Steep rise in prices of health food force Pune's diet conscious eaters to look for replacements that do not burn a hole in their pockets

You may have to replace theu00a0 apple with a papaya or guava to keep the doctor away, thanks to the increasing prices of fruits. Food items like brown bread, toned milk, eggs, dal, vegetables and fruits, whichu00a0 are integral to a healthy diet, are fast going beyond the reach of the average health freak.

Cutting down
Gaurav Anand (26), who has completed his MBA, said, "I am yet to land a job. I depend on my parents for my pocket money. It is becoming difficult for me to stick to my old diet chart. I have to drop toned milk from my diet or replace brown bread with white bread, which is not as good for health."

Bobby Pawar (36), a homemaker, said "My kids need healthy food. I have to cut down on pomegranate juice as it costs over Rs 35 in a dozen."

Experts feel high prices will now push the health conscious lot to settle for unhealthy roadside food, which is cheap and filling. Tushar Ramanan, director, Tushar Fitness studio, said, "It's a difficult time for fitness freaks and body builders, who will be forced to cut down on fruits, eggs, vegetables and milk. Apples cost something around Rs 180 per kg and it's not feasible to buy it every day."

Cutting corners
Dietician Shilpi Roy believes that while health food items have always been expensive, if prices continue to rise, many will be forced to alter their eating habits.

Health conscious people have already started switching to alternate plans. Neha Nirmalkar (28), PR consultant, says that her regular breakfast included eggs, brown bread and milk or juice. She now opts for poha, upma or paratha. "I can't afford my old breakfast. I have had to cut down on the intake of fruits as well," she said.