Dietary changes can help reverse nutrition trends, address widespread protein gaps and improve overall diet quality.
Published Oct 06, 2025 | 6:30 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 06, 2025 | 6:30 AM
A healthy diet must contain the right amount of carbs, protein, fats, minerals, and vitamins. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: Indians derived about 62 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, the highest levels in the world. White rice dominated diets in the south, east, and north-eastern regions, while wheat was more common in the north and central parts of the country.
India’s dietary profile, dominated by carbohydrates and low-quality protein, is closely linked to increasing cases of diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity, according to a nationwide study.
The Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) conducted the study in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). It was published in Nature Medicine.
Covering 1,21,077 adults across 36 states, Union Territories, and the National Capital Region, the study assessed in detail how food habits were influencing metabolic health in India.
The study reported that Indians derived about 62 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, the highest levels in the world. White rice dominated diets in the south, east, and north-eastern regions, while wheat was more common in the north and central parts of the country.
Millets were consumed as a staple only in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Sugar intake exceeded recommended levels in 21 states and Union Territories.
Protein intake across the country averaged just 12 percent of daily calories, with most of it coming from plant-based sources such as cereals and pulses. Intake of dairy and animal protein remained low.
While overall fat consumption stayed within national guidelines, saturated fat exceeded recommended limits in nearly all regions. Healthier fats, such as monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, were consumed in very low amounts.
The analysis found that replacing 5 percent of daily carbohydrate calories with plant or dairy protein significantly reduced the risk of diabetes and prediabetes. In contrast, replacing carbohydrates with red meat protein or fats did not provide the same benefit.
“Our findings clearly show that typical Indian diets, heavy in carbohydrates from white rice or whole wheat flour, and low in quality protein are putting millions at risk,” Dr RM Anjana, lead author and President, MDRF, said.
“Simply switching from white rice to whole wheat or millets is not enough unless total carbohydrate intake decreases and more calories come from plant or dairy proteins,” she added.
Sudha Vasudevan, joint first author and Senior Scientist & Head, Department of Foods Nutrition & Dietetics Research, MDRF, noted “Similar metabolic risks across all regions, regardless of the main carbohydrate sources.”
“These nationwide findings should inspire policy reforms, especially regarding food subsidies and public health messaging to help Indians shift towards diets richer in plant-based and dairy proteins, and lower in carbohydrates and saturated fats,” said Dr V Mohan, senior author of the paper and Chairman, MDRF.
“Reducing saturated fat remains a challenge. Encouraging healthier oils and more pulses and legumes could make a major difference to the health of the nation,” Dr Shilpa Bhupathiraju, co-senior author, added.
Dr Mohan also stressed that dietary changes can help reverse nutrition trends, address widespread protein gaps and improve overall diet quality. Since healthcare is a state subject, he said, these findings would be of interest to state governments as they consider reforms in food subsidies and messaging.
The ICMR-INDIAB study, conducted over 15 years with support from the ICMR and Health Ministry, highlighted the urgent need for India to shift away from carbohydrate-heavy diets.
By adopting more balanced nutrition with greater emphasis on plant-based and dairy protein, healthier fats, and reduced sugar and refined cereals, experts felt that the country could slow the rising burden of diabetes and obesity.
The findings called for coordinated efforts across health, agriculture, food processing and welfare sectors to bring about sustainable dietary change.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
