Balanced Indian Plate ICMR-NIN recommended | Almost everyone — weight loss, maintenance, family meals | 50% sabzi/salad + 25% protein + 25% carb (roti/rice). Calorie controlled. | ★★★★★ High | ★★★★★ ICMR-NIN 2024 guidelines |
Low-GI Indian Diabetes / PCOS | Diabetes, PCOS, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes | Replace high-GI foods (white rice, maida) with low-GI (jowar, ragi, bajra, dalia). | ★★★★ High | ★★★★★ ADA & PCOS Guidelines 2023 |
DASH-Indian Fusion Hypertension & heart | High BP, heart disease, stroke prevention | Low sodium, high potassium, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy adapted to Indian foods. | ★★★★ High | ★★★★★ NIH & AHA strongly recommended |
Mediterranean-Indian Hybrid All-cause prevention | Heart disease, cholesterol, anti-inflammation, long-term health | Olive oil & mustard oil, nuts, seeds, fish, legumes, vegetables, whole grains. | ★★★★ High | ★★★★★ Lancet 2024 — top-ranked diet pattern |
Intermittent Fasting (16:8) Time-restricted eating | Weight loss, insulin resistance — when meal structure helps | Eat in 8-hour window, fast for 16 hours. Quality of food still matters. | ★★★ Moderate | ★★★★ Equivalent to calorie restriction |
Low-FODMAP For IBS only | IBS — diagnosed by gastroenterologist | Short-term elimination then re-introduction. Not for general use. | ★★★ Time-limited | ★★★★ Monash University, NICE IBS guidelines |
Keto / Very Low Carb Should be supervised | Specific medical use (refractory epilepsy, some metabolic conditions) | <50 g carbs/day. Hard to follow on Indian food without imported items. | ★ Low | ★★ Short-term weight loss but high rebound |
Crash / Very Low Calorie Not recommended | — | Below 1,200 kcal (women) / 1,500 (men). Rapid weight loss. | ✕ Rebounds | ✕ 85% regain weight within 2 years |