Doctors in Nepal are advocating for a return to traditional dishes like lentils and rice to combat a growing diabetes crisis fueled by Western junk food. With one in five people over 40 battling type 2 diabetes, the need for effective, affordable solutions is urgent.
In a country where diabetes treatment can be prohibitively expensive, the consequences can be severe, leading to kidney disease, amputations, blindness, and even early death. “Diabetes is not just a health issue; it’s a social and economic burden for families,” notes Dr. Ashish Tamang, a resident doctor in Kathmandu.
Recent studies reveal promising results. One pilot study involving 70 participants in Kathmandu showed that 43% achieved remission through a calorie-controlled traditional diet. Ongoing trials in nearby villages are echoing these findings, with nearly half of participants maintaining diabetes-free status after just four months.
Professor Mike Lean from the University of Glasgow, who has pioneered similar dietary interventions in the UK, emphasizes the potential effectiveness of this approach in Nepal. “People from Asian backgrounds are more prone to type 2 diabetes,” he explains. “Interestingly, they often need to lose less weight to reverse the condition.”
This project focuses on affordable, local ingredients. Participants follow a strict meal plan, consuming 850 calories a day primarily from yogurt, fruit, and traditional meals like dal bhat. They are given tools to monitor portion sizes and encouraged to attend supportive group sessions.
Lean has observed that the rising diabetes rates in Nepal align with the increasing availability of junk food: sweets and soft drinks first entered rural areas with bicycles and have now permeated every aspect of life. He points out that as transportation improved, so did access to unhealthy foods. Additionally, decreasing physical activity due to technological advances exacerbates the issue.
A 2025 study highlighted that 87% of packaged foods in Kathmandu exceed recommended sugar, fat, and salt levels set by the World Health Organization. Lean argues that returning to a traditional diet is “not rocket science,” but it’s a much more effective method than relying on medications that often offer limited benefits.
This initiative has attracted support, including £1.78 million from the Howard Foundation to fund educational efforts about diabetes drivers. If successful, the approach could serve as a model for neighboring countries facing similar health challenges.
As discussions about this initiative spread, health officials from various regions are watching closely. They believe that if these methods work in Nepal, they could also help curb rising diabetes rates elsewhere in South Asia.
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