Interview: Chef Ranveer Brar shares fitness secrets and special diet plans on his new app

Whether it’s through his television shows like Health Bhi Taste Bhi or his YouTube series, culinary connoisseur Ranveer Brar has always advocated eating healthy. The Lucknow-born chef has now launched his application, Chef Ranveer Brar, that gives foodies fitness tips and diet plans, along with recipes of his signature dishes. “We’ve essentially picked recipes that I have cooked — be it in my restaurants, my career, in my TV-shows or in my home. The idea was to not just create a repository for recipes but to make it a one-stop kitchen-buddy and holistic food guide as well,” shares the 41-year-old, who tells us more about the application and the secret to his fitness. Excerpts:

What was the idea behind creating the application?
I’ve always shared my experiences around food with the world at large, be it in my pop-ups, on social media or TV shows. It’s as important to me as interpreting those experiences on the plate. With the focus shifting to digital space, an app was indeed the next inevitable step.

How do you think technology and food blend together?
Food has gone digital like never before and they work great together. From checking out recipes, information on an ingredient, to ordering it online, everything is becoming more seamless on the phone. The idea is to make information and food accessible to all.

How did you curate the month-long diet plan?
The RB Diet Plan lists out a schedule for each day, suggesting the kind of food to be eaten at different intervals, which is based on what the body needs. The diet plan details the portion size and avoids processed foods. It’s about balanced eating rather than placing a restriction on eating.

Considering your hectic schedule, how do you make sure to eat healthy?
I’m mindful of what and how much I eat. Mostly, I nibble through small portions. I also make sure not to miss breakfast. I make it a point to work out where I can. I also practice Kalari regularly. It has been immensely helpful.

What are the key points to keep in mind on a regular day’s diet?
It’s interesting but our body actually knows what it needs and when. The trick is to be aware of that and give it what it needs. Eat what’s in season and available locally. With days getting hotter, eating plenty of fruits, salads, foods rich in fibre is best, while avoiding heavy, oily and spicy food. At the end of the day, the purpose of food is to provide nourishment and that’s what we need to plan around.