Study Flags Poor-Quality Protein Intake As India Leans Heavily On Rice And Wheat

The Indian diet is shifting in ways that look sufficient on the surface but mask deep nutritional gaps. Researchers have found that nearly half of the protein Indians consume at home now comes from low-quality cereal sources like rice, wheat, suji and maida, signalling a silent nutritional emergency.

The study conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a think tank, said that while the average Indian is eating about 55.6 grams of protein per day, which is close to what is considered adequate, the quality of this protein is poor. This is because cereals do not contain all the essential amino acids the body needs, and the protein they provide is not easily digestible.

The study warns this is creating a hidden nutritional crisis. Most households eat too much cereal and cooking oil, while healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, and pulses are eaten far less than required. According to Apoorve Khandelwal, a Fellow at CEEW, the findings show a “silent crisis” in the Indian diet. She says India’s food habits have become heavily dependent on cereals and oils, while many nutritious foods remain missing from the plate.

The study also highlights sharp inequalities. People from the poorest 10 per cent of households drink only 2–3 glasses of milk a week and eat fruit equal to just two bananas a week. In contrast, the richest households consume 8–9 glasses of milk and 8–10 bananas per week. This gap shows how access to nutritious food is still determined by income.

Another problem the study points out is India’s dependence on a very narrow range of crops. Most families rely on rice and wheat, especially because they are available at low cost through the Public Distribution System (PDS). As a result, people are eating far more cereals than recommended. In fact, cereals supply nearly 75 per cent of all carbohydrates in Indian homes, and overall cereal consumption is 1.5 times higher than the recommended levels.

While rice and wheat consumption remains high, the intake of healthier coarse grains—such as jowar, bajra, and ragi—has dropped steeply. Over the last decade, coarse grain consumption has fallen by almost 40 per cent per person, and today, Indians are eating only 15 per cent of the recommended amount of these nutrient-rich grains.

The study also warns about rising fat intake. More and more households are consuming cooking oil in excess. In fact, the number of households eating more than 1.5 times the recommended fat levels has doubled. Richer families consume nearly twice as much fat as poorer ones. This, combined with low fruit and vegetable intake, may increase the risk of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart-related problems.

To improve the overall diet quality, the report suggests that India’s major food schemes need to be redesigned. It recommends that programmes like the PDS, PM POSHAN (midday meals), and Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0 should distribute more nutritious foods instead of focusing mainly on cereals. The suggested additions include coarse grains, pulses, milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, which can help households access more balanced and diverse nutrition.

Making healthier foods available and affordable is essential if the country wants to improve public health and strengthen nutrition security for all, underscored the study.