Vedaant Madhavan, 21, discusses his fitness routine; says ‘Indians need to fix their diet’

Indian freestyle swimmer Vedaant Madhavan, 21, recently shared his fitness routine, emphasizing that Indians possess genetic advantages but must focus on their diet. Speaking to PTI, Vedaant highlighted the importance of weight training, strengthening his legs, kicks, and improving ankle flexibility. He also mentioned that his stroke has become faster.

Vedaant noted that while Indians are genetically gifted, our diet is the main obstacle to achieving our full potential. He stressed the need for a disciplined, motivated mindset to excel in sports. Consulting an expert, dietitian Garima Goyal pointed out that genetic predispositions to central or visceral fat storage in South Asians can lead to metabolic complications even at lower BMI levels.

However, she clarified that this is influenced by various factors, including genetics, early-life elements, diet, physical activity, and environment. Goyal emphasized that evolution doesn't mean everyone's body is destined to store excess fat. Modern lifestyle changes, such as consuming high-energy foods, leading sedentary lifestyles, and poor sleep habits, significantly contribute to weight gain and metabolic diseases.

Goyal pointed out that Vedaant's emphasis on diet is crucial but should not involve blaming Indian food or genetics. She asserted that traditional Indian diets can be nutritious and diverse; the problem lies in overall dietary patterns, portion sizes, food quality, and their alignment with individual physical activity and energy needs.

For athletes, personalized nutrition plans are essential, supporting training, recovery, and performance based on sport, training load, body composition, and health status.