Dietary carbohydrates form the major source of energy in Asian diets. Carbohydrate quantity and quality play vital functions in the prevention and management of diabetes. The purpose of a recent article published in The Indian Journal of Medical Research was to review evidence related to dietary carbohydrates and prevalence and incidence of T2D and metabolic syndrome (MS) in control of diabetes, as well as their role in complications of diabetes. The authors stated that cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that higher carbohydrate diets are linked to higher prevalence and incidence of T2D. This association seems to be stronger in Asian-Indians consuming diets high in carbohydrates and more marked on a background of obesity. While there is also evidence for high carbohydrate diets and risk for MS and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the quality of carbohydrates is equally important. Complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, legumes, pulses and green leafy vegetables are good carbs. Conversely, highly polished rice or refined wheat, sugar, glucose, highly processed foods such as cookies and pastries, fruit juice and sweetened beverages and fried potatoes are not. Besides, a balanced diet with moderate consumption are mainstay in the prevention of metabolic diseases. It was recommended that for Indians who currently consume about 65-75% of calories from carbohydrates, reducing this to 50-55% and adding enough protein (20-25%), especially from vegetable sources and the rest from fat (20-30%) by including monounsaturated fats, for instance, groundnut or mustard oil, nuts and seeds, along with a plenty of green leafy vegetables, would be the best diet prescription for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases such as T2D and CVD.