Smart Calories and Common Sense : An Evidence-Based Guide to Indian Diets

Confused about calories, Indian diets, and what actually works for weight loss and long-term health?

Smart Calories and Common Sense is your practical, evidence-based guide to understanding nutrition the right way—tailored specifically for Indian lifestyles.

In a world of fad diets, misinformation, and quick fixes, this book cuts through the noise with science-backed clarity. Drawing on four decades of clinical expertise, it explains how everyday food choices influence diabetes, obesity, heart disease, fatty liver, and metabolic health—and what you can do to prevent them.

No myths. No extreme diets. Just proven nutrition science.

Inside, you’ll discover:

The truth about calories, portion control, and metabolism
What really works for weight loss and diabetes management
Evidence-based insights on keto diets, intermittent fasting, and popular Indian diet trends
The role of everyday foods like ghee, turmeric, rice, and traditional Indian meals
Explore the nutritional value of Indian foods such as jackfruit, fenugreek, and dates, along with clear guidance on vegetarian diets, plant-based nutrition, vitamins, and supplements.

With dedicated sections on gut health, immunity, liver function, brain health, and chronic disease prevention, this book is designed for health-conscious readers, doctors, and nutrition professionals seeking practical and sustainable diet solutions.

If you want to understand calories, improve your eating habits, and follow an Indian diet that truly supports your health, this book gives you the clarity and confidence to make the right choices every day.

Dr Anoop Misra is chairman of the Fortis-C-Doc Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Endocrinology, New Delhi, and director of the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC) as well as the Diabetes Foundation (India). An alumnus and former professor of medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, he received advanced training at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
He has served on several national advisory panels on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and nutrition, and has been a key adviser to the Ministry of Health, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition.
With over forty years of experience in clinical care, teaching, research, and public health, Dr Misra has published more than 400 scientific papers. According to Stanford University (2023-2024), he ranks among the top 2 per cent of scientists globally and is the #1 researcher in India in the fields of diabetes, obesity, and nutrition.
He is editor-in-chief of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews (Elsevier) and serves on several international editorial boards. A recipient of the Padma Shri and the Dr B.C. Roy Award, he leads the 'Diabetes Care at Doorsteps' programme for the underprivileged. He is the author of Diabetes with Delight and Diabetes ke Saath Khushaal Jeevan (Bloomsbury).
He firmly believes that everyone-especially underserved populations with diabetes-should have access to quality care and that obesity must be recognised and managed as a chronic disease. He remains committed to discovering ways to prevent and treat these conditions and to improving the lives of those affected.