Kunal Kapoor says: Social media food trends create more confusion than help

January 7, 2026

New Delhi: Celebrity chef Kunal Kapoor, who is returning to the new season of “MasterChef India,” believes that food trends on social media confuse people more than provide accurate information. Speaking to IANS, he said that people today are consuming social media content very quickly and continuously.

“Food is one of those topics that comes up repeatedly on your social media feed, where people say which food is healthy, which is not, which is good for you, or that a particular food is a ‘superfood.’ Some of these things are true, but many claims cannot be verified,” he said.

What, how, when, and how much you eat—it all matters

Kunal says that health isn’t just about what you eat.

“It’s important to understand a simple principle: health isn’t just about what you eat, but also about how you eat, how you cook it, when you eat it, and how much you eat it,” he explained.

He also said that every person’s body is different. “Your body type may be more suited to certain dishes, while the same food may not be suitable for someone else,” Kunal added.

‘No food is inherently unhealthy’

Kunal Kapoor emphasized that it’s wrong to call any food inherently “unhealthy.”

“No food is inherently unhealthy. We often label something unhealthy because it contains ghee or butter, whereas the purpose of every food is to provide nutrition.”

However, he attributed unhealthy lifestyles to our lifestyles. “If we have a sedentary lifestyle, don’t move around much, and don’t burn calories, then high-calorie foods can be harmful.”

Encouraging people, he said, “If you don’t have any specific health problems, all foods can be healthy. Just remember—whatever you eat, you need to burn it.”

Kunal also advised trying recipes you see on social media, but deciding for yourself whether they’re right for you.
“Try what you see on social media and then, based on your experience, tell others whether it’s right for you to follow,” he said.

“MasterChef India” airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony Liv.