From a famine-hit nation in the 1970s, India is one of the world’s leading food exporters today. However, based on the findings of NSSO’s latest quintennial survey, its journey to nutrition security is incomplete. The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 presents information on the monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) on food, consumables and durable goods. Collected periodically over the past 23 years, it offers insights into food expenditure. Overall, food expenditures have risen in real terms. Expenditures on protein sources such as dairy, eggs and meat, fruits, vegetables and nuts have risen while expenditures on cereals have dropped, despite recent evidence that shows more than half the plate is composed of carbohydrates.

While lower expenditure on cereals is cons

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