Packet food, daily damage: global heart body flags diet risk as India’s crisis grows | India News

New Delhi: That evening snack, that quick packet meal, that sugary drink you don’t think twice about — doctors say they’re quietly creating your next health crisis.The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a stark warning that an increasing reliance on everyday eating habits, especially highly processed foods, is fueling heart disease, diabetes and early death.The warning, published as the 2026 Scientific Statement, comes at a time when India’s disease burden is already on the rise. Cardiovascular diseases account for about 28% of all deaths, while more than 100 million people are living with diabetes, with millions more at risk. “One in five deaths in India is directly attributable to poor diet,” says Dr Ambuj Roy, professor of cardiology at AIIMS, Delhi.In its latest guidance, the AHA shifts the conversation away from diet trends and quickly corrects what people actually eat every day. It calls for a diet built around vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, along with healthy protein sources like pulses, beans, nuts, and fish. It recommends replacing butter and animal fats with plant-based oils and choosing minimally processed foods.Dr Roy said such policies could be adapted locally. He points to the Mediterranean diet as a proven model for reducing heart risk, adding that a similar anti-inflammatory Indian diet can be prepared using locally available ingredients such as mustard oil, groundnut oil, seasonal fruits, vegetables, millets, lemons, almonds and traditional spices. “Cutting out ready-to-eat packaged foods, biscuits and sweets can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 30%,” he said.At the same time, the AHA urges limiting ultra-processed foods, added sugars, excess salt and saturated fat. Packaged foods, sugary drinks, refined flour items and processed meats are major contributors to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Echoing this, Dr Ravinder Goswami, Department of Endocrinology, AIIMS, said conditions like diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease often overlap and require similar lifestyle changes. She emphasizes portion control—”eat a little less than you’re hungry”—along with mindful eating and avoiding distractions like screens during meals.He also cautioned against refined carbohydrates like flour-based foods and suggested cutting down on deep-fried items and reheated oils. Choosing whole fruit over juice and choosing roasted over fried snacks can make a significant difference, she says.Urban lifestyles are increasing the risk, food supply and fast-paced commerce have made high-calorie, high-salt foods easily accessible. The AHA also recommends limiting alcohol and says people should not start drinking for heart benefits.“Simple habits like daily walking, sunlight exposure and watching your weight are just as important as what you eat,” says Dr. Goswami, adding that visible weight gain itself is a warning sign.Doctors say the risk builds over time through daily habits, not occasional indulgences, and with lifestyle diseases on the rise among young Indians, what you eat every day shapes your long-term health.