Rats are teaching us how to snack, but is rat snacking a healthy trend?

Brad Bird's 'Ratatouille' features many memorable scenes, but today, let's discuss the one where Remy reunites with his brother Emile. When the two brothers meet after a long separation, Remy makes Emile try different food combinations with ingredients he scavenges from the pantry of Gusteau's restaurant.

Wondering why we are discussing 'Ratatouille'? Well, rats are renowned for their scavenging nature, essentially consuming whatever they find.

This unpredictable and resourceful eating habit of rodents has transformed into a peculiar yet captivating food trend, causing a frenzy on social media:

Rat snacking

In a world where food trends pop up faster than toast, rat snacking has captured everyone's attention.

What: This trend involves eating like rats - indulging in snacks between meals and experimenting with unconventional food pairings.

Food enthusiasts embracing this trend are transforming leftovers into delightful bites and saving money on the side (you know, like Indian moms all over do with the leftover dal from the previous night, turn it into dal parantha the next morning?).

British supermarket company, Waitrose, has also highlighted this trend in its annual food and drink report.

In the report, this trend is described as "the unashamed joy of enjoying unusual snack combinations (that only you appreciate!), often created from raiding the kitchen cupboards."

While social media revels in the joy of snacking like rats and exploring unconventional food combinations, what do experts think about rat snacking?

Mix, match, and DIY your rat-snack

Jashan Vij, health and fat loss coach, tells India Today that this bizarre trend of rat snacking involves humans mimicking rodent behaviour by scavenging for leftover food to create a meal with odds and ends.

He explains that people have been enjoying small, spontaneous snacks made from unconventional food combinations.

"These snacks typically involve do-it-yourself mixes using ingredients that aren't commonly paired," he says.

Why is this food trend going viral?

Shedding light on the popularity of this trend, nutritionist Nupuur Patil explains why people enjoy rat snacking so much.

She states that diet trends, in general, gain popularity due to the desire for weight management.

In simple terms, rat snacking involves intermittent fasting, where rats eat all their daily food in brief, concentrated periods.

The diet has captured widespread attention and enthusiasm among people for several reasons.

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• Rat snacking offers a flexible approach to eating, allowing individuals to consume their daily food within specific windows, often aligning with their lifestyle and preferences.
• The snacking method simplifies meal planning and eliminates the need for constant calorie counting, making it a convenient option for those seeking dietary freedom.

Is rat snacking healthy?

While this trend encourages embracing impulsive culinary cravings and motivates individuals to craft snacks that are distinctive and unconventional, Jashan emphasises that this unnecessary habit of eating leftovers mindlessly can be 'catastrophic' for anybody's health.

"We should adhere to a proper eating schedule. Our bodies are not dustbins, and we should be mindful of what we eat. Our primary focus should always be to replenish our body with high-quality nutrients. We are humans, not rats, so our eating habits should be human-like too," he adds.

Nupuur also feels that rat snacking, while intriguing, may not be considered a healthy alternative to full meals.

She says, "It involves consuming odd food combinations in small portions, mimicking rats' scavenging behaviour. While it offers flexibility and convenience, it may lack essential nutrients found in balanced meals. It's essential to prioritise nutrient-rich foods for overall health."

Can this trend help in losing weight?

Nupuur shares that by encouraging individuals to opt for smaller, more frequent meals or snacks throughout the day, rat snacking may help regulate hunger levels and prevent overeating during main meals, leading to weight loss.

"Overall, if the diet is done mindfully and with a focus on nutritious choices, it can support weight management goals," she adds.

A chef's take on rat snacking

Chef Nehal Karkera also shares insights into this trend, "People love snacking and are always seeking new ways to be creative without actually cooking. While you are young, you can get away with it and eat whatever you want, but as you grow older, you come back to your senses."

He feels that this is a trend and that it will fade.

"As a chef, I genuinely feel some of the rat snacking ideas are quite creative, like cheese-wrapped pickle, and vanilla ice cream with French fries. However, there are some that make me cringe. We have our own version of rat snacks that have been trending for years now, like masala dosa ice cream or the Parle-G omelette. I wish I never saw videos of them, but I guess it works for some," he adds.

A little about human behaviour

While discussing the human inclination for thrilling tastes, psychiatrist Dr Sarthak Dave suggests that our hectic schedules often limit the time available for elaborate recipes.

Consequently, individuals seek to infuse excitement into their meals by experimenting with the unconventional combination of their favourite foods, hoping to uncover a more exhilarating taste.

Dr Sarthak says that sharing these culinary experiments on social media enhances the experience.

Receiving likes and positive comments becomes a small but rewarding gesture, boosting our happiness when others appreciate our creations.

According to Dr Sarthak, preparing a complex dish with numerous ingredients and a lengthy process demands time.

On the other hand, assembling a quick combination like a cheese slice, pickle, and gulab jamun is quick.

He elaborates, "The distinct taste resulting from such combinations provides a unique dopamine rush. Sharing these experiences on social media and receiving validation is akin to the icing on the cake. This uncomplicated yet thrilling approach to flavour pairing becomes a delightful habit, offering a swift and tasty escape from our busy lives."

But...

Nupuur suggests that individuals should approach rat snacking with caution and mindfulness to ensure a balanced and healthy dietary pattern.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Although rat snacking encourages creativity in food combinations, it's essential to prioritise nutritional balance and variety to meet the body's dietary requirements adequately.
• Excessive consumption of processed or unhealthy ingredients in these unconventional snacks may lead to adverse health effects like weight gain, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic imbalances.
• While experimenting with rat snacking, listening to one's body and paying attention to how different combinations affect energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being is crucial.
• Moderation, balance, and mindful eating practices are key to deriving its benefits while minimising potential drawbacks.