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South Asian Food Survey

Photo: Courtesy of Aga Khan Health Board UK

The South Asian Food Survey is a research project that investigated the nutrient content of foods commonly consumed by various South Asian groups living in the United Kingdom. Initiated by the Aga Khan Health Board (UK), the project was jointly funded by the Aga Khan Foundation (UK) and the Government of the United Kingdom through the Department of Health and the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The South Asian Food Survey gathered — for the first time — information about the foods commonly eaten by South Asians in the United Kingdom. It then analysed what these dishes consisted of so that they could be nutritionally compared with government recommendations on diet and health.

The research

Undertaken as part of a PhD programme at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at King’s College, London, the research was led by Professor Patricia Judd, Dr Tashmin Kassam-Khamis, and Jane E Thomas. The study focused on foods frequently eaten by five South Asian communities in the UK: the Ismaili Muslims (most of whom migrated to England from East Africa, but whose cultural roots are of the Indian sub-continent), Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims, and the Hindu and Sikh communities.

Results of the study were published in 2000. They offer a detailed analysis of the nutritional content of commonly eaten dishes, which includes healthier, lower-fat variations.

At launch, this site offers a selection of recipes and nutrient compositions from foods eaten by the Ismaili, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. In time, the recipe library will be expanded to draw on data gathered from all communities. In addition, new recipes from different sources will be nutritionally analysed, allowing the library to reflect an even greater range of recipes.

Why is this important?

Diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke are more common in South Asian communities than among the wider UK (and European) population. The United Kingdom government and organisations such as Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation have developed guidelines that suggest recommended intake of nutrients such as fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt. These recommendations help to prevent and manage these conditions.

With the availability of nutritional data about traditional foods, healthcare professionals are better equipped to provide their patients with tailored dietary advice. In fact, data from the South Asian Food Survey is integrated into Microdiet, a nutrient analysis software system used by professional dietitians, nutritionists and advisors at leading health care institutions around the world.

In order to be useful to the general public, the South Asian Food Survey data is presented in a simple and accessible manner together with a host of authentic recipes. Each recipe includes its detailed nutrient composition.