Bollywood actress Aditi Rao Hydari recently offered a candid glimpse into her approach to health, fitness, and diet, balancing discipline with indulgence. In an interview, she shared details about her meal timings, favourite foods, and workout philosophy, emphasising the importance of happiness in one's wellness journey.
Hydari's Flexible Fitness and Food Philosophy
Aditi Rao Hydari, known for her roles in films like The Girl On The Train, admitted that while she aims for an early dinner, it doesn't always go as planned. "I should have my last meal at 6.30-7 pm. But that rarely happens," she confessed. However, she makes a conscious effort to keep her evening meals light, occasionally indulging in dishes like fish curry, prawn curry, or nihari.
Her daily routine is similarly adaptable. Describing herself as an "early riser" who can transform into a "night owl" when work demands, Hydari expressed a desire to be more consistent with her workouts. "I do love doing yoga, and I dance. But it really doesn't happen every day. I can't do the same workout every day. I find it really boring. Every day, I need something different," she explained to Pinkvilla.
A Peek Into Her Daily Diet and Soul Food
Hydari's diet is a mix of traditional favourites and protein-focused meals. For breakfast, she loves South Indian staples like idlis. She sometimes includes eggs for their nutritional value. Lunch is typically vegetarian, consisting of items like quinoa, dal, chawal, and sabzi. Her go-to snack is makhana (fox nuts).
Dinner is where she prioritises protein, opting for fish, soup, chicken cutlets, or kebabs. The cornerstone of her eating philosophy, however, is listening to her cravings. "I feel that your soul needs to be happy...so if I want to have chocolate or pani puri, I will," she stated, rejecting extreme dietary restrictions.
Expert Weighs In: The Science Behind Light Dinners
Consultant dietitian Garima Goyal elaborated on the benefits of Hydari's preference for lighter evening meals, a practice many find challenging. Goyal explained that choosing an easily digestible meal in the evening helps the body transition from high-energy daytime functions to restorative nighttime modes.
"When a person eats heavily late at night, the digestive system remains on, potentially compromising sleep quality, metabolic balance, and cellular repair processes," Goyal said. A lighter dinner typically means fewer refined carbs and heavy fats, and more vegetables or lean protein. This reduces post-meal insulin spikes, minimises gastrointestinal load, and enhances readiness for sleep.
Goyal added that this habit likely supports Hydari's fitness routine, recovery, and skin health goals, as digestion slows overnight. Consistently having lighter meals can enhance digestion, improve sleep, support healthy body composition, and make one's overall health journey more sustainable.
While Hydari's approach showcases a balanced and realistic view of wellness, experts always recommend consulting a health practitioner before making significant changes to one's diet or fitness routine.
