The Famous Vegetarian Phase
Kareena Kapoor Khan's journey with food has long been a topic of public fascination, with her vegetarian phase being a significant chapter. This shift happened during her relationship with actor Shahid Kapoor, who is a vegetarian. Under his influence, she adopted a strict vegetarian diet for a period. This dietary change became particularly prominent when she worked with nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar to achieve her famously lean 'size zero' figure for the movie Tashan. The actress herself has spoken about how this period of embracing a purely vegetarian lifestyle was transformative for her body and complexion, a shift she felt "inside out". Her diet at the time consisted of simple, home-cooked Indian meals, a philosophy she still holds dear.
Shifting Habits After Marriage
Following her marriage to actor Saif Ali Khan, Kareena's diet evolved once again. She has since publicly revealed that she stopped being a strict vegetarian and started consuming non-vegetarian food, particularly fish. Her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore, even confirmed this, mentioning that she cooks Bengali-style fish curry for Kareena. Her eating habits were also influenced by her pregnancies, during which she confessed to craving meat, describing the experience as transforming into "another person". This shift demonstrates that her relationship with food is flexible and not bound by rigid dietary labels, choosing what her body needs over a fixed set of rules.
Kareena's Current Balanced Approach
Today, Kareena follows a balanced, holistic diet planned by Rujuta Diwekar that emphasizes local, seasonal, and traditional foods. Rather than being vegan or vegetarian, her diet is best described as mindful and predominantly plant-based, with occasional inclusion of non-vegetarian food. She loves her simple, home-cooked meals and prefers them over elaborate or trendy dishes. Her staple diet, which she has reportedly followed for over 18 years, consists of a structured yet simple routine.
A Typical Day in Kareena's Diet
Here is a breakdown of what a typical day of eating looks like for Kareena, showcasing her focus on desi, traditional foods:
- Early Morning: A handful of dry fruits, such as almonds, figs, or raisins.
- Breakfast: Homemade dishes like poha or a paratha with white butter.
- Lunch: Simple dal and rice, or roti with a seasonal vegetable dish.
- Evening Snack: Often includes seasonal fruits like mangoes or a mango milkshake, or sometimes cheese toast.
- Dinner: A light and easily digestible meal like khichdi with ghee or a pulao.
Cheat Meals and Indulgences
While her core diet is grounded in tradition, Kareena is not averse to indulging in her favorite foods. She has admitted to having pizzas, burgers, and fries on her cheat days, proving that her philosophy is about balance, not deprivation. This balanced approach, combined with regular yoga, pilates, and strength training, has been key to her fitness and health over the years. It sends a powerful message that a sustainable, healthy lifestyle is about consistency and enjoyment, not extreme measures or punishing restrictions.
Her Evolving Dietary Labels: Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian
| Aspect | Past Vegetarian Phase | Current Balanced Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Diet | Strictly vegetarian | Non-vegetarian (primarily plant-based with fish/meat) |
| Influences | Relationship with Shahid Kapoor and 'size zero' goal | Marriage to Saif Ali Khan and pregnancy cravings |
| Motivations | Physical transformation, spiritual reasons | Holistic health, balance, listening to body's needs |
| Key Foods | Mainly home-cooked Indian vegetarian meals | Home-cooked Indian food, seasonal vegetables, occasional fish and meat |
| Key Outcome | "Size zero" figure, radiant skin | Healthy weight management, comfortable in her skin |
Conclusion: Flexibility Over Fixation
Ultimately, the question of whether Kareena Kapoor is vegan or vegetarian is complex. The simple answer is that she is neither. She was vegetarian for a significant period but is no longer strictly so, and she has never claimed to be vegan. Her dietary choices are a testament to her mature and evolving understanding of health and wellness, which favors a balanced, consistent, and home-cooked approach over fleeting trends or rigid labels. For those inspired by her fitness and radiance, her message is clear: listen to your body, enjoy simple, traditional food, and prioritize consistency over perfection.
For more insight into her approach to wellness, you can read about her thoughts on health and fitness in an interview with Vogue.
