# Eggs in mid-day meals: Indians may need more animal protein 2026-08-14T08:02:08+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A commissioner of the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission writes in Hindustan Times that the controversy over eggs in mid-day meals distracts from India's broader protein gap. The NFHS-5 shows poor dietary diversity, especially among poorer homes. The Commission recommends moderate animal-source foods for a healthy, sustainable diet: 15g red meat, 30g poultry, 30g fish and 15g eggs per adult per day, but stresses these are flexible population targets. Eggs are a cost-effective way to improve children's nutrition where culturally acceptable, the article argues. India's red-meat consumption is low globally, but intake of vegetables, fruits and legumes also trails world levels. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: animal protein, dietary guidelines, EAT-Lancet, egg debate, mid-day meals, protein intake Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/eggs-in-mid-day-meals-indians-may-need-more-animal-protein/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/eggs-in-mid-day-meals-indians-may-need-more-animal-protein/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.