Episode 86. Low Carb in Asian Diets: Insights from Dr. Nelum

In this episode, I’m joined once again by my good friend and fellow GP, Dr. Nelu Dharmapriya from Whole Food Revolution. She's a passionate advocate for metabolic health and low carb living—especially in South Asian and Asian communities like ours.

As two doctors with cultural backgrounds from Sri Lanka and China, we opened up about the unique challenges (and opportunities!) we face when it comes to food, family, and health. This one’s close to my heart 💚

💡 What We Talked About:

• Why people from Asian and South Asian backgrounds are at higher risk for metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes—even if they’re not overweight.
• Dr. Nelu’s personal experience reversing pre-diabetes and improving her health through low carb living—and how that journey mirrored my own.
• The concept of TOFI (thin on the outside, fat on the inside)—a common but hidden issue in our communities.
• The truth about rice, fried foods, sugary drinks, and constant snacking—and what small changes can actually make a difference.
• How to prioritise protein (even for vegetarians) and why it matters so much for our long-term health.
• The cultural challenges we face at social gatherings, with family expectations, and inherited habits—and how we can lovingly challenge those norms.
• The role of fasting, resistance training, and mindset work as part of true lifestyle change.

Stories + Resources

Dr. Nelu also shared:

• A powerful story of a Melbourne-based South Asian engineer who transformed his metabolic health after attending her workshop.
• A South Asian woman who found healing not just through food, but also by shifting her mindset and stress habits.
• A free online hub of resources for South Asians (and everyone!) wanting to take charge of their health.

Links + Resources Mentioned

🧠 Access Dr. Nelu’s free resources and courses: Whole Food Revolution

📺 YouTube: Whole Food Revolution

📘 My Free eBook – Low Carb Made Easy: www.mlcclinic.com.au

Connect with Me

• Instagram: @dr_charlton_lifestyle_gp
• Website: www.mlcclinic.com.au
• Facebook: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP

Join the Community

💬 Share this with someone who might need to hear it—especially if they come from our cultural background.

🧠 Join my free Facebook group Melbourne Low Carb Connect for support, recipes, and real conversations.

🎧 And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more people with this message.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for general educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before making any major changes to your lifestyle.