Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Aug 19: For many teenagers in Kashmir, a school day can begin with tea and bread, continue with a hurried lunch and end with a meal dominated by rice and vegetables. What may be missing from that routine is enough protein—the nutrient needed for growth, muscles, enzymes and hormones.
Nutrition experts say adolescence is a particularly important period for adequate nutrition because the body undergoes rapid physical growth. The World Health Organization notes that protein needs can be higher during adolescence, while India’s 2024 dietary guidance from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition includes pulses, beans, milk or curd, nuts and other protein sources as part of a balanced diet.
There is no reliable recent survey establishing the prevalence of protein deficiency specifically among adolescents in Kashmir, so experts caution against describing the entire adolescent population as protein-deficient. However, Indian nutrition research has found inadequate nutrient intake among adolescents in some populations, including protein intake below recommended levels in a 2024 study of government-school adolescents in Lucknow.
“Adolescence is not simply another stage of childhood. It is a period of rapid growth, and the quality of the diet matters greatly,” said Dr. Saba Rehman, Consultant Nutritionist. “A diet that provides enough calories but lacks adequate protein and other nutrients may not fully support healthy growth.”
Doctors say the problem can sometimes be hidden. A teenager may appear healthy while having a diet that lacks variety. Frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates, packaged snacks and sugary drinks can also displace more nutritious foods.
“We often focus on whether a child has eaten enough food, but we should also ask what that food contains,” said Dr. Parveez Ahmad, Consultant Paediatrician. “Growing adolescents need balanced meals containing protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other essential nutrients.”
For families, improving protein intake does not necessarily mean expensive food. Nutritionists point to locally available options such as dal, rajma, beans, milk, curd, eggs, nuts and seeds, along with meat and fish for families who consume them.
A student from Srinagar, Amaan Ahmad, 17, said his eating habits changed after he started playing sports. “Earlier I would leave for school after tea and eat whatever was available later. Once I started training, I realised that my meals also needed to improve.”
Nutritionists say adolescents involved in sports may have particularly high nutritional demands, but excessive use of protein powders is not a substitute for a balanced diet. The WHO also cautions that excessive protein intake can place additional metabolic demands on the body.
“Teenagers are increasingly influenced by fitness videos and social media,” said Dr. Nusrat Jan, Clinical Nutritionist. “Some become obsessed with protein supplements while ignoring ordinary foods that can provide good-quality protein.”
Experts say schools can also play a role by promoting healthier meals and nutrition awareness. UNICEF has highlighted adolescent nutrition as an important public-health priority in India, including nutrition education and health services for adolescents.
The issue, doctors say, is ultimately not about putting more protein on every plate, but ensuring that teenagers receive a balanced and varied diet during one of the most important growth periods of their lives. For Kashmir’s adolescents, the nutritional question may therefore be a simple one, not just “Have you eaten?” but “What did you eat?”
