New Delhi, Aug 21 - With office canteens selling unhealthy snacks such as patties, noodles, samosas and life becoming increasingly busy, the Indian urban class needs to take urgent notice of their calorie intake, says celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

'It's very important that we start opting for salads over samosas (Indian fried potato snack). When we know such food items are not good for our health, we must face the issue head on. Thanks to our busy schedules, we don't even exercise, so food is something we have to control. This is the only way for a healthier India,' Kapoor told reporters here.

Kapoor, who has been in the food business for over two decades, said awareness about the right kind of food needs to be spread throughout India.

'People ask me how they can make healthy 'puris'. I ask them that why do they eat it at all? They should instead opt for chappatis made of aata (whole wheat). Food items like cake and pasta can also be made out of aata rather than maida (wheat flour) - it's just a matter of awareness,' said the chef who became a household name after his hit cookery TV show 'Khana Khazana'.