What are people eating in South Asia?

The limited data available on diets in South Asia show low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animalsource foods, and high intake of snacks, sweet drinks, and fried foods. • Diet patterns vary by factors such as age, gender, and wealth; adolescents and men tend to consume more unhealthy foods, while wealthier groups consume more healthy foods without reducing intake of unhealthy foods. • Improving diets in South Asia requires multisectoral actions, including regulation of processed foods, school- and safety net-based interventions, and incentives for the food industry to provide healthier options. • Better data and targeted policies are essential, using advanced and traditional diet assessments to inform context-specific strategies that promote nutritious, affordable diets across diverse South Asian populations.