Stop wasting money on packaged 'health foods': Kareena Kapoor’s dietician reveals the real foods that truly keep your body healthy

Kareena Kapoor’s nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar, has always championed the magic of home-cooked meals over packaged alternatives. Her latest Instagram video, featuring a playful 'This or That' game, is no different. While the choices may not seem glamorous, they come packed with centuries of wisdom and undeniable health benefits.

Rujuta makes her stance clear from the start: “It doesn’t matter whether it says #protein, #guthealth, #Omega3. Jitna packet khulta hai, utna pet phulta hai, the more packet food you eat, the higher the chances of becoming obese.” Her advice is simple: food made at home will always outrank anything that comes in a wrapper.

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Keto or Khichdi?

Unsurprisingly, she opts for khichdi. “Keto is a trend that is in today and out tomorrow. Khichdi is a legacy recipe that has lived for thousands of years and will continue to live long after we are gone,” she explains. Fun fact: khichdi is also Kareena Kapoor’s favourite comfort food, which she admits enjoying several times a week.

Almond Milk or Buffalo Milk?

Rujuta firmly sides with traditional milk. “Milk that goes bad if you don’t boil it on time, that’s the best kind of milk. Buffalo milk or cow milk any day,” she says. Research backs her up: both cow and buffalo milk are far more nutrient-dense than almond milk.

Protein Bar or Poha?

Here, there’s no debate. Poha wins hands down. “Jitna packet khulta hai, utna pet phulta hai. The stuff you make at home is infinitely healthier than any kind of bar,” she stresses. It’s a reminder that even when packaged foods market themselves as healthy, nothing beats a simple, home-prepared meal.

Rujuta has long spoken about the comfort and familiarity of traditional foods. In a previous video, she shared how eating dishes the body recognises, like khichdi, parathas, or idlis, has a calming effect on both the gut and the mind. “Our gut bacteria are inherited. They know and recognise foods that have been around for centuries. But when we eat something like a berry smoothie or avocado toast, it will soon be replaced by the next trend. Gut bacteria are never truly happy, no matter how much fibre or protein a dish claims to have.”

She emphasises balance: “This doesn’t mean you should avoid modern foods entirely. Explore and enjoy different cuisines, but make it occasional. Twenty per cent of your meals can be fashionable, while 80 per cent should always be home-cooked.”

In an age of health fads and trending diets, Rujuta Diwekar’s advice is refreshingly simple: honour tradition, cook at home, and let your gut and body enjoy the foods they truly recognise.