Eggs consumed: 24 eggs a day

At nearly 20 kgs less than Khamkar, 55-kg bodybuilder and Kandivali resident, Jayesh Kharat spends Rs 1,000 a month only on eggs in his diet, "a Rs 200 climb from what it was just a couple of months ago. The egg prices have hit me the hardest; earlier it was Rs 2.50 per egg, now it is more than Rs 3. That is a strain considering I consume 14 egg whites daily in body building season."

Like most bodybuilders, Jayesh says his salary as fitness trainer is not enough to support his diet, but his mother Ashray Kharat ensures that her son gets all the eggs he needs. "It is getting more expensive every day but we support and encourage Jayesh because he loves body building, it is his passion.
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We cannot shatter his dreams," says his mother who wakes up at 4 am to cook Jayesh's breakfast. One is sure those egg white creations are spiked with a special ingredient which can never be hit by inflation: A mother's TLC -- Tender, Loving, Care.

Jayesh's daily diet
Eggs: 14
Protein shake: 4
Oats: 120 grams
Chicken: 100 gms
Vegetables: 1 helping
Salad: 2 helpingsu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Yet, a bodybuilder does not live on, "TLC alone," laughs champion bodybuilder Manish Advilkar. Advilkar who trained actor Salman Khan for a decade despairs for the next generation of bodybuilders, "If they ever arrive at all. With food costing what it does these days, this sport is sure to die out," says this senior clerk with Western Railway who also works as a personal trainer. "As professionals, we can manage but these are very hard times for beginners," says Advilkar.

"In fact," adds Advilkar, "I see the lower middle class and the middle class being priced out of bodybuilding altogether. Bodybuilding was never a sport for the rich but it might well become one," he explains. Advilkar says, "Eggs are one of the purest forms of protein, they are essential to our diet. Earlier, 10 eggs cost approximately Rs 26. Today they cost nearly Rs 40, look at the jump."


Jayesh Kharat consumes those eggs at express speed

Then, Advilkar says, "We have not taken into account the advanced supplements that one needs, even whey protein, which is better than egg would cost Rs 6,000 for 1.5 months. Who, except the rich can afford to spend that much?"u00a0 Like Advilkar, most bodybuilders feel the government has to step in to save this game.
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"It is not just eggs but even other protein sources like fish and chicken that have taken a quantum leap," says Advilkar. Recent job avenues like private gyms help bodybuilders as they can be employed as personal trainers but they Advilkar says, "pay Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 while a bodybuilder's dietary expense is more than twice that," explains Advilkar, who ends with, "I have suffered through my career, now I wish the younger generation gets help, so that they do not suffer like me."

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Rs 6000: Cost of whey protein for 1.5 months

It is not so much about suffering, "as it is about introspection," says champion bodybuilder, Shyam Rahate who admits, "I often ask myself, why have I taken up this sport? Have all the sacrifices been worth it?" Shyam says he has cut down his egg intake, "from 30 a day to 20" because, "eggs have become so expensive. A bodybuilder needs to spend at least Rs 500 a day and that is a very conservative estimate, on his

food. Today, that 500 note can buy less and less. I cut down because I do not want my family to struggle. At peak competition time, one needs Rs 2,000 a day to keep up with nutritional needs. Is that possible?" he asks almost rhetorically.u00a0u00a0 Like others, Shyam cites the big 'S' - support that can help bodybuilders keep popping those eggs.

"India has truly talented bodybuilders. Let them not fade away because of rising prices," says Shyam, who like the others is also preparing for the Mr. Universe competition to be held in the city later this year.

30 to 20: Cut down on eggs

Big time competitions notwithstanding, with all these strongmen struggling through spirit-sapping inflation, the sport's future looks as fragile as eggshells.u00a0u00a0

Bollywood into eggs and Khalli's eggcentricities

John Abraham, Bollywood's Popeye thanks to his bulging biceps has at least 10-12 egg whites a day to fuel that body. He told a journalist that he ate eggs extensively while getting ready for Dostana. Hrithik Roshan too says eggs form an important part of his diet and Arjun Rampal is part of the egg brigade. For Bollywood actors flush with funds egg prices cause not a dent in their fat wallets.

Meanwhile, reports state that wrestler Khalli was given an egg-welcome when he entered the Bigg Boss season 4 house. The channel had provided him a breakfast of 20 eggs and milk, as he was ushered into the house and locked in.


Manish Advilkar and his favourite food

Khalli-lore has it that the wrestler consumes 25 eggs at a time, seven times a day outside the Bigg Boss house. Those figures are not authenticated and sound excessive. Even if inflated, they are an indication of the importance of eggs for all those who live by their biceps.

Post Party Nourishment
Egg bhurji, Mumbai's favourite late night snack has been affected by rising prices. The snack often comes to the rescue of late night party revellers and those who work the night shift. When restaurants are closed and there seems nothing on hand to silence the rumbling stomach, simply trundle on to the nearest egg-bhurji seller and join the famished digging into the egg-pav combo snack in relief.

Where do you get the best bhurji?
Mumbai's railway stations are formidable bhurji-pav addas. The bhurji is usually sold on hand carts and is especially good outside Dadar station (W), Vile Parle station on the East side and both sides of Andheri station.