Rubina Dilaik on eating ‘mareezon wala khaana’ at home: ‘When friends come over, we need to put extra…’

"We complained till 11-12th standard that we never got to drink aerated drinks. Now, we understand that value," said Rubina Dilaik

Rubina Dilaik on practising simple living (Photo: Rubina Dilaik/Instagram)

4 min readNew DelhiAug 21, 2025 10:30 AM IST First published on: Aug 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM IST

Rubina Dilaik, who is raising her twin daughters in Himachal Pradesh alongside her husband, Abhinav Shukla, has opened up about leading a simple life and setting an example for their children. “Till the time we can try, we will not give phones or tabs to our children. No chocolates, no chips, no toffees. They have not had their meetha (sweet),” said Dilaik in a conversation with model and actor Paras Chhabra on his podcast.

She added that the couple prefers to eat simple, home-cooked food, also known as ghar ka khaana. “Abhinav is a non-fussy eater. You can make him eat anything, simple home-cooked food. I am also very homely. I prefer ghar ka khaana. Hamara khaana saada banta hai. (Ours is simple food). In fact, when friends come over, we need to put extra salt and extra masalas because they tell us, yeh kya mareezon wala khaana khaate ho…why do you eat like patients? So, we say, if by simple food, we can spend a good life, that’s what we are giving to our kids as well,” said Dilaik, 37.

Stressing that it is something that has been practised through generations, the actor said: “This is what our parents gave to us. Our parents never promoted the idea of junk food, aerated drinks, or eating a sandwich, a burger, or chips outside. We never got any pocket money for that. We used to get a scolding if they found out that we ate outside. So, we never ate. So, that’s how we have been brought up, and we thank our parents now. We had complaints till 11-12th standard that we never got to drink aerated drinks. Now, we understand that value. We were given a solid foundation in healthy eating habits. I don’t have any chocolate or sweet cravings. Whatever you feed the child, they associate food with that.”

Why is simple, home-cooked food preferred for a good lifestyle?

Sonia Bakshi, nutritionist and founder of DtF, said it is easier for the body to digest simple, home-cooked food with minimal or negligible spices. “When you cook food with less oil and spices, the complex compounds found in the food break down into simpler compounds, making it easier to digest. This helps meet the body’s energy requirements and needs, such as weight management. This is also low in calories and high in nutrients. There is more fibre that can keep you full for longer,” said Bakshi, adding that it keeps the body away from infections, and improves one’s immunity.

She also mentioned that it helps improve the body’s skin texture, and it hydrates the skin.

Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Freepik)

Bakshi noted that such food can help against the buildup of acidity, which can affect the gut. “There will be less acid buildup in the stomach. Food is also easy to digest, which means it stays in your stomach for a short time, helping to reduce acid secretion,” said Bakshi.

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Such foods can help create a feeling of well-being, such that one may find oneself feeling energised.

“When you eat a meal that is light and easy for your body to digest, you will feel more energetic,” said Bakshi.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.