Bengaluru’s identity has long revolved around food – specifically, the smells associated with a masala dosa from Vidyarthi Bhavan or the taste of filter coffee from Basavanagudi. Both are synonymous with the city. However, its skyline has changed from colonial bungalows to tech parks made of glass and steel, and the types of foods consumed have changed along with it. In areas such as Indiranagar and Outer Ring Road, there is a new currency called the “High Protein Life.”
The Macro-Aesthetic: Beyond the Gym Floor
People in Bengaluru’s upper crust have taken this concept to another level through aesthetics that are tailored around using protein as a means of achieving the physique, while also giving a sophisticated feel for living an active lifestyle. The focus now has shifted from simply trying to get bigger while working out in a gym to creating a style of living that reflects how healthy and vibrant one is through the way their body looks (similar to an expensive suit representing an individual’s success/leadership). Therefore, individuals’ physiques that represent success relate to the pursuit of a physically fit, healthy body through nutrition.
The Artisanal Pivot: Sourcing the “Clean” Macro
Artisanal sources of protein in Bengaluru are being sought out for their premium quality and a growing number of small-batch artisanal proteins are becoming available as consumers become more health conscious and savvy about the provenance of their food. For those who live in Bengaluru, the idea of knowing where their protein comes from is as important as knowing the vintage of the wine they drink.
Bio-Hacking the Silicon Valley Palate
Bengaluru’s budding technology companies and entrepreneurs have begun to apply bio-hacking principles to their diets as data-driven science is replacing traditional thinking, and the use of technology to bio-hack the body’s performance and health continues to grow. The founders and C-suite executives of many of the city’s technology companies are using various forms of wearable technology to monitor their bodies and how they respond to certain foods to optimise cognitive performance and long-lasting energy, and as a result, nutrition is engineered to keep the brain functioning at peak performance level to develop and create software and technology.
Longevity as the Ultimate Luxury
The “Protein Renaissance” is all about helping you live longer by focusing on your health and achieving long-term success rather than just short-term wins when you’ve hit peak performance in your career.
The New Bengaluru Plate is a well-crafted, thoughtful, ambitious and visually pleasing representation of a city that has come to understand that its greatest asset is not its software export, but rather the people who work there. Health is no longer merely a goal to shoot for; instead, it has become an essential part of creating a quality life in the rapidly changing centre of Silicon Valley in India.
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