Dr Jitendra Singh Releases Book on Diets
A new book, “Smart Calories and Common Sense: An Evidence-Based Guide to Indian Diets,” was recently launched by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a Professor of Medicine & Diabetes. The book has been authored by Dr Anoop Misra, Senior Diabetologist at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi.
On this occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that while awareness about diet and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity is essential, equal attention must be given to checking the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the public domain. He said, “The diet cannot be reduced to generalised prescriptions or uniform charts. Each individual must understand and adapt according to their own body, lifestyle, and metabolic needs.”
According to him, diet is too important a subject to be left to any one group alone, emphasising that individuals must actively observe and learn from their own dietary responses over time.
Dr Narottam Puri, Advisor (Medical), Fortis Healthcare and Advisor (Health Services and MVT), FICCI, was also present as Guest of Honour.
The event brought together leading members of the medical and scientific community, including senior clinicians and experts in diabetes and nutrition.
Reflecting on evolving dietary trends, Dr Anoop Misra referred to changing scientific views over the years — from refined oils to traditional fats, and from sugar substitutes to natural alternatives — indicating that scientific understanding in nutrition continues to evolve. He believes that conclusions in dietary science are often based on population-level evidence and may not apply uniformly to every individual.
He also highlighted the importance of clinical judgment and patient interaction, recalling an earlier era where diagnosis depended significantly on detailed history-taking and observation. He noted that excessive reliance on reports and standardised prescriptions may sometimes overlook individual variations.
Dr Anoop Misra cautioned against the growing commercialisation in healthcare and diet advisory practices, warning that attractive or overly complex diet plans often gain popularity despite lacking practical relevance. In this context, he reiterated the need for balanced, informed, and evidence-based guidance. He also noted the importance of meal distribution alongside quality and quantity, stating that dietary timing and portioning remain underemphasised in common practice.
The Union Minister shared examples to illustrate how lifestyle, habits, and individual body responses play a decisive role in determining suitable dietary patterns. The Minister concluded by stating that there is no single ideal diet applicable to all, and individuals must develop awareness through observation, moderation, and informed choices, while remaining cautious of unverified claims and trends.