Bharat Jodo Yatra: Despite his strict ‘no rice, no roti’ diet, Rahul Gandhi discusses his favorite foods and workout routine.

Rahul Gandhi, who is nearing the end of his Bharat Jodo Yatra, recently revealed that he does not eat rice or roti at home. “When I’m at home, I’m fairly strict. As a result, I am cautious. I don’t eat a wide variety of foods. I don’t eat carbohydrates — no rice, no roti,” he said, adding that if given a choice, and forced to eat, “I would eat roti probably”.

The Gandhi scion also discussed his family’s daily menu. “Normally in our house, we have desi khaana at lunch and some sort of continental stuff at dinner. I am very particular. I follow a strict diet. So, mine is rather dull. “I try to avoid too many sweet things,” he told food and travel portal Curly Tales at a campsite in a Rajasthan village.

Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra who travels from city to city in moveable trucks that convert into air-conditioned bedrooms, explained, “As part of the yatra, I eat everything when outdoors.”

The self-proclaimed foodie prefers non-vegetarian dishes, such as chicken, mutton, or seafood. “I used to frequent Old Delhi. But, in general, Moti Mahal is now my go-to spot. “Then there’s Sagar Ratna, Swagat, and sometimes Saravana Bhavan,” he said of the restaurants he frequents.

While his experience in each state has been different, Rahul recalled that the southern state of Telangana, known for its chillies and spicy meals, was “over the top” for him. “The culture is completely different. Food is different. Language is different. Music is different. Everything is different. Of course, it changes at the state boundaries but it also changes within the state. Telangana was a little bit spicy for me. Chillies were over the top. There I struggled. I don’t eat that much chillies.”

Sharing that it is the first time he has walked through the various districts as part of the Yatra, which began on September 7, 2022 from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, he said that it has been a “different” experience. “I think travel is very important to get a good idea of what different cultures are doing,” said Rahul, 52.

Rahul, an Aikido expert, also discussed finding time to stay physically fit with martial arts classes during the Yatra. “You’ll think I’m crazy, but I do martial arts class even on the Yatra these days,” Rahul, who is also a trained scuba diver and a free diver who can hold his breath underwater for an extended period, said.