Indians are consuming just around 10 per cent of the recommended quantity of whole grains, a trend that is contributing to a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity, according to a new white paper.
The report, titled “Opportunities with Whole Grains to Support Metabolic Health among Indians: Evidence Mapping,” highlights a significant dietary shift from nutrient-rich whole grains to refined grains, despite India having access to more than 20 varieties of millets.
As per the findings, the average daily intake of whole grains in India is approximately 42 grams, far below the 125 grams recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition. This accounts for only a small portion of the total daily grain consumption of about 432 grams.
The white paper was released by the Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India in collaboration with ITC Limited. It notes that the growing preference for refined grains strips away essential nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals during processing, making diets calorie-dense but nutritionally poor.
The study links this dietary imbalance to the increasing burden of lifestyle diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and type-2 diabetes across the country.
While India has sufficient agricultural resources to promote whole grains, the report underlines the lack of strong policy push and public awareness as key barriers.
It recommends steps such as promoting fortified whole grain products, encouraging healthier recipes through digital tools, implementing community-based nutrition programmes, offering counselling to vulnerable groups, and expanding research on dietary impacts across age groups.
