Weight loss tip: Don’t eat dosa for breakfast. Here's why
A new diet debate has emerged online after celebrity fitness trainer Siddhartha Singh, who trains actor Tamannaah Bhatia, suggested that traditional South Indian breakfasts like dosa may not be ideal for weight loss.
The statement has gone viral as dosa is typically on everyone’s breakfast menu.
Why the trainer says ‘stop eating dosa’
In his recent social media guidance, Singh explained that the issue is not the dosa itself, but its lack of satiety when eaten in its basic form.
A standard rice-and-lentil dosa digests quickly, which may cause hunger to return within a short time.
He argued that this can lead to a cycle of snacking and excess calorie intake, especially for those trying to lose weight.
However, he clarified that dosa is not “bad food” - it is simply an incomplete meal when eaten alone.
The protein hack: How to ‘upgrade’ your breakfast
Instead of eliminating dosa, the trainer recommends improving its nutritional profile by adding protein-rich ingredients.
One of his suggested hacks is to include crushed paneer (cottage cheese) as a filling or topping.
This increases the protein content of the meal, which can help keep you fuller for longer, reduce mid-morning cravings, and support fat loss by improving satiety.
The idea is to transform a carb-heavy breakfast into a balanced meal with protein, carbs and fats, rather than removing cultural staples entirely.
The broader fitness message: Upgrade instead of replace
Singh’s advice reflects a wider trend in modern nutrition coaching: rather than banning traditional foods, focus on upgrading them.
For many Indian diets, breakfast options like dosa, idli, and paratha are often criticised in fitness circles for being low in protein. But experts increasingly suggest that the solution is not restriction - it is balance.
Adding eggs, paneer, yoghurt, or legumes can significantly improve meal quality without changing eating habits drastically.