Researchers in Nepal tested whether people with type 2 diabetes could go into remission (where their diabetes improves so much they might not need medicine) by eating a special low-calorie diet made from traditional Nepali foods. They interviewed 16 people who tried this diet for 8 weeks to understand what helped them stick with it and what made it hard. Most people liked the diet and were motivated by wanting to stop taking pills and lose weight. The study found that success depended on having someone to help cook, getting clear instructions, and having regular check-ins with doctors. However, people struggled during holidays and travel, and some believed myths about which foods were good for diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people in Nepal could successfully follow a low-calorie traditional diet to help their type 2 diabetes improve, and what factors helped or hurt their ability to stick with it
  • Who participated: 16 people with type 2 diabetes from Nepal who had completed 8 weeks of a special low-calorie diet program
  • Key finding: Most participants found the traditional Nepali low-calorie diet acceptable and were motivated to try it, but success required family support for cooking, clear information from doctors, and regular guidance. People struggled most during travel and social events.
  • What it means for you: If you have type 2 diabetes and live in South Asia or eat similar foods, a low-calorie traditional diet may help you improve your diabetes control. However, you’ll need support from family, clear instructions from your doctor, and strategies for handling special occasions and travel.

The Research Details

This was a qualitative study, which means researchers asked people detailed questions and listened to their stories rather than just measuring numbers. Researchers invited 16 people who had completed 8 weeks of a low-calorie diet program to sit down for one-on-one interviews. The interviews were conducted in Nepali (the local language) and were recorded and written down word-for-word. Researchers then looked for common themes and patterns in what people said about their experience.

This type of study is useful for understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind people’s choices and experiences. Instead of just knowing whether a diet works, researchers wanted to know what made it easier or harder for real people to follow the diet in their daily lives.

Understanding people’s real-world experiences is just as important as knowing whether a treatment works in a lab. This study helps doctors and health programs design better support systems for people trying to manage their diabetes through diet. By learning what barriers people face and what helps them succeed, future programs can be more effective.

This study has some important strengths and limitations to understand. The strength is that it gives us real, detailed information about people’s actual experiences with the diet in Nepal. However, the sample size is small (only 16 people), so the findings may not apply to everyone. The study was also part of a larger research project, so these 16 people may have been more motivated than the general population. Additionally, this is qualitative research, which provides insights but not statistical proof.

What the Results Show

All 16 participants found the low-calorie traditional Nepali diet generally acceptable and easy to understand. Their main reasons for joining the program were: wanting to stop taking diabetes medications (the strongest motivation), wanting better control of their diabetes, and wanting to lose weight.

Participants who succeeded best had several things in common: they understood how serious diabetes could be and believed that diet could actually help treat it, they had family members who could help prepare meals, they received clear written or verbal instructions about what to eat, and they had regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers who gave them ongoing support and encouragement.

The diet itself was seen as practical because it used familiar, traditional Nepali foods that people already knew how to cook. This made it much easier to follow compared to diets with unfamiliar ingredients.

The study identified several significant barriers to success. Participants struggled most when traveling, during family celebrations, and at social gatherings where traditional foods were served. During these times, people felt pressure to eat foods that weren’t part of their diet plan. Additionally, many participants held beliefs about certain foods being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for diabetes that weren’t always accurate. These false beliefs sometimes made people avoid healthy foods or eat unhealthy ones. Healthcare providers’ involvement was very important—when doctors and nurses stayed involved and supportive, people did better.

This research adds important information to what we already know about diabetes remission diets. Most previous studies on this topic have been done in wealthy countries like the UK and Australia. This Nepal study shows that the same basic approach (eating less to lose weight and improve diabetes) can work in South Asia when adapted to local foods and culture. It confirms that the diet itself isn’t the only factor—the support system around the person matters just as much.

This study is small (only 16 people), so we can’t say these findings apply to everyone with type 2 diabetes in Nepal or South Asia. The people who agreed to be interviewed may have been more motivated or had better experiences than those who didn’t participate. The study only looked at people’s experiences after 8 weeks, so we don’t know if they continued following the diet long-term. Additionally, this was a qualitative study focused on understanding experiences rather than measuring outcomes, so it doesn’t tell us exactly how many people achieved diabetes remission or how much weight they lost.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 2 diabetes and live in South Asia or eat similar foods: A low-calorie diet using traditional foods may help improve your diabetes and potentially reduce your need for medication. However, success requires: (1) family support for meal preparation, (2) clear, consistent information from your doctor about what to eat, (3) regular check-in appointments with healthcare providers, and (4) a plan for handling special occasions and travel. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on people’s experiences, not yet on large-scale studies.

This research is most relevant for people with type 2 diabetes in South Asia (Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) or those who eat similar traditional foods. It’s also useful for healthcare providers and public health programs in these regions. People with type 1 diabetes should not follow this approach without medical supervision. Anyone considering a major diet change should talk to their doctor first, especially if they take diabetes medications.

Based on this study, people followed the diet for 8 weeks. Some people may see improvements in their blood sugar levels within 2-4 weeks, while weight loss and significant diabetes improvement typically take 8-12 weeks. Long-term success (maintaining improvements for months or years) requires ongoing support and lifestyle changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily adherence to the low-calorie traditional diet by logging meals and noting any deviations. Also track weekly weight and, if possible, blood sugar readings. Include a ‘barrier log’ to note when you struggled (travel, social events, etc.) so you can plan better strategies.
  • Set up weekly reminders for doctor check-ins or health coach calls. Create a meal prep schedule with family members who can help cook. Use the app to store approved meal recipes and shopping lists in your local language. Set alerts for high-risk situations (upcoming travel or social events) to plan ahead.
  • Weekly: Log meals and weight. Monthly: Review adherence patterns and identify recurring barriers. Quarterly: Check blood sugar levels with your doctor and adjust the plan if needed. Track motivation levels and reasons for any lapses to maintain long-term commitment.

This research describes people’s experiences with a low-calorie diet for type 2 diabetes in Nepal. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Before making any changes to your diet or diabetes medications, you must consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. This study involved only 16 people and focused on their experiences rather than measuring medical outcomes. Do not stop taking diabetes medications without your doctor’s approval. If you have type 1 diabetes, kidney disease, or are pregnant, this approach may not be appropriate for you. Results may vary based on individual health conditions, medications, and circumstances.