Hungry for change

He attributes the reason to the superficiality of youth. “For them,vanity or looks are very important. Social cliques are formed based on looks. Also,youngsters today are bombarded with media images of the junk-food effects in countries like USA. That is something they want to avoid at all costs.”

For Vivek Thomas,a psychology student at St Xavier’s College,eating healthy was something that gradually grew on him. “Once you start following a diet,it becomes as much a habit as changing clothes daily. Even when I’m vacationing with my parents,I don’t veer from my diet. The only requirement I have is that we stay in a hotel with a gym so I don’t have to miss any workout sessions.”

For his classmate Malini Pillai,healthy eating is a relatively new phenomenon. “I have always been conscious of what I eat but it’s only since last year that I started following a strict eating regimen,” she says. “Now I make sure that my daily food selection includes bread,protein foods and other whole grain products apart from fruits,vegetables and dairy products.”

Chef Jaydeep Mukherjee of Indigo Café feels the trend is more prominent among teenage girls. “Young women are very savvy today. They know what’s good and what’s bad for them. Guys are not so health-conscious. There is an essential attachment between a guy and a cheese burger that is hard to break.”

For those of you eager to join the health food brigade,here are some food trends that could shape the future of Generation Next.

Organics: When organic ketchup appears on the shelves of your local supermarket,you know that this is a trend that is here to stay

Vegetarianism: If that sizzling piece of Beef Teriyaki has you screwing your nose in distaste,no need to hide your flinch from your friends. There is such a thing as vegetarian haute cuisine which might be right up your alley

Raw food: With restaurants like Mocha Mojo and Pure in Taj Land’s End catering to the rising demand for raw food,there are those who dig into finely sliced raw beef or a raw garden lasagna with raw,undisguised passion.