Young & beautiful Neha Ranpise, shares how changing to a plant based diet helped her in so many ways, including becoming a mother at 38!

I had been a hardcore non-vegetarian all my life. A short encounter with plant-based foods, while taking an Ayurvedic therapy to tackle my then newly acquired IBS, made me feel a lot better. But old ways are hard to go. I continued my way of life after that therapy. However, again in a matter of 1-2 months, I had to attend a meditation program for which I had to go plant-based for two full months and that brought about a change.

I had always seen videos on cruelty in dairy and poultry and I would feel really bad but couldn’t do anything beyond feeling bad. But going off those, made all the difference. I can no longer consume something for my pleasure by harming another being. Since then my migraines subsided – both in frequency and intensity. I no longer had to shut myself in a dark room and call it a day. I started feeling lighter and happier in general. And after turning to whole foods, along with regular yoga I have reversed my PCOD. My cycles which were never regular since puberty came to the most optimal 29 days! Even my sinus issues subsided in less than 6 months. I conceived naturally without any therapy/medicines or even supplements at 38!

Now coming to the pregnancy – it was different. With everyone from my doctor to my househelp asking me to consume milk, ghee and eggs, and my refusal to go for anything processed like a protein powder,  I wanted to ensure I was not missing anything. And for this SHARAN nutritionist Shalini Goenka came to my rescue. She is immensely knowledgeable in the area and has scientific backing. She also has a pitara of amazing recipes and ideas. Apart from providing support on the diet, she also helped me sail through my pregnancy with her very cool and positive mindset. Especially in the first trimester, when things were changing too quickly and everything was shaky – she would give me quick ideas for the foods which I could eat as I wasn’t able to eat much. Same for the second, because the cravings were unending! And lastly, she helped me with the most important thing – trust and patience. She used to take timely reviews with me through the tenure and edit and amend wherever needed based on what I was able to do and what not. Thanks a lot, Shalini, for being there and helping me have a plant-based pregnancy as I wanted. My boy is soon turning one – and is hale and hearty!