India’s Dancing Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, who is currently seen in Laughter Chefs, feels food is truly a medicine, and that’s why it’s important to maintain a perfect balance in one’s life when it comes to eating habits. He believes it is important to choose foods with great nutritional value and have well-balanced meals.
Speaking on the occasion of National Nutrition Week that is observed from September 1 to September 7, he said, “If you’re engaging in regular physical activity, your meals should be adjusted accordingly. Food is very, very important. You should eat according to your lifestyle. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you need to be very careful—avoid fatty or fried foods. But if you are an athlete or do intense exercise and weight training, you can indulge a bit, but still with caution, making sure you’re getting the right nutrition for your level of training.”
“Otherwise, maintaining physical fitness will be very difficult. You must consider food as nutrition and medicine because that is what truly matters. If you keep this in mind, you’ll be on the right track,” he added.
Chef Harpal owns many restaurants, oversees the opening of the new ones, and organizes food festivals across different locations. And while doing so, he indulges in a lot of food tasting. During these times, he understands the need to maintain a fitness regime to stay in top shape. “I maintain a great exercise routine, especially during these busy periods. I go to the gym in the morning, jog, and do weight training. Once the restaurant openings or food festival schedules are over, I return home to a simpler diet.”
“I eat food with less oil, boiled vegetables, and khichdi. At that time, I switched back to foods that are low in fat, light, and without sugar. This helps me stay in shape. For me, it’s very important to be mindful of what I eat and how I balance my life. Jogging is a must for me because it gives me that aerobic feeling, keeps me active, and makes me feel alive,” he added. He is careful of how he looks on screen and how he balances his life to stay in shape. “When I’m shooting, I usually don’t eat much—just a meal in the morning, and that’s about it. I rarely indulge in food throughout the day because it makes me feel lethargic. Instead, I rely on fluids or green tea while shooting. Even before my shoots, I cut down on my food intake to manage myself better,” he said.
“I do maintain a certain diet, avoiding fried foods and sugar and focusing more on fresh fruits and vegetables. When I’m at home or even outside, I prefer simple, home-style food like dal, baingan bharta, and other similar dishes. I really enjoy eating this kind of food,” he added.
Chef Harpal believes that public figures have a responsibility to promote healthy living because people look up to them as idols and fitness icons. “They are followed by millions, so it’s crucial that they share the right information and encourage healthy food choices. When people view public figures as role models, they trust that what they do is right, and they will follow their example closely. That’s why it’s important for them to promote things that are genuinely healthy and balanced,” he said.
“However, it’s also true that sometimes public figures might not always display diligence in their own practices. They might indulge occasionally, but they usually get back in shape through yoga, exercise, gym training, or rigorous workouts under the guidance of a trainer. On the other hand, when a regular person indulges, they might not follow up with the same level of intense training, which could lead to an imbalance. This is why it’s important for public figures to not only indulge responsibly but also to balance it with rigorous training under supervision. They should be mindful of the example they set, as they are seen as icons and should promote a healthy lifestyle across the country, knowing that many people look up to them as role models,” he shared.
