Protein deficiency doesn’t just harm individuals — it quietly drains corporate India. In a knowledge-driven economy where productivity depends on mental agility, nutrition is no trivial issue.
By Chandran Iyer
On a Monday morning in Bengaluru’s IT corridor, 42-year-old software architect Raghav steps out of a meeting and reaches for his “breakfast” — a burger, fries, and a large cola. He gulps them down in ten minutes, eyes fixed on the code streaming across his laptop. By afternoon, he feels exhausted, irritable, and foggy-headed. He blames long hours and deadlines, rarely suspecting the real culprit — his diet.
Across the country in Mumbai, Meera Kapoor, a 38-year-old CEO, prides herself on efficiency. Her days begin at dawn and stretch late into the night. Three cups of coffee, a protein bar picked up at a conference, two hurried toasts between Zoom calls, and a late-night pasta — that’s her daily routine. Her stomach feels full; her body is not nourished.
Raghav and Meera are not outliers. They represent a fast-growing section of India’s urban workforce — well-fed, yet undernourished. They are part of the country’s silent epidemic: protein deficiency.
The Hidden Hunger in India’s Metros
India’s big cities — Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune — appear prosperous from the outside. Cafés are crowded, restaurants packed, and food-delivery apps buzzing with orders. Yet behind this abundance lies a lesser-known crisis: millions of urban Indians are eating more than ever, but not eating right.
Unlike hunger, protein deficiency is invisible. It doesn’t show up as an empty plate, but as low energy, weak immunity, irritability, poor concentration, and early fatigue. It’s the kind of malnutrition that hides behind crisp formal wear, high-performing job titles, and corner offices.
Doctors say it’s becoming increasingly common among working professionals who eat frequently but without nutritional intention — skipping breakfast for a latte, grabbing quick carbs between meetings, and ending the day with heavy, comforting, low-protein meals. The result: a full stomach but a protein-starved body.
The Carbohydrate Trap
The average Indian consumes just about 47 grams of protein a day, far below recommended levels. In cities, where convenience dictates food choices, the intake is even lower.
“A large percentage of Indians are protein deficient. Many follow a predominantly vegetarian diet, and even those who are non-vegetarian do not consume protein-rich foods regularly,” says Mrs. Medha Patwardhan, Senior Dietician.
Urban diets lean heavily on refined carbohydrates — rolls, noodles, rice, pav bhaji, pizzas, fried snacks, sugary beverages. Protein-rich foods, whether animal or plant-based, get sidelined. For many professionals, caffeine and sugar have become quick substitutes for real energy.
The impact shows: afternoon fatigue, frequent cravings, sluggish focus — often mistaken for burnout, but rooted in biochemical imbalance.
The Economic Cost of Poor Nutrition
Protein deficiency doesn’t just harm individuals — it quietly drains corporate India. In a knowledge-driven economy where productivity depends on mental agility, nutrition is no trivial issue.
A protein-deficient workforce is a slow workforce. Research shows that low protein intake leads to poor concentration, impaired decision-making, reduced immunity, more sick days, and slower recovery from fatigue.
“The Indian corporate world talks a lot about mental wellness but rarely about nutritional wellness,” says Ravi Natarajan, a Bengaluru-based HR head. “You can’t expect high performance from a body running on caffeine and carbohydrates.”
A National Mission: Hello Proteins
At the forefront of addressing this crisis is Mr. O.P. Singh, Managing Director, Huvepharma SEA India, who has embarked on a mission to transform India’s relationship with protein. His vision goes beyond business; it is a national call to action — to recognise protein as a fundamental driver of health, productivity, and economic resilience.
To bring this vision alive, Singh is spearheading a countrywide initiative called “Hello Proteins”. The movement aims to spark conversations, debunk myths, and encourage Indians to consciously incorporate more protein into daily diets.
“The initiative is designed to reach diverse segments — from urban professionals and students to homemakers and fitness enthusiasts — by simplifying scientific information and converting it into practical, culturally relevant advice,” Singh explains. Supported by expert insights, public-awareness campaigns, and collaborations with nutritionists, Hello Proteins strives to make protein education both accessible and engaging.
The movement is expanding through digital content, community outreach, and partnerships with healthcare providers, food brands, and educational institutions. “With Hello Proteins, we hope to catalyse lasting behavioural change — helping millions shift from carbohydrate-heavy patterns to balanced, protein-rich habits that build stronger bodies, sharper minds, and a more resilient nation,” Singh says.
He believes nutrition is inseparable from progress. “Nutrition, sustainability and national enrichment go hand in hand. Every unit of protein is a unit of national wealth. When a country achieves protein sufficiency, it strengthens not just its people — but its prosperity.”
Expanding on his philosophy, Singh argues that protein is not merely a dietary component but a strategic resource. Healthier children learn better. Healthier adults work better. Healthy communities power economies. In Singh’s vision, India’s journey toward becoming a stronger nation begins with a stronger plate.
Dr. Avinash Bhondwe, General Physician and Past President of the Indian Medical Association, explains:“In India, a vast majority of people suffer from protein deficiency. Our daily meals are heavily dominated by carbohydrates and fats—rotis, chapatis, rice, and other staples often prepared with generous amounts of ghee and oil. What’s missing from the plate is adequate protein, which is the fundamental building block for growth, repair, and strong immunity. Without sufficient protein, the body’s ability to fight infections weakens, making Indians far more susceptible to illnesses. Addressing this nutritional gap is critical if we want to build a healthier, more resilient population.”
Why Protein Matters
Protein is not a fitness fad — it is the building block of life. Every cell, enzyme, muscle fibre and hormone depends on it. It repairs tissues, builds immunity, supports cognitive function, and provides sustained energy.
Every line of code, every boardroom presentation, every business negotiation — all require a body fueled by adequate protein. When protein falls short, energy dips, clarity blurs, and long-term health deteriorates.
While India is obsessed with expensive health supplements, the simplest answers lie in affordable, accessible foods: eggs and chicken.
A single egg provides high-quality, complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. A serving of chicken offers nearly 27 grams of lean protein — one of the most efficient and economical sources available.
Yet myths persist. Many avoid eggs fearing cholesterol; others label chicken “unhealthy.” Nutritionists call these fears outdated.
“Moderate egg and chicken consumption is perfectly safe,” says Dr. Pooja Menon, a Delhi-based dietician. “They remain among the cleanest and most complete protein sources.”
For vegetarians, paneer, lentils, dals, soy, and millets offer strong alternatives — though animal proteins remain the most complete sources.
Dietician Mrs. Patwardhan adds that traditional Indian diets already offer abundant natural protein — if only we return to them. Eggs are accessible and affordable. Milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer, and cheese are excellent protein sources. Even adding milk powder to recipes can significantly boost protein content. Fermented dairy like curd acts as a natural probiotic, supporting gut health, digestion, and immunity.
India’s Poultry Ecosystem: A Backbone of Nutrition
Behind every egg and chicken dish is an ecosystem connecting producers, processors, and consumers.
Producers — poultry farmers — ensure healthy, well-fed flocks through climate-controlled sheds, automated systems, and precision nutrition. Processors maintain hygiene, safety, and packaging standards that bring clean, ready-to-cook products to customers. Consumers, increasingly conscious of hygiene and traceability, are driving demand for safer, processed poultry.
“The Indian poultry sector is one of the most well-organised and efficiently managed segments of our food industry,” says Dr. Mahesh Shivankar, Vice President – Poultry, Japfa India.
Valued at over ₹2 lakh crore, the sector matches global benchmarks in productivity and operational excellence. India now ranks third globally in egg production and fourth in chicken production — a testament to the dedication of farmers, integrators, and industry stakeholders working to feed a growing population.
The Way Forward: Building a Stronger, Sharper India
Government nutrition programs like Mid-Day Meals and Anganwadi centres have improved protein intake among children. But working adults — the backbone of the economy — remain outside most nutrition policies.
Here, corporate India has a crucial role to play.
Company cafeterias can serve balanced, protein-rich meals. HR teams can organise nutrition-literacy sessions. Food-delivery platforms can highlight healthier, protein-forward options. Wellness programs can move beyond gym memberships to include dietary education.
A healthier workforce isn’t merely a welfare goal — it is a business advantage.
Urban India drives the nation’s economic engine. Its coders, creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs carry the weight of national growth. But no country can rise on the shoulders of an undernourished workforce.
Protein is not a luxury; it is the fuel of human potential. India’s hidden hunger may not show on the streets, but it reveals itself in its fatigue, its reduced productivity, and its rising lifestyle disorders.
The solution is simple and affordable. It begins on the plate — perhaps with something as small as an egg, as familiar as a bowl of dal, or as comforting as a cup of curd.
In a fast-paced urban world, protein is strength — and a well-nourished India is a stronger, sharper, and more productive India.