Forget red flags. Rujuta Diwekar’s ‘dal-chawal’ rule is her ultimate dating advice

Looking for dating advice? Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar thinks it’s time we stop obsessing over red flags and start focusing on something far more practical — dal and chawal. In a video that’s gone viral, she explained why a man’s ability to make a simple plate of rice and lentils could reveal more about his suitability as a partner than most of the things we stress about in relationships.

Rujuta’s point is simple: if a guy can’t even whip up basic dal-chawal, maybe you shouldn’t be dating him, let alone thinking of marriage. For her, it’s not about culinary skills but about something deeper — load sharing. She believes the kitchen is a mirror of how responsibilities are divided in a relationship.

She explained it with a witty analogy. Just like load shedding in electricity means long power cuts, load shedding in the kitchen happens when one person refuses to pitch in. The result? More food ordered from outside, unhealthy eating habits, and eventually, more weight gain.




According to Rujuta, the solution is as traditional as it gets: cook often, eat often, and break away from the idea that cooking is only a woman’s job. A wholesome meal, she says, should be something both partners enjoy making and sharing together — because a happy kitchen means a healthier, happier relationship.

She captioned her video with a cheeky reminder that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym, and stressed that cooking beats crunches any day.

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Internet reacts

The internet had plenty to say. Many agreed with her, pointing out that cooking isn’t just about gender roles but about being independent and capable of handling basic survival skills. Some felt that while her dal-chawal analogy was fun, the bigger takeaway was that load sharing should happen across all aspects of a relationship, not just in the kitchen. Others shared how in their own homes, everyone — even kids — are taught to handle simple meals like eggs, toast, or smoothies, proving that self-sufficiency goes a long way.