JOIN USBengaluru a salad city
A report by a food delivery service says Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru order food online the most.
While chicken biryani is the most ordered item in Hyderabad, tikkas, butter chicken and hakka noodles are favourites in Delhi. In Mumbai, people order lots of milkshakes and burgers.
Bengaluru is big on salads and sugar-free juices, making the city the most health-conscious in India.
Metrolife spoke to a dietitian, a wellness coach and a doctor to know if this is reflected in what they see in their practice.
Pavithra Rajkumar, holistic wellness coach, says Bengaluru has a huge population of corporate and IT professionals who read health-related information online.
“In the last two years, there is a tremendous growth in gyms, organic and vegan restaurants in the city. This shows that the younger crowd is moving towards a healthy diet,” says Pavithra.
Social media influencers and bloggers are helping the change, she says.
“Health awareness is spreading like a movement among youngsters; it can be seen not just in their diet but also, for instance, in the way they travel,” she observes.
More aware younger people are moving towards sustainable living. The older generation still doesn’t consider a salad a meal, she says. Another reason for health awareness among Bengalureans is what they see around them
“Many below 30 are falling prey to diabetes and lifestyle ailments. It is a wake-up call for those leading a stressful life,” says Pavithra.
Dr L Narendra Prasad, consultant internal medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal, says, “People have taken to different forms of exercises like cycling and running as their daily routine. Awareness about diabetes and metabolism disorders has resulted in people taking up these activities and maintaining a healthy diet.”
Access to platforms like Big Basket (where one gets fresh cut fruits and salads), allows young couples, students and professionals to eat salads and fresh fruits.
“The desire to be healthy among young Bengalureans is definitely going up. They have ample access to information. Having said that, youngsters have the capability to adapt to a new lifestyle more easily,” says Prasad.
Rinki Kumari, chief dietitian, Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham Road, attributes this change to the diagnostics that Bengalureans have easy access to.
“Medical follow-ups in most corporate companies have given them enough insight about their health and what they should do to live healthily. The para-medical and medical teams in the city are very strong and helpful to public,” she says.
Many take a conscious decision to stay away from junk and high-carb food, Rinki observes.
Why not to eat late at night
- Disturbs body metabolism
- Causes gastric problems
- Makes fat accumulate in body
- Disturbs sleep pattern
(According to Rinki Kumari, chief dietitian)