📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kishan Singh or Kapur Singh
Health
Punjabi Women Consume 11% Less Protein Than Men Despite High Household Spending
✍️ Amar Ujala · Jalandhar
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 08:16 AM
👁 20
In Punjab, families rank fourth nationwide in spending on protein-rich foods, yet women’s protein intake trails men by 11.17%.
A recent analysis of dietary patterns in Punjab reveals a stark gender gap in protein consumption. While households in the state allocate one of the highest amounts of money to protein‑rich foods—placing them fourth across India—women are not benefitting proportionally. Data shows that Punjabi women consume roughly 11.17% less protein than their male counterparts.
The disparity appears to stem from intra‑household allocation of food resources, where men often receive larger portions of meat, dairy, and legumes. Despite the overall increase in spending, the nutritional advantage is not reaching women equally, raising concerns among health experts about long‑term impacts on female health and productivity.
Public health officials in Punjab have highlighted the need for targeted awareness campaigns and nutrition education that address gender biases in food distribution. They stress that improving women’s protein intake is essential for combating malnutrition and supporting broader development goals in the state.
The findings underscore a paradox: higher financial outlay on protein does not automatically translate into equitable nutrition. Stakeholders are urged to monitor household consumption patterns closely and promote equitable sharing of protein‑rich meals.
The disparity appears to stem from intra‑household allocation of food resources, where men often receive larger portions of meat, dairy, and legumes. Despite the overall increase in spending, the nutritional advantage is not reaching women equally, raising concerns among health experts about long‑term impacts on female health and productivity.
Public health officials in Punjab have highlighted the need for targeted awareness campaigns and nutrition education that address gender biases in food distribution. They stress that improving women’s protein intake is essential for combating malnutrition and supporting broader development goals in the state.
The findings underscore a paradox: higher financial outlay on protein does not automatically translate into equitable nutrition. Stakeholders are urged to monitor household consumption patterns closely and promote equitable sharing of protein‑rich meals.