Carbs in Indian diet lack the punch, reveals study
According to a study conducted to assess the dietary content of carbohydrate consumed by Indians across the country, around 66.8 per cent of the energy consumption in the average individual is from carbohydrates.
This was stated by Shashank R. Joshi, consultant endocrine and metabolic physician of Lilavati and Bhatia Hospital, who delivered the Dr. Rema Mohan Gold Medal Oration at the Dr. Mohan’s International Diabetes Update here, on Friday.
Of all the regions, central India has the highest consumption of carbohydrates, with people of the region deriving around 70 per cent of their energy requirement from carbs, he said.
It is necessary to reduce the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates and eat more complex carbohydrates with low glycemic index in order to stay healthy. Ideally, for the average Indian, 50 to 60 per cent of his/her energy should come from carbohydrates, and intake of fruits, vegetables and protein should increase, he said.
South Asians in general have a very low intake of fruit and vegetables, he pointed out, adding that less than four per cent of the population consumed the required amount of fruits and vegetables.
Deviating from diet plan
Another big challenge, especially for those with diabetes, is the failure to adhere to the diet plan. Only around 38 per cent of the subjects in the study adhered to the prescribed diet, he said.
The study was presented as part of the two-day Dr. Mohan’s International Diabetes Update conference, where experts from around the world had gathered to discuss the latest trends in diabetes.
Speaking of the new ventures of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, its chairman, V. Mohan, said, after the success of their high-fibre white rice and rava, they were now looking to expand to other food products including noodles, vermicelli and idli mix, as well as high-fibre long-grain rice.
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