u/tatasuv

Most people focus on protein, but fibre is probably one of the most ignored parts of Indian diets right now. A lot of packaged foods are high calorie but very low in fibre, which is probably one reason people feel hungry again so quickly.

What do you usually eat for fibre?

First there were government campaigns asking people to cut edible oil usage by 10%. Now even cricketers like Ajinkya Rahane are part of the messaging around using less oil. Obviously eating less fried food is healthier. India already has rising obesity, diabetes and heart disease issues.

But let's be honest, this sudden push also feels connected to global oil tensions, rising import costs and supply concerns. India imports a huge amount of edible oil, so reducing consumption probably helps economically too. Feels like health and economics are both part of the conversation now.

That's probably one of the biggest reasons so many people feel hungry again soon after eating. Small swaps are underrated.

• Roasted chana instead of chips.
• Fruits instead of packaged sweets.
• Peanuts or dry fruits instead of namkeen.
• Sprouts instead of deep fried snacks.

What healthy snacks do you actually enjoy eating regularly?

A lot of vegan meals in India look balanced, but protein can end up lower than expected depending on how meals are put together.

1. Relying too much on dal
Dal feels like the main protein source but one bowl is only ~6–8g. A dal + roti meal often isn't as high-protein as it seems.

2. Roti + sabzi meals are low protein
This is a very common combo but it's mostly carbs and fats unless something like chana, tofu, or sprouts is added.

3. Clean eating but also low protein
Poha, upma, fruits, smoothies, salads… all fine but they don't contribute much protein unless you plan for it.

4. Skipping soya chunks or tofu
Often avoided because of myths or taste preferences, even though they are some of the most practical high-protein options in India.

5. No structure to meals
If there is no effort to include ~15–25g protein in a meal, daily intake usually ends up lower than expected.

A simple way to improve this without changing your entire diet is to just make sure each meal has one solid protein source. Even small additions like chana, rajma, sprouts, peanuts, or soya chunks alongside regular meals can make a noticeable difference.

A couple of things stood out for me:

• Dal and chickpeas are decent, but you need proper quantity
• Peanut butter/nuts look high, but you are also eating a lot of calories
• Stuff like oats/bread adds up, but slowly

Basically, veg protein is doable, but you can't rely on just one thing. You need to mix sources.

Would be interesting to know how people here are managing protein daily, especially if you are vegetarian.

Seeing a lot of ads lately with Janhvi Kapoor promoting Avvatar protein products.

The messaging feels very relatable. Fitness, cravings, and using protein snacks as a smart option. Are we choosing protein based on ads and branding or based on actual value and what we are getting for the price? Do celebrity ads influence your choices at all?

A 24 year old software engineer ended up on dialysis after having cola coloured urine and extreme fatigue. His kidney function was severely affected.

He was a regular at the gym and like many people balancing a desk job with fitness goals, he wanted faster and more visible results. In the process, he blindly trusted his gym instructor and started using locally sourced protein and supplement powders with unclear labelling because they were cheaper. That decision cost him his health.

If you are buying supplements, make sure the brand is reliable and the source is trusted.