Samosas and jalebis have long been the heartbeat of Indian street food culture. But the recent directive by the Union Health Ministry to display statutory warnings about their fat and sugar content has sparked a debate. Many food lovers are questioning whether enjoying these snacks occasionally can truly be compared to the risks of smoking.
What happens when you eat them often?
Eating deep-fried and sugar-loaded snacks regularly does more harm than most people realise. Samosas are typically fried in refined oils rich in trans fats, which increase LDL ('bad') cholesterol and lower HDL ('good') cholesterol. Over time, this elevates the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Subrat Akhoury, Cardiologist & Head, Asian Hospital said, “Completely eliminating traditional snacks like samosa and jalebi may not be realistic or even necessary, but mindful moderation is crucial. Eating them once a week may not seem harmful but when combined with other processed and deep-fried foods in a typical urban diet, it contributes to a cumulative load of trans fats, refined sugars, and excess calories."
Is once a week too much?
While moderation is key, even weekly indulgence can be problematic if paired with a sedentary lifestyle and other unhealthy eating habits. A single serving of samosa or jalebi often exceeds recommended daily limits of fat and sugar. Over months and years, these 'small' treats add up.
"Over time, this can increase the risk of obesity, fatty liver, insulin resistance, and early-onset diabetes, especially in young adults and millennials. These foods offer little nutritional value and often displace healthier choices. Warning labels are a step in the right direction they can prompt people to think twice before normalising such indulgences as everyday snacks," Dr. Subrat Akhoury shared.
Will warnings change behaviours?
While statutory warnings can raise awareness, cultural habits are hard to break. For real change, people must understand the long-term health costs and embrace balanced diets, saving these iconic treats for rare occasions rather than weekly indulgences.
"The real issue is not just with samosas or jalebis, but the larger pattern of highly processed eating, including packaged snacks marketed as ‘healthy.’ Behaviour change won’t happen overnight, but awareness is the first step toward better choices,” the doctor added.
