80 % Indian diets are protein deficient: Survey

Ninety per cent Delhiites registered a protein deficiency in their meal plan, says a recent survey, which has also indicated that over 80 per cent of Indian diets are protein deficient. This implies that most people are not getting the right amount of proteins required.

The Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) conducted a consumer survey across seven major cities titled ‘The protein consumption in diet of adult Indians’ by interviewing 1,260 respondents, which included males and females (non-pregnant and lactating) between the age of 30-55 years. Fifty-nine per cent of the sample size was non-vegetarian.

Dr. Ritika Samaddar, dietician at Max Healthcare, said: “The protein requirement of an average adult per day is 1 gram per kg of the body weight. An intake less than this will lead to difficulty in performing simple tasks and processing sensory signals by the brain. One of the key symptoms of lack of proteins is weakness and fatigue.”

Based on preference, the food items that were regarded as the best sources of protein by vegetarians were milk, green leafy vegetables and pulses, while eggs, fish and chicken found favour among the non-vegetarians.

The survey also found that 91 per cent of the vegetarians surveyed were found to have a higher protein deficiency as compared to 85 per cent of their non-vegetarian counterparts.

It was also found that in the north zone, 98 per cent of the respondents were not aware of the ideal protein requirement for an average adult, which is the highest when compared to other parts of India.

“All of them believed that their protein intake was adequate,” the survey noted.

The study also found that 80 per cent of the respondents were aware of the health benefits associated with proteins, which includes strengthening muscles, building immunity, overcoming fatigue and for healthy nails and hair,” said the investigators.

Dr. Samaddar added: “People fail to understand the importance of protein supplements in the daily diet. They tend to associate protein supplements as being ideal for body builders or malnourished people only. It is high time they start incorporating protein rich food in their diet otherwise it can lead to serious repercussions in generations to come.”