Sun bathing, fish oil, vitamin D and lemon tea: Nikhil Kamath opens up on diet and daily routine

​Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, has been in the public eye not just for his entrepreneurial success but also for a little different approach he takes upon for health and wellness. His daily routine can be said to reflect a mixture of modern dietary practices and traditional wellness habits, which gives us some idea about how to maintain a balanced lifestyle.​
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In his recent podcast, he shared that a cornerstone of his health regime is intermittent fasting, specifically the 16:8 method. This involves fasting for 16 hours each day, followed by an 8-hour eating window. Nikhil typically begins his day early, around 6:30 to 7:00 AM, engaging in activities like cardio exercises and sun exposure, but he postpones his first meal until 1:30 PM. This practice means he abstains from eating from approximately 9:30 PM the previous night until his afternoon meal.


Numerous health advantages, such as better metabolic health, weight control, and quicker cellular repair processes, have been associated with intermittent fasting. Better digestion and energy use may also result from adjusting eating habits to the body's circadian rhythms.​

To manage hunger during his fasting period, Nikhil adds a black coffee into his routine. He consumes his first cup around 11:00 AM and there might occasionally be a second at 12:30 PM.Coffeeacts as an appetite suppressant, helping to curb cravings and maintain focus during fasting hours. The caffeine in coffee can improve alertness and cognitive function, providing a beneficial boost during morning activities.​

Nikhil's daily routine places a high value on physical fitness. From 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM, he usually works out at the gym, concentrating on different types of physical activity. On occasion, he also involves weight training workouts at approximately 9:00 PM. Frequent exercise, particularly strength training, promotes cardiovascular health, muscle growth, and general wellbeing. Exercise is also essential to mental clarity and stress reduction, all of which are necessary for leading a healthy lifestyle.​

Post-workout nutrition is an important part of Nikhil's routine. Following his evening workouts, he drinks a protein shake to help with muscle recovery and growth. Protein intake after exercise is much needed for muscle fibre repair and strength development. In addition to protein smoothies, Nikhil includes supplements like magnesium and theanine to improve sleep quality and relaxation. These vitamins can help ease muscle cramping, improve sleep patterns, and boost overall healing.​

Nikhil stresses over the value of getting enough sleep despite a hectic schedule. He uses some sleep techniques that improve the quality of his sleep, like turning off electronics an hour before bed and practicing relaxation techniques, and he strives for 5 to 5.5 hours of sleep every night. Physical health, emotional stability, and cognitive performance all greatly depend on getting that sufficient sleep every night. Nikhil guarantees his continued productivity and general well-being by placing a high priority on getting enough sleep.​

To improve his health, Nikhil looks into wellness therapies in addition to diet and exercise. He has routine medical examinations, including blood testing every three months, and takes on with massage and heat therapy treatments. These treatments can improve general mental health, physical relaxation, and stress reduction. He genuinely tackles with both the emotional and physical aspects of wellness by taking an overall approach to health.​(Image: Canva)