Every September, India observes ‘National Nutrition Month’, a time to spotlight the importance of healthy eating and a balanced diet, particularly for women and children. However, the reality on the ground is far more complex. With over 800 million Indians relying on the government for free food, the concept of a balanced diet often remains theoretical for many.
Dietary patterns in India reveal significant discrepancies in meeting nutritional guidelines. “My Plate for the Day,” a nutritional guide developed by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute for Nutrition (NIN), recommends a plate divided in half: one half for fruits and vegetables and the other half for cereals, millets, pulses, flesh foods, eggs, nuts, oilseeds, and milk or curd. Yet, data shows a concerning trend of underconsumption of micronutrient-rich foods like whole grains, pulses, and fresh produce, while refined cereals are over-consumed.
The guide emphasizes that cereals should not contribute more than 45% of daily energy needs, with the remainder coming from less carbohydrate-heavy nutrients. However, the ICMR-NIN study found that cereals actually provide 50-70% of daily energy for Indians, while pulses, meat, poultry, and fish combined contribute only 6-9%, falling significantly short of the recommended 14%.
While the reliance on cereals has slightly declined over the past decade, data from the government’s consumption survey reveals a stark reality: the consumption of more nutritious items is drastically lower for the bottom 20% of the population compared to the top 20%, reflecting a significant inequality. The disparity in consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, milk products, eggs, fish, and meat is particularly pronounced, with the bottom 20% consuming only 360-620 grams for every 1 kg consumed by the top quintile.
Beyond the issue of affordability, there are deeper challenges contributing to India’s nutritional gap. The escalating cost of food items in recent years has significantly impacted the affordability of a balanced diet, making it a luxury for many. A recent analysis of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket revealed that inflation for major constituents of a balanced diet was more than twice the rate of overall inflation in the past year.
Furthermore, a lack of awareness about healthy eating and aggressive marketing of unhealthy food products are contributing to the problem. While some states considered more prosperous, like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, score highly on accessibility and affordability, they lag behind the national average in awareness, according to the Nutrition Awareness Index created by advocacy group Right to Protein and survey agency YouGov.
The ICMR also emphasizes the growing concern of ultra-processed foods high in sugars, salt, and fats, combined with a more sedentary lifestyle, which exacerbates micronutrient deficiencies and obesity rates. These unhealthy processed foods have become increasingly affordable and are being consumed at alarming rates. The 2022-23 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey showed that rural Indians spent 9.6% of their monthly budgets on beverages and processed food, while urban Indians spent 10.6%, exceeding spending on any other food group.
This trend is further fueled by aggressive marketing strategies by manufacturers of these less nutritious choices. Despite warnings about the high content of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats in commonly available food and beverages, a lack of regulation continues to hinder efforts to protect consumers.
While affordability is a crucial barrier, Dr Arun Gupta, convenor at the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), highlights the persuasive power of marketing: “If I am swamped by marketing, I will consume that product daily.”
Addressing India’s nutritional gap requires a multi-pronged approach that tackles affordability, awareness, and the influence of marketing on dietary choices. Government initiatives, educational campaigns, and stricter regulations on food marketing are essential to ensure that a balanced diet is not just a theoretical concept but a tangible reality for all Indians.
