Food delivery in India is not just about taste anymore — it’s now about health too. In a move that reflects shifting consumer preferences, Zomato has launched its new ‘Healthy Mode’ feature, designed to help users discover and order nutritious meals directly from its app.
The feature has initially gone live in Gurugram, one of India’s most health-conscious urban hubs, with plans to expand across major cities soon. With this launch, Zomato aims to make mindful eating easier and more accessible to people who often rely on food delivery but struggle to find healthy options.
AI Builds Nutri Profiles
What sets Healthy Mode apart is its use of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models (LLMs). Instead of leaving users to guess whether a dish is actually healthy, Zomato has created detailed macronutrient profiles for listed dishes. Each meal now carries a ‘Healthy Score’, ranking it from ‘Low’ to ‘Super’ based on the nutritional information provided by restaurant partners.
This gives users a clear understanding of calories, protein, fats, and overall nutritional quality before they hit the order button. For young professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and even working parents, this tool could be a game changer.
Founder Invites Real Feedback
Commenting on the launch, Eternal Founder Deepinder Goyal — whose company owns Zomato, Blinkit, District, and Hyperpure — shared his excitement on X (formerly Twitter). He said, “It’s live in Gurgaon, and we’ll expand fast. Try it, tear it apart, tell us where it fails. Because this is just the beginning — and for the first time, I feel we’re moving meaningfully closer to truly living up to our mission: better food for more people.”
His open request for criticism indicates Zomato’s confidence and willingness to refine the feature based on real user feedback, rather than just launching it as a promotional gimmick.
Demand for Healthy Food Grows
According to Zomato, demand for healthy food has surged across metro cities, particularly among people aged 18 to 45. Whether it’s weight watchers, gym-goers, diabetics, or young millennials opting for lifestyle changes, nutrition is now a major factor in food delivery decisions.
Until now, food apps have largely highlighted spicy, cheesy and indulgent meals. With Healthy Mode, the focus shifts from taste alone to taste plus wellness, giving customers more power over what they consume.
Competition Heats Up
With this launch, Zomato has clearly taken a lead in health-focused delivery, but it is not without competition.
Swiggy, its biggest rival, currently offers “HealthHub” in select cities, featuring calorie-tagged meals from partner restaurants. Meanwhile, EatFit and Curefoods are already popular among fitness lovers. Smaller platforms like HappEats and FreshMenu also cater to nutrition-driven customers.
However, what Zomato brings to the table is a massive user base and deep restaurant network, giving Healthy Mode the potential to become mainstream rather than niche. The real battle among Zomato Competitors may now shift from fastest delivery to healthiest delivery.
Restaurants Adapt to Change
Restaurant partners, too, are expected to evolve. With Healthy Scores visible to customers, eateries may feel encouraged — or pressured — to revamp their menus, reduce oil, and introduce low-carb or high-protein variants.
Nutrition transparency could also become a trust-building factor. Just like how food hygiene ratings influence diners today, health ratings may soon become a deciding factor for online orders.
Future of Food Delivery
With Healthy Mode, Zomato is not just launching another feature — it is redefining how Indians look at convenience eating. If users embrace the habit of checking health scores before ordering, it may spark a nationwide shift in eating habits.
The platform’s next challenge will be making Healthy Mode as engaging as its regular feed. After all, salad bowls need to compete with biryanis and burgers — not in flavour, but in appeal.
As the rollout expands to more cities, one question will decide its success: Will Indians choose nutrition over instant gratification? If even a fraction does, Zomato’s Healthy Mode may become the most impactful update the food delivery world has seen in years.
