Indians may be consuming adequate protein on average, but nearly half of it is coming from low-quality cereal sources, according to a new study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

The analysis, based on the latest 2023-24 NSSO Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, highlights deep nutritional imbalances and widening diet-related inequalities across expenditure groups.

Cereal overload

While Indians consume an average of 55.6 grams of protein per day at home, nearly 50 per cent of this intake comes from cereals such as rice, wheat, maida, and suji, far higher than the National Institute of Nutrition ’s (NIN) recommended 32 per cent. Pulses account for only 11 per cent of total protein intake, well below the 19 per cent recommended, the study reported.

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