Nutrition expert Rujuta Diwekar slams Nikhil Kamath, warns against adopting Singapore’s eating out culture in India

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

A recent comment by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath about Singapore’s eating habits has sparked an intense online debate, with renowned dietician Rujuta Diwekar offering a strong rebuttal.

Nikhil Kamath - Instagram
Nikhil Kamath. Photo courtesy: Instagram/nikhilkamathcio

Kamath had suggested that India should adopt Singapore’s culture of dining out instead of cooking at home, predicting that such a shift would open up vast opportunities for restaurateurs in India.

Kamath’s statement came after a recent visit to Singapore, where he observed that many people didn’t cook at home and that some even lacked kitchens altogether. He expressed his belief that if India were to follow this trend, the restaurant industry could flourish in ways similar to the large-scale Southeast Asian food chains.

“What’s different in our consumption behavior?” Kamath asked on social media, suggesting that changes in the Indian economy, such as a higher GDP per capita and rising labour costs, might lead to a growing trend of dining out. He encouraged restaurateurs to consider what could drive India’s food industry forward and made a case for investing in the restaurant business. His comments were accompanied by several infographics, in an attempt to show the potential for growth in the restaurant sector.

In contrast to Kamath’s argument, Diwekar, a well-known nutrition expert and dietician, quickly responded, taking to social media to express her views. Diwekar, who has worked with Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor on her diet plans, was quick to criticize Kamath’s view that dining out should become a norm in India.

Nutrition and wellness expert Rujuta Diwekar
Nutrition and wellness expert Rujuta Diwekar. Photo courtesy: rujutadiwekar.com

“Do not listen to rich boys, eating at home is a healthy practice,” Diwekar posted, emphasizing the health benefits of home-cooked food.

She argued that preparing meals at home not only supports a healthier lifestyle but also strengthens community bonds and fosters love and security. She encouraged people, regardless of age, gender, or income, to embrace cooking and make it a part of their daily routine.

“Learn to cook. Practice it often,” she added, reinforcing her message about the importance of home-cooked food.

Kamath’s remarks ignited a lively debate online, with many users comparing the dining habits of Singapore and India. Those in favour of Singapore’s model pointed out that the country’s hawker centers provide affordable, hygienic, and nutritious meals, especially for working professionals. With over 120 government-backed hawker centers and thousands of food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, they argued that eating out is convenient, accessible, and healthy for Singaporeans.

In Singapore, many individuals rely on hawker centers to meet their daily food needs, reducing the necessity for home cooking. The government has even supported this culture through incubation programs to ensure the sustainability of hawker food stalls. This has led to a more widespread acceptance of dining out as a regular part of life.

However, many disagreed with Kamath’s perspective, warning against promoting frequent dining out in India. Critics, including nutritionists and health experts, pointed out that eating out regularly can contribute to lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and even cancer. They emphasized that home-cooked food remains the healthiest option, providing more control over ingredients and cooking methods.

Some Indian users also pointed out that the situation in India is quite different from Singapore’s. Concerns about street food hygiene and the higher cost of dining at restaurants make eating out less practical for many people in India. For most households, home-cooked meals are not just more affordable, but also a cultural tradition that ties families and communities together.

A resident of Singapore weighed in, explaining how the country’s food culture differs from India’s. Singapore’s efficient system of affordable and government-supported food stalls caters to diverse tastes and allows for convenient, quick, and healthy meals. With the government’s role in supporting hawker centers, the model works seamlessly in Singapore’s urban environment.

In India, however, there are significant differences in both food culture and economic factors. Dining out in India is still an occasional luxury for most people, and even eating street food is considered an indulgence, not just for the price but also for concerns about the hygiene of preparation and serving. Home-cooked meals are always considered much healthier and economical; such meals are usually also advised by dieticians and medical practitioners in India.

The only Indians who eat out regularly are those whose jobs leave them with absolutely no time to cook anything at home, and such consumers usually try to find the cheaper places to eat, not always very mindful of the quality of ingredients and the cleanliness of the food stall. Given the geographical and population size of India, effective regulation of hawker stalls is next to impossible, though guidelines do exist.

Can you really eat out to help out the economy?

The assertion by Nikhil Kamath that promoting a culture of eating out in India would have a beneficial economic impact on the restaurant industry echoes the post-pandemic “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme floated by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak.

The “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme, launched in August 2020, was launched to stimulate the pandemic-hit restaurant industry in the United Kingdom. Diners were given a government-backed 50 per cent discount on meals and soft drinks in pubs and restaurants (up to GBP 10 each) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

It was believed that the scheme would keep pub and restaurant businesses alive and prevent job losses. The discount would encourage people to go out and spend money in the local economy, shored up by government support. The “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme was among measures such as tax cuts and small business grants.

There have been varied views on how much this scheme contributed to stimulating the local economies. A BBC report in December 2023 quoted UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls as saying that the scheme launched by Rishi Sunak was a “significant boost for the sector when it needed it the most”.

However, a study by authors from the London School of Economics said that economic benefits were “transitory” and that the discounted eating-out programme “failed to encourage people to go out for other purposes and to eat out after the discount ended”.