“Jitna kam khaoge na, utna zyada vitality hota hai” (The much less you eat, the extra vitality you’ve got), mentioned actor Ram Kapoor on Bharti Singh’s podcast, the place he appeared alongside Mona Singh.The dialog turned revealing when Kapoor mentioned, “In the event you eat just one meal a day — important nahi karta hoon… (I don’t do this),” prompting Mona so as to add, “I eat one meal a day.” Kapoor continued, “I eat two. However one meal a day is meant to be the healthiest. Jo aapki vitality stage double ho jaati hai (Your vitality stage doubles).”
Citing religious chief Sadhguru, he mentioned, “Sadhguru ko jaante ho? One meal a day khaate hain, unhone khud bataya hai—YouTube mein hai. (Have you learnt Sadhguru? He eats one meal a day, he’s mentioned it himself, it’s on YouTube.)” Kapoor then claimed, “In the event you eat two meals a day, technically you might be overeating.”
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He went a step additional, questioning the very basis of contemporary meal norms: “Jo pichhle 20 saal mein sikhaya gaya hai –— teen meal khaao, cereal khaao… sab galat hai. Yeh sab meals business ko promote karne ke liye kiya gaya tha. (All the pieces we’ve been taught within the final 20 years… that we must always eat three meals a day, eat cereal… is all flawed. It was promoted to profit the meals business).”
When Bharti joked about having 4 meals a day, Kapoor mentioned, “Arey important toh 10 khaata tha. Beech-beech mein saans lene ke liye rukna padta tha mujhe.” (I used to eat 10 occasions a day—I needed to pause simply to breathe.)
This candid alternate shines mild on the rising recognition of intermittent fasting developments like OMAD (One Meal A Day) and the Two-Meal method. However in a rustic as socio-economically various as India, with lengthy working hours and various dietary wants, is this type of celebrity-endorsed way of life change truly possible or advisable?
The colonial affect on Indian consuming patterns
Meals historical past skilled Alok Singh of Diga Organics defined that earlier than colonial affect, Indian consuming patterns have been removed from standardised. “Meal timings have been extra intuitive, formed by local weather, agricultural work, religious customs, and regional meals availability,” he informed indianexpress.com.Story continues beneath this advert
Agrarian and pastoral communities usually ate two important meals — one after the morning’s work and one other after sundown. In areas like Rajasthan or Ladakh, heavier meals have been taken earlier within the day to match the tough local weather. Amongst tribal and nomadic teams, meals have been typically dictated by availability relatively than fastened schedules.
The three-meal construction, Singh says, was institutionalised throughout colonial rule, particularly in cities and amongst these in authorities or army employment. “The British imposed the rhythm of breakfast-lunch-dinner based mostly on Victorian norms, which was replicated in colleges, workplaces, and hospitals.”
It additionally turned aspirational. “Consuming three meals a day got here to symbolise modernity, order, and class, in keeping with British beliefs,” Singh mentioned.
The forgotten knowledge of cyclical consuming
Singh additionally identified that historical Indian consuming was based mostly extra on cycles of fasting and feasting than inflexible meal timings. “Weekly fasts, seasonal detoxes, and fasting on non secular days have been widespread throughout communities. These weren’t simply religious practices; they mirrored a cyclical understanding of digestion and well being,” he mentioned.Story continues beneath this advert
He additionally famous that dishes like idli, poha, and upma existed lengthy earlier than the idea of “breakfast” was formalised. They have been merely sensible, early-morning meals— mild, simple to digest, and infrequently comprised of fermented or leftover grains. Their transformation into “breakfast meals” had extra to do with urbanisation, faculty timings, and nuclear households than any cultural shift.
Movie star routines can elevate consciousness, however they typically lack scientific context. (Supply: Freepik)
The fact verify
In the present day, as celebrities champion OMAD and intermittent fasting, some individuals are experimenting with OMAD or two-meal routines –– with blended outcomes.
Journalist Madhulika Sprint started a versatile method combining OMAD, two meals, and intermittent fasting after being identified with Grade 4 fatty liver. Instructed to lose 10 kg and put together for surgical procedure, she as a substitute selected to heal by way of way of life change. Her expertise highlighted each the transformative potential and the challenges: “You are feeling lighter, extra targeted, your pores and skin improves, interval pains cut back, and your joints develop into extra versatile. You additionally get extra attuned to your physique’s indicators.” Nonetheless, she warned, “You want dietary supplements, as a result of it’s simple to cling to at least one model of consuming simply due to how good it makes you’re feeling.”
For Niyti Chetan Maru, 25, OMAD linked her to Jain religious fasting (Varsitap), the place she alternated full fasts with easy meals. “Sooner or later I’d fully quick with simply boiled water, after which the next day I’d have two plain Jain meals,” she mentioned, including, “I felt lighter, digestion was higher, and I craved much less. Mentally, I used to be extra relaxed, clearer-headed, and fewer reactive.” However, on some days, she additionally skilled “exhaustion, minor complications, or lagging vitality.”Story continues beneath this advert
Deep Mitra Roy, 33, provided a distinct perspective: “Everybody’s romanticising OMAD due to celeb podcasts. However celebs have cooks, wellness groups, and PR. Strive doing it with a 9-to-5 job and social meals –– it doesn’t work.” He additionally confronted bodily unwanted side effects: “My gymnasium stamina dropped. I bought irritable. My relationship with meals turned obsessive. I began dreading meals as a substitute of having fun with them.”
Lubna Ifrah, 25, tried a two-meal-a-day sample after weight acquire. “It began throughout Ramadan and I saved going as a result of it labored. However convincing my mother and father to let me skip breakfast was onerous.” Over time, she observed extra vitality and fewer senseless consuming. “It really works when you’ve got a naturally small urge for food and may energy by way of the preliminary starvation,” she mentioned.
What specialists say
Nutritionist Aditi Prabhu, founding father of NutroDynamix, mentioned fasting shouldn’t be new to Indian tradition, however wants context: “Whether or not fewer meals will work is determined by age, medical points, local weather, urge for food, and way of life. Doing it unsupervised could be dangerous.”
She famous that Indian diets are closely carbohydrate-based, with reasonable to low protein and micronutrients. “Proscribing frequency with out balanced consumption could result in fatigue and deficiencies,” she mentioned.Story continues beneath this advert
Dietician Pranjal Kumat echoed this: “Whereas it could enhance insulin sensitivity or assist weight reduction in some, it’s not sustainable for many Indians—particularly these with erratic schedules or excessive vitality calls for.”
Purple flags embody fatigue, temper swings, intestine points, hormonal imbalances, and nutrient loss. “Folks could expertise muscle loss, poor focus, and irregular durations with out correct planning,” Kumat warned.
Ought to celebrities be extra accountable?
Specialists warned towards blindly following celeb well being developments. “Celebrities reside very completely different lives. Whereas they work onerous to keep up their look, in addition they have entry to private trainers, dietitians, and medical specialists,” mentioned Prabhu, including, “They’re not healthcare professionals, and should not realise that well being and vitamin should be tailor-made to every particular person.”
Kumat echoed the priority: “Movie star routines can elevate consciousness, however they typically lack scientific context. These diets are often carried out underneath skilled supervision ,one thing most individuals don’t have, and that may result in unrealistic expectations and potential well being dangers.”Story continues beneath this advert
Whereas it could enhance insulin sensitivity or assist weight reduction in some, it’s not sustainable for many Indians (Supply: Freepik)
Discovering a stability is crucial
Kapoor could also be proper concerning the three-meal construction being traditionally latest and colonial in origin. However that doesn’t imply OMAD or two-meal diets are universally higher.
The core lesson, as per each specialists and practitioners, is that this: consuming patterns must be versatile, private, and aligned along with your physique’s wants, way of life, well being situations, and cultural context. It shouldn’t be a blanket rule borrowed from influencers or historical customs.
The actual lesson isn’t concerning the variety of meals, however about reconnecting with our physique’s pure rhythms whereas being aware of our trendy realities. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all in relation to vitamin,” Prabhu mentioned.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
