Traditional food could help reverse Nepal's 'diabetes epidemic', studies suggest

Nepal's Diabetes Epidemic May Be Solved with Ancient Cuisine

A ground-breaking study in Nepal suggests that returning to traditional lentil and rice dishes could help reverse the country's alarming diabetes epidemic. The trend of increasing type 2 diabetes cases, where one in five people over 40 are now affected, has prompted doctors to explore alternative solutions.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow and Dhulikhel hospital have developed a weight loss plan that incorporates cheap, local ingredients, such as yoghurt, fruit, lentils, and rice. The diet plan involves following an 850-calorie daily meal plan for eight weeks, with participants switching to a higher-calorie version to maintain their lower weight.

The study's lead expert, Prof Mike Lean, believes that this approach could be more effective in Nepal due to the country's genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes. "People from Asian backgrounds are genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes, which means they only have to put on a smaller amount of weight before getting diagnosed," he explained.

In contrast, patients in the UK may need to lose between 10 and 15 kilograms to reverse their diabetes. The study's findings show that participants following this diet plan can lose an average of 4-5 kilograms after just four months, with around half experiencing complete remission from diabetes.

The researchers also highlighted the importance of avoiding processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt. According to a 2025 study, 87% of packaged food sold in Kathmandu shops exceeded World Health Organization recommended thresholds for these nutrients.

The approach has gained significant attention globally, with officials from neighboring countries approaching Dr Lean for advice on how to tackle rising diabetes rates. The expanded study, which has received ยฃ1.78m funding from the Howard Foundation, aims to create educational materials on the drivers of diabetes and promote a healthier lifestyle in Nepal.
 
I'm intrigued by this study on traditional Nepalese cuisine being the key to reversing the country's diabetes epidemic ๐Ÿค”. It makes sense that incorporating more lentils and rice into their diet could help, considering it's all about keeping weight in check, which is a major factor in type 2 diabetes cases.

The fact that people from Asian backgrounds are genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes is also an interesting point ๐ŸŒ. I think it's great that researchers like Prof Mike Lean are exploring alternative solutions, especially when it comes to affordable and accessible food options. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good ol' plate of lentil curry? ๐Ÿ˜Š

It's also crazy to think that 87% of packaged food in Kathmandu shops exceeds World Health Organization thresholds for sugar, fat, and salt. That's just unsustainable and needs to change ASAP ๐ŸŒŽ. I'm glad the researchers are creating educational materials on this topic, it's essential that people have access to healthier lifestyle options.

I think this study has huge potential for making a real difference in Nepal and beyond ๐Ÿ’ช.
 
omg, this is so inspiring! ๐Ÿคฉ I mean, who knew that ancient Nepalese cuisine could be the key to solving our modern-day health crisis? ๐ŸŒฎ๐Ÿฅ— The fact that they're using lentils and rice as their base ingredients makes total sense - they're like nature's perfect package of protein and carbs! ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’š And I love how this study is highlighting the importance of avoiding processed foods, those stuffs are basically poison for our bodies ๐Ÿ’”. Dr Lean's right on point when he says that people from Asian backgrounds may be more prone to type 2 diabetes due to genetic predisposition - we need to take care of our bodies and eat accordingly ๐Ÿค. This study is a game-changer, I'm so excited to see the impact it'll have in Nepal and beyond! ๐ŸŒŸ #DiabetesEpidemic #AncientCuisine #HealthyLifestyle #Nepal #GlobalHealth
 
omg its like 1 in 5 ppl over 40 in nepal got diabetes ๐Ÿคฏ๐Ÿ‘€ theyre tryin this ancient diet with lentils & rice tho maybe its a good start? prob bc they already eat that a lot there anyway... the only thing thats weird is ppl from asian backgrounds are more prone to diabetes cuz of their genes ๐Ÿค” so its like u need less weight gain before getting diagnosed lol what if we just cut out all the processed foods in nepal already tho ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘Ž
 
๐Ÿคฏ I mean, think about it... we're living in a world where people are getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate, and now some genius scientist is like "let's just go back to eating lentils and rice"! ๐Ÿ˜‚ I'm not saying it can't work, but come on... we've got fancy diets and supplements these days too. It's all about balance, right? I mean, what about the cost of living in Nepal? 850 calories a day sounds like a joke to some people who are just trying to make ends meet. And what about the lack of access to healthy food options in rural areas? ๐Ÿค”
 
I'm thinking what's really cool about this study is that they're using traditional Nepali cuisine as a solution ๐Ÿค”! I mean, we all know how out-of-control processed foods are, so it's awesome that researchers are highlighting the importance of eating local ingredients like lentils and rice. It makes total sense that genetic predisposition plays a role in type 2 diabetes, especially for people from Asian backgrounds, but what's interesting is that this diet plan can still have a big impact even for those who aren't as genetically prone to it.

I'm also loving the fact that this approach isn't just about losing weight, but actually reversing diabetes symptoms. That's amazing ๐Ÿ’ช! And I totally get why neighboring countries are reaching out to Dr Lean for advice - this is a game-changer. The expanded study sounds like a great plan to promote healthier lifestyles in Nepal and beyond ๐ŸŒŽ
 
๐Ÿค” I'm intrigued by this ancient cuisine approach to tackling Nepal's diabetes epidemic. As someone who's been following this issue, it's clear that traditional diets can be effective in reversing type 2 diabetes... especially when combined with a weight loss plan that incorporates local ingredients like yoghurt and fruit. The fact that 87% of packaged food in Kathmandu is already above recommended nutrient thresholds is just crazy ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ. It's about time we shifted our focus from processed foods to whole, nutritious meals that actually benefit our health. This study has the potential to make a real difference, not just for Nepal but globally... we should be supporting these initiatives and exploring similar approaches in our own communities! ๐Ÿ’š
 
OMG ๐Ÿคฏ, this ancient cuisine thing is literally a game changer for Nepal's diabetes epidemic! I mean, who wouldn't want to ditch all that processed food high in sugar, fat, and salt? It's crazy how 87% of packaged foods in Kathmandu shops are above the WHO recommended thresholds... anywayz, back to the good stuff - those lentil and rice dishes are like a dream come true for weight loss! Losing 4-5 kg after just four months is def achievable, especially if you stick to that 850-calorie daily meal plan. The key is balance, right? And it's not just about the diet, avoiding all those processed foods is super important too. Let's get on board with this healthy lifestyle approach and help Nepal take control of its diabetes epidemic! ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ’ช
 
I'm not surprised that traditional Nepalese cuisine could help with the diabetes epidemic... ๐Ÿค” I mean, think about it, lentils and rice are staples for a reason! They're filling, nutritious, and super affordable. The idea that people from Asian backgrounds have a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes makes sense, but what's not making sense is how quickly we're all becoming obese in the Western world ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ. Processed foods are a major culprit here - it's crazy that 87% of packaged food sold in Kathmandu shops exceed WHO recommended thresholds for sugar, fat, and salt. I'm excited to see this study expand to create educational materials on promoting healthier lifestyles in Nepal... it's about time we got serious about addressing the root causes of diabetes, not just treating the symptoms ๐Ÿ’ช
 
omg can you imagine eating lentil soup every day for 8 weeks straight lol its like a national diet plan i feel bad for nepal but at least theyre trying something new ๐Ÿคฃ anyway it sounds like this diet works pretty well, especially since people from asian backgrounds are already genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes. maybe itll be the key to saving nepals health problems ๐Ÿ’ช
 
I'm loving this ๐Ÿคฉ! So, basically, it means if you're eating like an old-school Nepali person, with lentils and rice, you'll be way less likely to get diabetes ๐Ÿ˜…. I mean, 1 in 5 people over 40 are getting diabetes now... that's crazy! The UK study said they had to lose like 10-15 kg just to reverse it, but this Nepali plan is like, only 4-5 kg? ๐Ÿคฏ That's some math, fam! And yeah, processed foods are the enemy here - if you avoid those sugary and salty things, you'll be golden. The fact that they're getting so much attention globally is awesome... maybe we can learn from Nepal's ancient recipe book ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ’ก Did you see that 87% of packaged food in Kathmandu exceeded WHO thresholds? That's some scary stats right there ๐Ÿ˜ฒ
 
๐Ÿค” I mean, have you seen this? They're saying that ancient Nepali cuisine is the key to solving their diabetes epidemic? Lentil and rice dishes? ๐Ÿš๐Ÿฅ— That's not exactly new or revolutionary. Like, my grandma used to make those all the time and she was still alive at 102! ๐Ÿ˜‚ Anyway, I do think it's cool that they're looking into alternative solutions. Processed foods are a major contributor to obesity and diabetes, so cutting back on those is definitely a good idea. But let's not forget about portion control and regular exercise too, guys. You can't just switch to a lower-calorie diet and expect everything to be okay. It's all about balance, you know? ๐Ÿ‹๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ
 
omg did u know that ancient nepali cuisine like lentil & rice can actually help reverse diabetes? ๐Ÿคฏ it makes total sense tho since ppl from asian backgrounds r more prone 2 type 2 diabetes n all. i mean we've heard of how processed foods r ruining our health nowadays, but in nepal they're literally exceeding WHO guidelines by 87%! ๐Ÿ‘ anyway, this diet plan sounds super promising n i hope it becomes a thing everywhere ๐ŸŒŽ
 
This ancient cuisine thing is kinda interesting, but I'm not sure if it's that simple. Like, we're talking about one of the highest altitudes on earth here, folks! People are already struggling with adaptation issues, let alone a fancy diet plan ๐Ÿค”. Plus, I mean, have you seen those packaged foods in Nepal? That's just crazy talk ๐Ÿ“ฆ. But at the same time, if it can help people reverse their diabetes, that's definitely worth exploring ๐Ÿ’Š. The genetic factor is also something to consider, but we shouldn't write off Western diets entirely either ๐ŸŒŽ. I'm all for supporting local initiatives, but let's not forget to look at some of the bigger picture issues here too ๐Ÿ“ˆ.
 
I'm telling ya, this ancient Nepalese cuisine thing is giving me life ๐Ÿ˜Š! I mean, who needs all that fancy Western food when you can just go back to eating lentils and rice? It's like my grandma used to make all the time. And let me tell you, she was never diabetic ๐Ÿ™. I remember her saying, "Eat what your mother ate, and you'll be fine." I guess it stuck! This 850-calorie meal plan is actually pretty reasonable, I mean, it's not like they're eating cardboard or anything ๐Ÿž. And the fact that people from Asian backgrounds are genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes just makes sense. We've always been a bit more... let's say, "round" in this part of the world ๐Ÿ˜‰. I'm rooting for Nepal on this one!
 
I'm like totally intrigued by this ancient cuisine approach ๐Ÿค”, you know, back when people just cooked simple stuff and it turned out fine ๐Ÿ˜Š. I mean, lentils and rice might not be the sexiest combo, but if they can help reverse diabetes, that's like, super cool! And it makes sense that it'd work for Nepali folk since, well, their genes or whatever ๐Ÿ˜‚. But what really gets me is how processed food is ruining everyone's health ๐Ÿคข. Remember when we used to just eat wholesome stuff and be fine? Yeah, those were the days... I swear, with all these new-fangled diets and studies, it's like people are forgetting the old ways ๐Ÿ™ƒ.
 
Wow ๐Ÿคฏ interesting that traditional Nepalese cuisine like lentil and rice could be the answer to their diabetes epidemic ๐Ÿ˜ฒ! I mean, who wouldn't want to go back to cooking with wholesome ingredients instead of all those processed snacks? ๐Ÿ‘Œ The fact that they're getting good results from a 850-calorie daily meal plan is just crazy, lol ๐Ÿคช. And it's great to see researchers taking a holistic approach by highlighting the importance of avoiding sugary foods too ๐Ÿ’ช
 
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