So, What’s Shubhanshu Shukla Gonna Eat After Coming Back from Space?
Okay, let’s be real—after floating around in zero gravity for months, India’s star astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is probably dreaming about one thing: proper Earth food. Forget fancy gourmet stuff. When you’ve been eating vacuum-packed meals for half a year, even the simplest home-cooked dish tastes like heaven. But here’s the kicker—he can’t just wolf down a biryani the second he lands. There’s science (and a whole medical team) standing between him and that first glorious bite.
1. Touchdown: What Actually Happens in Those First Hours?
1.1 Doctors First, Food Later
Imagine coming home after the craziest trip of your life—except instead of crashing on your couch, you get poked and prodded by doctors. Space does weird things to the human body. Muscles forget how to work properly, bones get weaker, and your insides basically rearrange themselves. So before Shukla even thinks about food, they’ll check if he can walk straight without falling over. Seriously.
1.2 The Slow Return to Normal Eating
Here’s how it goes down: First, they’ll pump him full of electrolytes (think advanced ORS). Then maybe some broth or juice. Solid food comes later—and even then, it’s gotta be light. His stomach’s been on vacation too, remember?
2. The Big Question: What’s His First Meal Gonna Be?
2.1 Astronauts Keep It Simple
You’d think they’d want some extravagant feast, right? Nope. Most astronauts go for something stupidly basic—an apple, some toast, maybe eggs. For an Indian astronaut? My money’s on khichdi. Easy to digest, packed with nutrients, and tastes like childhood. Perfect combo.
2.2 What His Body Actually Needs
This isn’t about cravings—it’s science:
- Salty stuff: To help his body hold onto fluids again
- Quick energy: Like rice or bananas
- Protein: To rebuild those wasted muscles
3. Why Space Messes With Your Appetite
3.1 The Weird Science of Eating in Zero-G
Okay, this is wild—food tastes different in space. Like, bland different. Something about fluid shifts dulling your taste buds. So when Shukla takes that first bite back on Earth? Flavor explosion. Bet he’ll finally understand why people obsess over masala chai.
3.2 The Recovery Diet
ISRO’s docs will probably load him up on vitamin D (for bones) and omega-3s (to calm inflammation). But here’s the thing—they’re not robots. If the man wants a dosa, they’ll find a way to make it work with the science.
4. How Other Space Agencies Handle This
4.1 NASA: Burgers and Pizza
Americans gonna American. One astronaut straight up had a burger waiting after landing. Priorities.
4.2 Russia: Soup Nation
Cosmonauts? They get hearty soups and dark bread. Probably helps after months of those weird toothpaste-tube meals.
4.3 ISRO’s Move
No official word, but I’m picturing ghee-laden rotis or maybe dahi-rice. Comforting, easy on the gut, and packed with calories—exactly what a returning space hero needs.
5. Why This Meal Matters More Than You Think
5.1 It’s Not Just Food—It’s Home
After months of isolation, that first proper meal is therapy. For Shukla, one bite of aloo paratha could erase half the stress of space travel.
5.2 The Symbolism
Let’s be honest—the whole country will be watching. Whatever he eats becomes instant news. Imagine the headlines if he goes for vada pav? Mumbai would lose its mind.
6. Quick Answers to Stuff People Are Googling
Q: When can he eat normally?
A: Couple days, probably. But weird cravings might last weeks.
Q: Do astronauts miss specific foods?
A> Oh yeah. Crunchy stuff especially—think about not eating a fresh cucumber for six months.
Q: Any foods off-limits at first?
A> Nothing too heavy or greasy. His stomach needs time to remember how to stomach.
Final Thought
Shubhanshu Shukla’s first meal back tells a bigger story—about science, sure, but also about what makes us human. In the end, even astronauts just want food that makes them feel at home. Makes you wonder—after floating among the stars, what would your dream homecoming meal be?
Source: News18 Hindi – Nation
