Telugu actor Mahesh Babu, who recently turned 51, doesn’t eat curd rice, according to recent Indian media reports. He also avoids bread and doesn’t eat burgers and adds that it has been a long time since he stopped consuming those foods.
Curd rice or yogurt rice - well known as thayir sadam, bagalabath or dahi bhat - is an Indian comfort food with rice and yogurt as the base and tempered with mustard seeds, urad dal (black gram), chana dal (split chickpeas), green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves fried briefly in oil or ghee.
Often paired with spicy mango or lime pickle (Achar), mor milagai (sun-dried chilies fried in oil) and crispy papadums, the soothing dish is traditionally served at the end of a South Indian meal because it cools the palate and aids digestion after eating spicy dishes.
But how healthy is the dish really?
Dietician Amreen Sheikh, chief dietitian, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, told The Indian Express that curd rice wasn’t unhealthy because it contains both rice and curd. On the contrary, curd can supply protein, calcium, and helpful bacteria that aid digestion. “The issue rather lies in the quantity, the kind of rice used and the other ingredients that are included in the dish,” said Ms. Amreen.
Nevertheless, exceptions are those who are lactose intolerant, allergic to milk protein, or have certain digestive sensitivities which may result in bloating, discomfort, or other symptoms after consuming dairy. “In these situations, it may be suitable to avoid or alter one’s dairy intake,” said Ms. Amreen.
She also stressed that curd rice made with polished white rice might not be very filling and could give a fairly high carbohydrate intake for someone who is trying to manage their weight or blood sugar. “However, this does not mean that one has to avoid curd rice completely; it can be made more balanced by reducing the amount of rice and by adding vegetables, seeds or a protein-rich side dish,” she added.
While actor Mahesh Babu has his own dietary approach and fitness objectives, the diet that is suitable for an actor leading a highly organised lifestyle need not be necessary for all people,” she explained.
