India, May 9 -- One of the clearest insights into how India eats comes from the recent Nature Medicine publication based on the ICMR-INDIAB study, the largest and most comprehensive diabetes study conducted in the country. Covering every state, Union Territory, and island, and using detailed food-frequency questionnaires, the study allowed us to map what Indians actually consume and link dietary patterns to diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, cholesterol levels, and other metabolic outcomes.

A striking finding emerged across regions. Regardless of geography-north, south, east, west, central India, or the northeast-Indian diets are overwhelmingly high in carbohydrates. The staple may vary: Rice in the south, east, and northeast; wheat in the ...