfare Foundation.Revealing how she took the vow, Raveena said, “This happened to me when we had gone to a temple, and there I actually saw two lambs being sacrificed. And their screams…of little lambs…I just couldn’t hold back my tears…In that very temple, I took a vow…from today onward, I will never eat it again.”Taking a cue from the Padma Shri recipient and Goodwill Wildlife Ambassador for Maharashtra, let’s explore how transitioning from a non-vegetarian to a vegetarian setup requires a mindset shift.Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, energy healer, and life coach, said it reflected a moment that many people experience—but rarely act on.Her words, “It just hits you one day,” carry profound psychological truth, Delnna said. “Raveena’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, you don’t need a lecture or a campaign to change. All it takes is a moment of unbearable empathy—a moment so honest, you can’t un-feel it. Transformation doesn’t always happen through logic. It occurs when an emotional experience resonates so deeply that it shifts your identity, values, and inner compass. What Raveena experienced is known as a ‘liminal moment’—an internal doorway between the life you’ve known and the life you now feel called to live,” shared Delnna.Why this inner shift mattersMaking a decision like this—especially when you’ve grown up around kebabs, keema pav, and bheja fry—is not about rules or trendiness. “It’s about alignment. About choosing to live in a way that matches your inner sense of empathy, peace, and awareness,” Delnna continued, adding that when this alignment is soul-led, it is not difficult, “it is freeing”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Aela (@kindnesswithamy) What helps when you feel that nudge to switch?Don’t force it. Let it emergeStory continues below this adVegetarianism that stems from guilt rarely lasts. The shift is most potent when it is rooted in compassion—not coercion. Let your awareness guide your plate, said Delnna.Take one step at a timeYou don’t need to cut everything overnight. “Start with one day a week. Or one meal a day. Let your body and emotions adjust gently,” said Delnna.Let your mindset catch up with your plateThis isn’t just about food. It’s about values, identity, and belonging. According to Delnna, using affirmations like, “I choose compassion over craving” or “Every meal is an offering of peace”, can help. Here’s what to consider (Photo: Freepik)Create a circle of supportStory continues below this adConnect with people who understand your shift. “Isolation can trigger doubt or guilt. Community nurtures change,” said Delnna.Also Read | Ram Kapoor says he only eats two meals a day as he sits with Farah Khan for coffee: ‘Yeh cup thodi hai…baalti hai’; dietician decodes the dietLearn nutritional wisdomA good vegetarian diet isn’t just about cutting meat—it’s about consciously choosing balance, nourishment, and variety. Consult a nutritionist if needed.Reflect on what moved youKeep a journal. Whether it was a story, a spiritual experience, or a moral conviction—record it. “These reflections are anchors for moments when cravings or questions arise,” said Delnna. For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd