'Son opened my eyes, Cannot love 'dog' & still eat chicken': Genelia Dsouza on QUITTING 'non veg food'

Genelia Dsouza has long been admired not just for her work on screen but also for the warmth and honesty with which she speaks about her personal life. Over the years, the actress has often shared glimpses of her journey as a mother, her evolving outlook on life, and the values she hopes to pass on to her children. Recently, she opened up about another deeply personal shift, one that has transformed her relationship with food and wellbeing. Speaking candidly, Genelia reflected on how her perspective around eating habits has changed with time, introspection, and emotional growth.

The actress addressed this topic during a conversation with Amy Aela on the podcast Kindness with Amy, where she spoke about her decision to follow a plant based diet. Genelia revealed that this change was not impulsive but rooted in inner conflict and a moment of clarity that came from an unexpected source, her son. Sharing what prompted her to rethink her choices, she said, “This was a topic that was bothering me for a while that am I doing the right thing, am I not doing the right thing? I have always been a dog lover and I have always been a guilty animal lover. My son actually opened my eyes. He said, ‘Aai, you cannot say you love flash and eat a chicken,’ you know its a matter of accepting ke nahi yaar, shayad I am wrong. Somewhere down the line it made me feel so much better. Everything that restricted me from being the being the best version of myself was now coming to play with me giving up a segment of my food that I thought I couldn't live without.”

I have always been a dog lover and I have always been a guilty animal lover. My son actually opened my eyes. He said, ‘Aai, you cannot say you love flash and eat a chicken,’ you know its a matter of accepting ke nahi yaar, shayad I am wrong. Somewhere down the line it made me feel so much better. Everything that restricted me from being the being the best version of myself was now coming to play with me giving up a segment of my food that I thought I couldn't live without.

- Genelia Dsouza

Genelia also spoke honestly about her upbringing and how consuming meat was once a normal part of her life. Reflecting on how her awareness has evolved over time, she acknowledged that certain things felt acceptable simply because they were familiar. Opening up about this shift in mindset, the actress said, “Yes. Now, when I think about it, it never bothered me then. I remember there used to be these vans that move out with poultry and I would see them and it didn't bother me then. And today, I cannot look up. I look down in my car most often. Eventually, I've come to understand that you just get used to certain things being okay even if they're not. You would if you put some thought into it. But at that point in time, it feels like this is what I want to eat and this is luxury and this is all of it. I think that was me. But today, I feel adapting to a plan based lifestyle is the best thing I have ever done for myself.”

Through the conversation, Genelia made it clear that her transition was not about judgment or imposing beliefs on others, but about personal alignment and emotional peace. She described how listening to her child sparked self reflection and encouraged her to question long held habits. For the actress, choosing a plant based lifestyle became a way to live more consciously and in harmony with the compassion she already felt for animals.

Genelia’s words underline how personal growth often comes from the simplest yet most profound moments. Her journey serves as a reminder that change does not always stem from external influence or trends, but sometimes from honest conversations at home and the courage to listen, reflect, and evolve.

On the work front, Genelia Dsouza continues to balance her personal and professional life with ease. After taking a step back from full time acting to focus on her family, the actress has gradually returned to films, making notable appearances in Hindi and regional cinema. She remains a popular face across languages and platforms. Genelia has been happily married to actor Riteish Deshmukh since 2012, and the couple is often praised for their strong bond and grounded approach to parenting their two sons.