The carb conundrum

IF YOU FIND homely comfort in a meal of rice, roti, dal and veggies, for all its simplicity and popularity, think again.

- SREYA DEB

A recent study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the India Diabetes Association (INDIAB), has found that the Indian staple diet is far more carb-heavy than is healthy, and is resulting in metabolic and other health risks.

According to the study, Indian diets are characterised by low-quality carbohydrates, including white rice, milled whole grains and added sugar, with high levels of saturated fat and low protein. This leads to a heightened risk of noncommunicable diseases, particularly metabolic concerns in India. While a balanced diet should contribute 45-55% of the day's calories from carbohydrates, in the Indian diet, carbs make for 65-75% of the calorie intake.

According to Dr AK Jhingan, senior director, Centre for Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity & Endocrinology, BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, “Carbohydrates have traditionally formed the backbone of the Indian diet because they are affordable, easily available, and provide quick energy.” “However, lifestyle changes have drastically reduced physical activity, while the diet has remained largely the same. A regular Indian meal - two chapatis, one bowl of rice, dal, and two vegetable curries - can easily contain 70-100 gm of carbohydrates per meal, which can exceed daily needs for someone with a sedentary lifestyle” he adds.

According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, higher intakes of total carbohydrates were associated with a 14-30% higher metabolic risk among Indians.