Curd rice is comfort food for millions across India. For Mahesh Babu, however, it is firmly off the menu. The Telugu actor has previously revealed that he avoids dairy and does not eat foods such as curd rice, bread and burgers. His comments have resurfaced online, prompting a familiar question: if someone known for his fitness avoids curd rice, should everyone else do the same? The short answer is no.
Curd Rice Health Benefits
There is no general medical reason for healthy people who tolerate dairy to eliminate curd rice from their diet. In fact, curd can provide protein, calcium and beneficial bacteria, while rice supplies carbohydrates that the body uses for energy. Dairy products including yoghurt are also recognised as useful sources of protein and calcium in a balanced diet. The more important question is how much you eat, what kind of rice you use and what goes into the bowl.
Dietitian Amreen Sheikh, chief dietitian at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, has pointed out that the concern with curd rice is not the dish itself but factors such as portion size, the type of rice and additional ingredients. A large serving made predominantly with polished white rice can deliver a substantial carbohydrate load without keeping you full for very long. This can matter particularly for people trying to manage their weight or blood sugar. That does not mean you need to ban the dish.
A smarter bowl could simply mean using a smaller quantity of rice and adding vegetables, seeds or a protein-rich accompaniment. Fresh curd can add protein and calcium, while vegetables bring fibre and micronutrients. The result is a more balanced meal than a large bowl of rice and curd eaten on its own.
The Exception
There is, however, one important exception: dairy does not suit everyone. People with lactose intolerance may experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea or other digestive symptoms after consuming lactose-containing foods, including yoghurt. The severity can vary, and some people can tolerate smaller quantities rather than eliminating dairy completely.
People with a milk-protein allergy are a different category altogether and may need to avoid dairy under medical guidance. Those with ongoing digestive symptoms should also avoid diagnosing themselves based on a celebrity’s diet. And there is another misconception worth clearing up. Curd rice is not automatically ‘bad’ because it is eaten at night, nor does avoiding it guarantee better skin, slower ageing or a healthier gut. Claims linking Mahesh Babu’s youthful appearance directly to avoiding curd rice go beyond what the available evidence establishes. His diet is a personal choice shaped by his own lifestyle and fitness goals, not a universal prescription.
So, if curd rice leaves you feeling comfortable and fits into your overall diet, there is little reason to give it up simply because Mahesh Babu does. The better lesson from his food choices may be simpler: know what works for your body, watch your portions and build the whole meal, not just one food, around your health goals.