Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Saina Nehwal Shares the Desi Foods Behind Her Training Diet
Saina Nehwal talked about the foods she likes to eat.
She said she grew up eating Haryana-style meals, including aloo paratha, rajma and chole with rice.
She also likes saag and says ghee is important for her joints.
Nehwal said her training helps her use the energy from these filling foods.
Dietitians explained that aloo paratha gives energy but can be high in calories.
Eating it with curd or vegetables adds protein or fibre and may help slow digestion.
Some people, including those with weak digestion or IBS, may find heavy meals hard to digest.
Saina Nehwal said her daily diet includes Haryana-style foods she grew up eating, including aloo paratha, rajma, kadhi and chole with rice.
She named aloo paratha and saag among her favourite dishes and said ghee is important for joints.
Nehwal said she burns off the energy from rich foods through rigorous training.
Dietitians described the meals as sources of carbohydrates, protein and fats, while noting that aloo parathas can be high in calories.
Experts advised pairing aloo paratha with curd or vegetables; people with weak digestion or IBS may find heavy meals difficult to digest.
- Who
- Badminton player Saina Nehwal, her mother, and dietitians Deepalakshmi and Edwina Raj.
- What
- Nehwal described her traditional diet and experts discussed the foods’ nutritional qualities and considerations.
- When
- During a conversation with macrobiotic coach Dr Shilpa Arora; no date is stated.
- Where
- On Dr Shilpa Arora’s YouTube channel; Nehwal was born in Hisar, Haryana, and later moved to Hyderabad.
- Why
- Nehwal said the foods are part of what she grew up eating and that ghee is important for joints; she said rigorous training burns off the energy.
Potential benefits
Cautions and limitations
Ghee and traditional foods
Potential benefits
Nehwal values ghee and traditional meals; dietitians described ghee as a source of fats and discussed possible nutritional benefits.
Cautions and limitations
The article notes that aloo paratha can be calorie-dense and that heavy meals may be difficult for people with weak digestion or IBS.
Aloo paratha
Potential benefits
Its carbohydrates can provide quick energy, and the meal may keep someone full for a few hours.
Cautions and limitations
Eating it in excess may contribute to weight gain and it may raise blood sugar; pairing it with curd or vegetables can moderate digestion and blood-sugar effects.
- Athlete
- Saina Nehwal
- Foods mentioned
- Aloo paratha, saag, milk with almond oil, rajma, kadhi, and chole with rice
- Nehwal's view on ghee
- She said it is important for joints.
- Training
- Nehwal said rigorous training helps her burn off energy from rich foods.
- Dietitian's note on aloo paratha
- It is high in carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar; excess intake can contribute to weight gain because it is calorie-dense.
- Suggested accompaniments
- Curd or vegetables can add protein or fibre and may slow digestion.
- Digestive caution
- People with weak digestion or IBS may find heavy meals too filling.