With protein powders and dietary supplements becoming increasingly popular, ILBS Director Dr SK Sarin has urged people to reconsider their everyday food choices. Sharing his Dr SK Sarin nutrition advice at the India Today HealthWealth Summit, he emphasised that traditional foods, balanced meals and home-cooked dishes should remain the foundation of a healthy diet.
Sarin highlighted buttermilk, sattu and green vegetables as useful additions to daily meals, questioning the growing dependence on supplements for better health.
"Buttermilk is better than whey protein any day," he said during a session titled Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
His broader message was that supplements cannot compensate for poor dietary habits. He advised people against relying on protein powders and other products while neglecting the quality of their regular meals.
Why Traditional Foods Deserve Attention
Sarin encouraged people to prioritise familiar foods instead of treating supplements as an essential part of everyday nutrition.
He particularly highlighted:
- Buttermilk: A traditional drink that provides hydration, calcium and some protein, depending on its preparation.
- Sattu: A popular food made from roasted gram, commonly consumed in several parts of India.
- Green vegetables: An important part of balanced everyday meals.
- Home-cooked food: Meals prepared at home allow people to make more informed choices about ingredients and preparation.
Sarin also stressed the importance of limiting dependence on outside food, saying, "Homemade food is the best. Outside food should be eaten only sometimes."
Can Buttermilk Replace Whey Protein?
The discussion around buttermilk and whey protein also highlights an important nutritional distinction.
Buttermilk can contribute to hydration and provide some protein and calcium. However, its protein content is generally much lower than that of whey protein.
Whey is a concentrated source of high-quality protein and can be useful for people who struggle to meet their daily requirements through food.
Therefore, the two are not nutritionally equivalent, and their suitability depends on individual dietary needs.
Protein Requirements Differ From Person to Person
Protein requirements vary according to age, physical activity, dietary patterns and medical conditions. People involved in strength training may have different requirements from those with relatively sedentary lifestyles.
Sarin's central message was that supplements should not become a substitute for nutritious meals. A balanced diet should come first, with supplements considered according to individual requirements rather than as a shortcut to better health.
His advice brings traditional Indian foods back into focus at a time when protein powders and fitness supplements are increasingly common in everyday diets.
Relevant Link: Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS)
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