In Gujarat's cities, diets still run on cereals
In villages, their role is even more dominant, making up 43% of calorie consumption while accounting for 4.5% of total spending.
Cereals also account for a major portion of protein intake for people in Gujarat.
These insights come from the Centre's latest "Nutritional Intake in India" report, which tracks food patterns and calorie sources across Indian states. The report reveals that Gujarat has seen a modest improvement in overall nutritional intake over the past 15 years, with urban residents gaining an extra 214 calories per day.
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Between 2009-10 and 2023-24, the average per capita daily calorie intake in Gujarat's urban areas increased from 2,096 to 2,310. In rural regions, the increase was more modest, from 2,046 to 2,105 calories per day.
Spending patterns show that food still commands a significant portion of monthly expenses. In 2023-24, people in rural Gujarat spent 49.5% of their total expenditure on food, compared to 43.6% in urban areas.
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Despite this, cereals continue to be the backbone of both calorie and protein intake.
The report highlights the composition of protein sources. In rural Gujarat, 47.3% of protein comes from cereals, 10.6% from pulses, 15% from milk and milk products, 3.6% from eggs, fish, and meat, and 23.5% from other sources. In urban areas, 40.4% of protein comes from cereals, 11.2% from pulses, 16.3% from milk and milk products, 3.6% from animal-based foods, and 28.4% from other items.
Nutrition experts say the findings underline Gujarat's continued dependence on cereals, especially in rural areas, despite gradual diversification in urban diets. While the increase in calorie intake is a positive sign, the composition of nutrients remains heavily skewed.
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