Plant-based food consumption in India 2019 by type

According to a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in September 2019, nearly 76 percent of respondents in India said they had consumed plant-based milk, from soy, rice almond or oats for example. On the other hand, about 29 percent had tried meat substitutes during the survey period.

India consumes a primarily cereal-heavy diet mainly due to price, varying in details across cultures and regions. While Indians are largely believed to be vegetarian and a model for a world that arguably requires a substantial decrease in the consumption of animal food sources for sustainability, the south Asian country ranked 102 out of 117 on the Global Hunger Index 2019. Research from early 2019 showed only the rich could afford meeting their recommended nutrition needs in the country.