India Food Stats

Fibre is essential for digestive health but often overlooked. Adequate fibre intake is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. Fiber can act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. The daily fibre requirement for a healthy diet can vary based on age, gender, and overall health status.  According to ICMR NIN , about 15g/1000 kcal and 30g/2000 kcal are considered as safe intake for adults. The American Heart Association recommends 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day from food, not supplements. A general rule of thumb is ~25% soluble to 75% insoluble fiber for balanced benefits.   Soluble fiber, found in foods like oats and beans, binds with cholesterol in the digestive system, helping to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body. Insoluble fibre (e.g., wheat bran, lentils, almonds, vegetables) helps with constipation and stool bulk. Increasing overall intake from diverse plants delivers both types naturally. Fibe...

I analyzed 55 products (with known nutrition facts as of April 24, 2024) in the Breakfast Cereals category of the India database of Open Food Facts - the 'Wikipedia of food'. The data, which has been obtained from Open Food Facts and subsequently cleaned, is available on GitHub in CSV format . You can also view that curated dataset with the Flat Viewer tool .  Here are my findings and fun facts I discovered - * Flattened rice flakes, commonly known as "poha" or "beaten rice," have long been a popular breakfast item in many regions of India. Traditionally sold loosely in retail stores, these rice flakes have recently made their way into branded breakfast cereal offerings, such as those by Tata Sampann. Poha is appreciated for its nutritional value, versatility, and ease of preparation, making it a staple in Indian households and an increasingly popular choice in the global breakfast cereal market. * Flattened rice flakes are produced by parboiling, rolling, ...