Half-Plate, Full Impact: Radhika Gupta's Strategy to Combat Obesity and Food Waste
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Synopsis
Edelweiss Mutual Funds CEO Radhika Gupta proposes a solution to India's obesity problem by advocating for half-plate options in restaurants. This initiative aims to promote moderation, minimize food waste, and potentially enhance restaurant revenues.
Key Takeaways
- Half-plate options can combat obesity.
- Encourages moderation in eating habits.
- Reduces food wastage in restaurants.
- Potentially increases restaurant profitability.
- Highlights the urgency of addressing obesity.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) The CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Funds, Radhika Gupta, has put forth a pragmatic approach to address the escalating issue of obesity in India.
On the social media platform X, she urged restaurants to introduce ‘half-plate’ choices in their menus. This initiative, according to her, could facilitate moderate eating, diminish food wastage, and potentially increase restaurant profits.
"I am pleased that we are openly discussing obesity as a significant issue. It is essential," Gupta expressed. She emphasized the importance of the ongoing serious dialogue surrounding obesity in the nation.
"A fundamental recommendation I have for restaurants is to provide half-portion options for all meals. Many individuals prefer smaller portions but often finish their plates due to the cultural aversion towards wasting food," she explained.
“In situations where sharing isn’t feasible, particularly when dining alone, why not set the price of half meals slightly above 50% of the full portion if it’s financially viable? This approach would enable customers to enjoy smaller meals without generating waste or overspending," Gupta articulated.
Her remarks surfaced shortly after the Let’s Fix Our Food (LFOF) initiative, led by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, raised alarms about the deteriorating food environment in India.
The group reported that 24% of adolescents in the country are underweight, while over 1.7 crore children and teenagers are grappling with obesity.
Gupta’s suggestion has garnered support from numerous social media users as obesity continues to be a rising global concern.
Recent studies published in ‘The Lancet’ indicate that over 3.8 billion individuals – more than half of the adult population globally – may be overweight or obese by 2050.
In 2021, approximately 2.11 billion people were categorized as overweight or obese, with India positioned second globally, accounting for 18 crore individuals. China leads the list with over 40 crore obese individuals.
