Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Americans consume nearly twice the daily calories of many Indians—but that doesn’t mean they’re healthier. In fact, portion size alone may be the U.S.'s biggest nutritional downfall.
Urban India is now mimicking Western eating patterns—cue pizza, cola, and chips on every corner. The result? A junk food epidemic that’s erasing India’s traditional health edge.
The average Indian diet is plant-heavy—but also protein-light. While Americans overeat meat, many Indians can’t afford enough of it. Malnutrition meets meat overload.
The U.S. leads the world in obesity (45% of adults), while India’s rates are lower—except among urban elites. Obesity is now a rising status symbol in India, not just a health threat.
Both countries face a diabetes crisis (~11% prevalence), but Indians develop it younger, at lower weights. Experts call this the “thin-fat” Indian syndrome—skinny outside, metabolic chaos inside.
Over 70% of American daily calories come from ultra-processed food. India’s climbing fast—but still lags behind in food engineering and shelf-life trickery. For now.
Americans live longer on average—but face more years battling diet-related illness. Indians die younger, but often from preventable or nutrition-linked causes.
Despite the calorie overload, most Americans lack key nutrients. In India, over half the population can’t afford a balanced diet. Different paths, same deficiency.
Neither India nor the U.S. is a model for healthy eating—one overeats, the other undereats. The only winner? Ultra-processed food companies cashing in on both sides of the globe.