Nepal faces a diabetes crisis with 20% of people over 40 having type 2 diabetes. Doctors say a return to traditional lentil and rice dishes, called dal bhat, could be the key to beating it. Many can’t afford diabetes medicines, and the disease often causes serious problems like kidney failure, blindness, or limb loss. A pilot study in Kathmandu showed 43% of long-term diabetes patients improved by following a low calorie traditional diet. Another trial with 120 villagers showed half were diabetes-free after four months, losing just 4-5 kg. Professor Mike Lean from the University of Glasgow said, "It is very early days but around half are free from diabetes at four months." Nepalese patients need to lose less weight to reverse diabetes than UK patients, making the task easier. Participants cut calories to 850 per day for eight weeks, eating simple meals like yoghurt with fruit, and dal bhat for main meals. Then they switched to a higher calorie version to maintain their weight. The program uses local foods, avoids western junk food, and is supported by community health volunteers. About 87% of shop-bought packaged foods in Kathmandu exceed WHO limits for sugar, fat, and salt. Lean bluntly called the diet "way more effective than any drug or medicine". He also urges switching back to brown rice to get more nutrients like Vitamin B1. The project, with funding from the Howard Foundation, continues research while educating people about diabetes risks. Lean blames rising diabetes on junk food spreading as transport improved. Neighbouring countries are keen to adopt this plan if proven successful. "If this works in Nepal, it will work for us," officials said to Lean at conferences.