According to the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2023-24), Indians are spending more on beverages, refreshments and processed foods than on fruits and vegetables every month.

Both rural and urban households continue to allocate a large portion of their food expenditure to these categories, and this trend reflects the changing dietary habits of Indians, reflecting an increasing reliance on convenience foods.

The survey covering 2.61 lakh households – 1.54 lakh rural and 1.07 lakh urban – revealed notable spending trends. In rural India, 47% of monthly expenditure is spent on food, with about 10% allocated to processed foods and beverages. This figure is higher than the expenditure on fruits (3.85%), vegetables (6.03%), cereals (4.99%), and eggs, fish and meat (4.92%).

Urban India also displayed a similar trend, with 39% of monthly expenditure spent on food. Of this, 11% was spent on beverages and processed foods, which is much more than spending on fruits (3.87%), vegetables (4.12%), grains (3.76%), and eggs, fish, and meat (3.56%). .

Average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) on food increased from 46.38% in 2022-23 to 47.04% in 2023-24 for rural areas and from 39.17% to 39.68% for urban areas.

Experts warn that this increased spending on sugary beverages and processed foods is linked to the increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular issues.

Dr Basavaraj S Kumbhar, consultant in internal medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “Traditional eating habits in India are moving towards a Western lifestyle. Sweet drinks are becoming more common, while consumption of fruits and vegetables is becoming more common. is decreasing. This leads to higher growth.” Consuming calories, along with low essential nutrients, contributes to health issues such as diabetes and heart diseases.”

They highlighted the role of sedentary lifestyle in worsening these health outcomes, especially in people aged 20 to 40.

A Lancet study published by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the World Health Organization in November 2024 showed that India had the highest number of diabetes patients globally in 2022, with about 62% of them not receiving any treatment.

Dr Anupam Goyal, Director, Cardiology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi, stressed, “Non-communicable diseases are a growing epidemic in India. Stress, inactivity habits and poor diet choices, including a high intake of processed foods and sugary drinks, Involves continuous consumption.” Major contributors. “These habits are placing a huge burden on our health care system.”

Experts have suggested a multi-pronged approach to deal with this problem. Stricter regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, increased taxes on sugary beverages, and broader community-level health interventions are needed.

“We should encourage fresh food, vegetables, whole grains and dairy-based products,” Dr Goyal said, recommending a return to traditional dietary practices. Simple changes like replacing sweet drinks with milk, lassi or fresh juices. “It could make a difference.” ,

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – India’s apex medical panel – also released updated dietary guidelines in May 2024, stating that 56.4% of India’s total disease burden is linked to unhealthy diet.

Recommendations include limiting salt and sugar intake, reducing oil and fat intake, regular physical activity, and reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Increasing spending on processed foods and sugary beverages represents both an economic and public health challenge. While policy changes, education campaigns, and health care interventions are necessary, individual choices also play an important role.

As India moves forward on this dietary transformation, balancing convenience with health consciousness will be important to reduce the long-term burden of non-communicable diseases on society.