India's ancient diet: Key to global health?

India's traditional eating habits, emphasizing home-cooked meals and fresh ingredients, present valuable insights for global health, according to Calley Means, a senior advisor in the U.S. health department. He noted that the worldwide increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods has contributed to a rise in lifestyle-related diseases.

Means suggested that India's centuries-old practices of mindful eating, fasting, and relying on whole foods offer a potent contrast to current global dietary trends. He stressed that the core message is simple: consume real food, not highly processed products, and prioritize nutritional basics like protein and fiber.

He added that improvements in urban children's health, including in India, hinge on eating more real food, reducing ultra-processed items, increasing physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep. Means emphasized that health is fundamentally simpler than often perceived, urging a return to fundamental practices that promote well-being.