Medical professionals in Nepal are now advocating a return to traditional dietary practices, namely the consumption of lentils and rice, in response to a burgeoning diabetes epidemic fueled by the adoption of Western junk food diets. With one in five individuals over the age of 40 affected by type 2 diabetes, there is a growing urgency to find effective solutions, particularly given the high costs associated with diabetes medication in Nepal.

Dr. Ashish Tamang, a resident doctor in Kathmandu, highlights the profound impact diabetes has on families, describing it as not merely a health issue but a significant socio-economic burden. The alarming rates of diabetes can result in serious health complications, including kidney disease, limb loss, and blindness, posing a threat to longevity and quality of life. The emergence of diabetes as a quiet epidemic in Nepal has sparked initiatives to explore non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Recent pilot studies have provided promising results; one conducted with 70 patients in Kathmandu reported a 43% remission rate in individuals with long-standing diabetes through the implementation of a calorie-controlled traditional diet. Such studies are critical, as they not only highlight traditional foods' potential to enhance health outcomes but also advocate for a sustainable and culturally congruent approach to managing chronic diseases in Nepal's context, particularly in rural areas where traditional foods are still prevalent and more accessible.