Indian diet largely comprises carbohydrates, mainly white rice, milled whole grains, and added sugars. While these foods are affordable and culturally preferred, they often lack fiber, protein, and essential nutrients. Such high-carbohydrate, low-protein patterns coupled with low levels of physical activity are now being linked to rising rates of diabetes and obesity across the country.

A study recently published in Nature Medicine examined the dietary patterns in India and their association with metabolic risk factors using data from the ICMR–INDIAB study, which is one of the largest nutrition and metabolic surveys ever conducted in India. The ICMR-INDIAB survey provided a detailed pattern of what Indians eat and how these patterns affect their health. Data was collected between 2008 and 2020 from 18,090 adults across 30 Indian states and union territories, covering both urban and rural populations.

This study reported that excessive carbohydrate and saturated fat intake, coupled with inadequate protein intake contributed significantly to the growing metabolic disease burden in India. The study emphasized that small dietary shifts such as reducing refined cereals and increasing protein intake from plant and dairy sources can make a measurable difference in reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity in India (See Graphic).