World Vegetarian Day: Know the History, Significance & Reason to Celebrate

Every year, on October 1st, the whole world celebrates World Vegetarian Day. This day is dedicated to promoting a vegetarian diet, as it is the healthier and more eco-friendly option as compared to a non-vegetarian diet. World Vegetarian Day is not celebrated on a single day but the entire month.

Recently, in September 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a Food Systems Summit as part of the ‘Decade of Action’ to achieve the SDGs by 2030. This summit has launched new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems. It appeals to a transformation of food systems to reduce the cost of nutritious foods and increase the affordability of healthy diets.

Moreover, this day is also crucial for animal rights activists as they promote vegetarianism to try to safeguard animal lives. The main purpose of World Vegetarian Day is to "promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism". 

World Vegetarian Day History: 

• World Vegetarian Day was founded all the way back in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). Just a year after, this day became an international event after it was endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. 

• Moreover, October 1 also kick starts the 'Month of Vegetarian Food', an event started by the International Vegetarian Union. As per the union, every October should be a month for vegetarian food to promote the health & humanitarian benefits of eating only plant-based products. 

World Vegetarian Day Significance:

• The Vegetarian awareness month ends in November, which is considered to be the Vegan awareness month. On this day, many institutes & restaurants switch to a fully vegetarian menu. Several people across the world promote vegetarianism via social media and virtual events. 

• Many supporters of vegetarianism utilized this month to spread awareness about the benefits of plant-based food over meat-based products and vegetarian food are considered much humanitarian.

• Consuming a vegetarian diet keeps your heart healthy and you’ll be at a lower risk of diabetes. Moreover, many studies have proved that people who consume animal-based products and fats are likely to have a shorter lifespan and by cutting out meat in your diet, you can automatically eliminate the chances of infection, salmonella, bird flu, poultry, and fish borne diseases.

Why is World Vegetarian Day Celebrated?

• Vegetarian people are considered much healthier & closer to their surroundings, as compared to their non-vegan counterparts. This is due to their dependency on food is mainly derived from plants.   Vegetarians don’t consume animal-based foods hence increasing the sustainability quotient for living things and their surrounding environment. 

Plant-based foods release less harmful substances into the body as compared to animal-based foods. Our eating habits indicate our lifestyle and thereby define our health. Vegetarian foods just might be the most important thing that can help to keep this planet protected and safe for years to come. 

If you love yourself and the planet then go for a Vegetarian diet!!!!