More Indians are eating animal proteins, as per govt's own data

For a country that’s long worn the 'vegetarian nation' badge with self-righteous pride — and not without a little state-sponsored push — the data tells a juicier story. Far from sticking to sprouts and dal, more Indians than ever are tucking into eggs, meat, fish, and dairy.

According to the freshly released report on 'Nutritional Intake in India' as part of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey: 2022–23 & 2023–24, the intake of protein-rich food has indeed gone up across the country — but here’s the kicker: the biggest gains come not from lentils, but from animal and animal-derived proteins. Even as government messaging has often veered toward glorifying a cow-hugging, ghee-loving, strictly herbivorous India, real diets are telling a far more carnivorous tale.

Urban India has seen an 8 per cent jump in daily protein intake — from 58.8 grams in 2009–10 to 63.4 grams in 2023–24. Rural India hasn’t lagged far behind, inching up from 59.3 grams to 61.8 grams in the same period.

While pulses held steady in villages and dipped slightly in cities, it’s eggs, meat, and fish that saw the biggest spike. Turns out, when people have a choice, they don’t always pick paneer.

Meanwhile, fat consumption has ballooned like a deep-fried puri. In rural areas, daily intake shot up from 43.1 grams to 60.4 grams per person; in cities, it jumped from 53.0 grams to 69.8 grams. Every major state showed a rise, making it clear that low-fat sermons haven’t quite stuck.

Cereals, still the main source of protein, are slowly losing their grip — contributing 46–47 per cent of protein intake in rural India and around 39 per cent in urban areas in 2022–24. That’s a noticeable drop of 14 per cent and 12 per cent respectively since 2009–10. What’s stepping in to fill the gap? You guessed it: eggs, meat, fish, milk and milk products. Apparently, animal protein isn’t just a Western indulgence — it’s increasingly an Indian staple.

So the next time someone earnestly declares India a vegetarian country, feel free to hand them the stats. The myth is cracking — one omelette at a time.