India Prepares to Host First-Ever Low-Carb Diet Conference to Address Health Concerns and Promote Healthy Dietary Habits

Published on November 2, 2023, 11:10 am

India Prepares to Host First-Ever Low-Carb Diet Conference to Address Health Concerns and Promote Healthy Dietary Habits

India is gearing up to host its first-ever low-carb diet conference, the Metabolic Health Conference. With rising concerns about obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, this conference aims to address misconceptions about low-carb diets and emphasize their safety and effectiveness. Organized by Shashikant R Iyengar of Metabolic Health India and Anup Singh from dLife.in, the three-day event will bring together pioneers in the field of metabolic health and low-carb nutrition.

What exactly is a low-carb diet? It involves reducing the intake of carbohydrates, especially processed foods, sugary treats, and grains. Instead, one consumes whole foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. In Indian dietary habits, a limit of 100 grams of carbs per day is recommended. This allows for flexibility while still promoting a low-carb lifestyle.

The traditional ketogenic diet is high in fats with minimal protein and extremely low quantities of carbs. However, variations such as the “modified” Atkins diet feature higher protein content. The terms “low carb” and “keto” are often used interchangeably but have technical differences. Keto diets typically allow around 30 grams of carbs per day while low-carb diets can go up to 100 grams for those in good metabolic health.

It’s important to note that proteins play a significant role in low-carb diets alongside carb and fat intake. Unlike strict ketogenic diets that limit carb intake to 20-50 grams per day, moderate-low carb approaches allow for more flexibility. Adapting to a very low carb limit like 30 grams per day may be challenging for many individuals in the Indian context.

Transitioning to a new diet shouldn’t be abrupt; changes should be made gradually over time. A variety of food options can be incorporated into each meal while keeping track of daily carb intake.

The focus of the low-carb diet isn’t on eliminating carbs entirely but reducing them and emphasizing protein intake. Real, unprocessed food consumption is encouraged, and high-carb foods like roti and rice can be reduced instead of eliminated.

For breakfast, options include eggs with salads or dishes made with pulses for vegetarians. Lunch can consist of protein-rich foods like hung curd or paneer, along with a variety of vegetables and small portions of grains. Dinner should emphasize low-carb and high-protein dishes such as paneer-based options for vegetarians and meat-based options for non-vegetarians.

The conference aims to provide a platform for international collaboration, with speakers from 15 countries sharing their knowledge on low-carb diets. Renowned experts in the field such as Dr. Eric Westman and Dr. David Unwin will be among the lineup of speakers.

To ensure maximum reach, the conference will be accessible virtually through a dedicated platform and live-streamed on YouTube. Organizers have made registration free to eliminate financial barriers and democratize access to vital health information.

In conclusion, India’s first low-carb diet conference aims to address health concerns related to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension by providing valuable insights into low-carb diets and promoting healthy dietary habits. By bringing together experts in metabolic health from around the world, this conference hopes to shed light on the safety and effectiveness of low-carb diets while providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.