Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for his strict diet and fitness routine. In various podcast conversations and interviews, the 75-year-old leader has often highlighted his preference for homemade food and his past habit of cooking his own meals. In a recent YouTube interview with Nikhil Kamath, the Prime Minister discussed his relationship with restaurant food and his approach to eating during foreign tours.
What Did PM Modi Say?
In conversation with Nikhil Kamath, PM Modi stated, "I am not a food lover. I eat whatever is served in the country I go to with utmost humbleness. But my bad luck is that if you take me to a restaurant today and give me a menu and tell me to select, I won't be able to do it."
Recalling his early days in Indian politics, he added, "Earlier, when I used to work in an organization, Arun Jaitley was a food lover. He knew all the good restaurants and cities in India. He was an encyclopedia. So, when we used to go out, we used to eat together in a restaurant, I would always tell Arun Ji, please order."
When asked about his preferences, the Prime Minister said, "Today, if someone gives me a menu and tells me to select, I won't be able to do it. Because the names that I read and the dishes are the same, I don't know. There is no tendency. So, I don't understand much. All I want is vegetarian food."
PM Modi's Love for Nuts
At a rally for the release of the 19th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) in Bihar, PM Modi revealed that he eats the superfood Makhana (foxnut) "at least 300 out of 365 days." He said, "Now Makhana has become a staple part of breakfast in cities across the country. Speaking personally, I eat makhana at least 300 out of 365 days a year. It is a superfood that we must now take to global markets. That's why, in this year's budget, the government has announced the formation of a Makhana Board for the benefit of makhana farmers."
Love for Homemade Sabudana Khichdi
PM Modi is also a fan of Sabudana Khichdi. According to a PTI report from June 2022, he even taught the art of making Sabudana khichdi to Seema Sharma, wife of local BJP leader Deepak Sharma. It is reported that when she cooked khichdi for Prime Minister Modi, it did not meet his expectations. He then showed her how to cook the dish. The report clarifies that in 1997, Narendra Modi was staying at the Peterhoff Hotel during the second Navratras, when he called upon Deepak Sharma's wife to cook the khichdi for him. Since then, she has been making khichdi the way Narendra Modi taught her.
Moringa and PM Modi
In a reel video on his Instagram, PM Modi mentioned his love for Moringa Paratha, which he enjoys quite often. It is said that moringa helps regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity, and regular consumption of the leaves may help manage diabetes and prevent sudden energy crashes.
Importance of Fasting in Modi's Life
In a podcast with Lex Fridman, he opened up about his fitness routine and daily food habits. Stressing the importance of fasting, he said that fasting "never slows me down." PM Modi added, "I work just as much as usual. Sometimes, I even work more. And another fascinating thing I've noticed is that when I need to express my thoughts, I'm amazed at where they come from and how they flow. It's truly an incredible experience. Fasting for me is devotion, fasting for me is self-discipline."
One Meal a Day
During the podcast, he also mentioned the tradition of Chaturmas and how the season defines his food habits and fitness routine. PM Modi said that he eats only a single meal within 24 hours between mid-June and November. He added, "For about four to four and a half months, I follow this tradition of eating only once in 24 hours."
