Who is the dietician of Deepika Padukone? Meet Pooja Makhija

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

Deepika Padukone, known for her athletic physique and radiant skin, works with a highly acclaimed celebrity dietician to maintain her health. For years, the question of who is the dietician of Deepika Padukone has been answered by the name Pooja Makhija, a renowned Mumbai-based nutritionist who focuses on holistic wellness and a balanced relationship with food.

Quick Summary

This article explores the professional relationship between Deepika Padukone and her dietician, Pooja Makhija, outlining the nutritional philosophy that guides her diet. It details the emphasis on balanced meals, sustainable eating, and debunking food myths. Key takeaways from Makhija's approach, focused on long-term health rather than quick fixes, are highlighted.

Key Points

Pooja Makhija: She is the long-time dietician and nutritionist for Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone.
Holistic Philosophy: Makhija promotes a sustainable and balanced approach to food, focusing on long-term wellness rather than restrictive diets.
Balanced Indian Diet: Deepika's diet embraces traditional South Indian cuisine like rasam and rice, proving that healthy food can also be delicious.
Mindful Eating: A key principle is mindful indulgence using a 20/80 rule (20% for taste, 80% for body) and prioritizing portion control.
Importance of Hydration: Makhija emphasizes water intake as a cornerstone of health, vital for skin, weight, and overall well-being.
Consistency Over Extremes: The focus is on establishing consistent, doable habits for lasting results, which is more effective than drastic, short-term dieting.
Beyond Nutrition: Her work with Deepika also extends to other lifestyle factors like exercise, sleep, and stress management.

Who is the Dietician of Deepika Padukone?

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has long collaborated with celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija, the founder of the clinic 'Nourish' in Mumbai. Known for her pragmatic approach, Makhija’s philosophy is centered on building a healthy, sustainable relationship with food rather than restrictive dieting. She believes in the power of conscious eating and consistency, principles that resonate deeply with Deepika's own health and wellness journey.

The Nutritional Philosophy of Pooja Makhija

Pooja Makhija's success is rooted in her comprehensive understanding of nutrition, combined with her ability to personalize diet plans to fit her clients' lifestyles. She holds a BSc in Dietetics and an MSc in Food Science and Nutrition from Mumbai. A bestselling author of books like Eat Delete, Makhija advocates for eating with purpose and listening to one's body. Her key strategies include portion control, frequent small meals, and a balanced intake of macronutrients.

Deepika Padukone's Diet Secrets

Deepika's diet, as informed by Makhija, is not about fad diets but a balanced, wholesome, and sustainable way of eating. A self-proclaimed South Indian foodie, Deepika enjoys traditional dishes like rasam and rice, proving that healthy eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Her diet is tailored to her body's needs, particularly focusing on fat percentage and high metabolism, which requires frequent meals. The emphasis is on balancing nutrient intake with regular hydration.

Here is a list of some of the dietary principles Pooja Makhija shares:

Embrace ancestral eating: Makhija often promotes returning to traditional, wholesome foods, such as the Indian thali, which naturally offers a balanced meal.
Mindful indulgence: She encourages her clients to enjoy outside food but with a '20/80' rule: 20% for taste and 80% for nourishment.
Prioritize hydration: Water is emphasized as 'liquid gold,' and proper intake is seen as a solution to many health issues, including skin concerns and weight management.
Consistency is key: Makhija stresses that sustainable weight management comes from consistent, doable habits, not extreme, restrictive practices.

Comparison: Traditional Dieting vs. Makhija's Philosophy


Feature	Traditional Fad Diet	Pooja Makhija's Philosophy (Deepika's Approach)
Sustainability	Often short-term, unsustainable, and prone to rebound weight gain.	Long-term, lifestyle-focused, and based on consistent, manageable habits.
Food Relationship	Treats food as an enemy to be controlled, leading to guilt.	Promotes a healthy relationship with food, viewing it as a friend.
Meal Frequency	Restrictive meal timing, often involving skipping meals or fasting.	Encourages frequent, smaller meals, especially for high metabolism.
Indulgence	Complete avoidance of 'unhealthy' foods, increasing cravings.	Allows for mindful indulgence with portion control.
Hydration Focus	Often overlooked or addressed superficially.	A foundational principle, essential for 99% of health issues.

How Pooja Makhija Influences Her Clients' Overall Wellness

Beyond her work with Deepika Padukone, Pooja Makhija has been a mentor for numerous celebrities and individuals, instilling a philosophy that links physical health with mental well-being. Her advice extends to overall lifestyle, including exercise, sleep, and stress management. This holistic perspective aligns with Deepika's publicly discussed focus on mental health, underscoring that nutrition is one component of a broader wellness picture.

Conclusion: The Real Secret to Celebrity Fitness

The success behind Deepika Padukone's fitness is not a secret, quick-fix diet but a consistent, balanced, and mindful approach guided by her dietician, Pooja Makhija. By focusing on sustainable eating habits that respect her body and heritage, Deepika showcases how long-term wellness is achieved. Makhija’s emphasis on treating food as a friend and the importance of consistency offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle, celebrity or not. For more insight into Pooja Makhija's holistic wellness approach, visit her official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dietician for Deepika Padukone is Pooja Makhija, a well-known nutritionist and author based in Mumbai who runs her clinic called 'Nourish'.

Pooja Makhija advocates for a holistic and sustainable approach to eating. She emphasizes building a positive relationship with food, mindful eating, portion control, and avoiding restrictive fad diets.

No, Deepika Padukone does not follow a restrictive diet. Her plan, guided by Pooja Makhija, focuses on a balanced intake of nutrients, frequent small meals, and embracing wholesome, traditional foods, particularly South Indian cuisine.

Some of her key tips include eating frequently (every two hours for high metabolism), prioritizing hydration with plenty of water, and practicing mindful indulgence rather than complete restriction.

Deepika's diet is not restrictive. According to her nutritionist, it's about making smart, healthy choices and eating just enough to feel full without overeating. She has also been known to incorporate her favorite comfort foods, like rasam and rice, into her balanced diet.

Yes, Pooja Makhija has a long list of celebrity clients, including Bollywood actors like Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, and Shahid Kapoor.

Makhija believes in mindful indulgence, guided by her '20/80' rule. This means enjoying food for taste 20% of the time, while the other 80% focuses on what your body requires for nourishment.