Why South Asians Should Consider Health Coaching
Many South Asians living in the UK and beyond are juggling busy work lives, family responsibilities, and cultural expectations. This is all while facing some of the highest risks globally for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Despite the overwhelming health advice available, what’s often missing is something more relevant, which truly respects our culture, lifestyle, and daily challenges. That’s where health coaching for South Asians comes in.
As a health behaviour consultant, I know how culturally tailored health coaching can create real, lasting change. Not through restriction, guilt, or “one-size-fits-all” plans, but through understanding, empathy, and small, meaningful shifts in everyday habits.
“They actually listened to me.”
When coaching is aligned with a person’s cultural identity, people often describe a powerful shift: they feel heard.
In one New Zealand study (Iqbal, 2018), South Asian clients shared that their coaches “worked from the client’s agenda”, not preaching, but collaborating. The goals weren’t generic. They were built around real life: from managing dietary changes during religious fasting, to adjusting meal routines without disrupting family traditions.
This person-centred approach builds trust. When clients feel understood and respected, they’re more motivated to stay engaged and take ownership of their health.
Setting Goals That Fit Your Life
In coaching sessions, South Asians are supported to:
Reflect on what’s really getting in the way (e.g. cravings, work stress, or family expectations)
Decide what they’re ready to change, and when
Set small, sustainable steps that match their routine
These goals might look like:
Swapping one oily snack for a roasted version
Taking a walk after dinner with family
Planning ahead for weddings or social events to stay on track without missing out
You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Food
A common question people say is “Do I have to stop eating Indian food to manage my health?”. Absolutely not.
The goal of culturally aware coaching is not to erase your food culture, it’s to help you enjoy it in healthier, balanced ways.
A coach can guide you to:
Use less ghee or oil in cooking without compromising flavour
Increase fibre using dals, vegetables, and whole spices
Swap fried snacks for oven-roasted or air-fried versions
Navigate portion sizes and sugar in sweets during festivals
What also makes it easier to eat well at home is healthy Indian cooking and family meal planning tips. It’s important to make behaviour change practical, not painful..
Culturally Familiar Movement
Exercise doesn’t have to mean gyms or running. In fact, some of the most successful coaching programs for South Asians include:
Bhangra or Bollywood-style dance fitness
Walking clubs with friends or aunties
Beginner yoga or chair stretches at home
Group classes held in gurdwaras, temples, or community centres
When physical activity feels joyful, social, and culturally familiar, people are far more likely to stick with it.
It’s Backed by Results
Culturally tailored coaching isn’t just a “nice idea”, it works.
Studies show that when South Asians take part in programs designed with their culture in mind, they see meaningful health improvements. For example:
A 6-month coaching program led to a 0.43% drop in HbA1c, a key blood sugar marker.
Others reported better blood pressure, better cholesterol profile and more energy.
Many participants increase their weekly physical activity without having to overhaul their whole lifestyle
Behaviour changes lead to improved eating habits, such as eating more fruit and vegetables and decreasing of sugary foods
These aren’t dramatic overnight changes. They’re steady, achievable shifts that make a big difference over time. Especially when it comes to preventing or managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.
So, Why Should You Consider Health Coaching?
If you’re South Asian and:
Feel overwhelmed by all the health advice online
Want to prevent or manage diabetes, high blood pressure, or cholesterol
Want to improve your health without giving up your food, culture, or social life
…then coaching might be the support you’ve been missing.
It’s not a strict diet. It’s not a one-size-fits-all programme. It’s a partnership; one that understands the unique pressures and strengths of South Asian life, and helps you take control of your wellbeing in a way that’s achievable, flexible, and respectful of your identity.
Final Thoughts
Culturally aware health coaching is more than just a service; it’s a tool for empowerment. It helps people make realistic, personalised changes to improve their health and prevent future disease, without sacrificing the values and traditions they hold dear. The SehatSpark journey embeds coaching on your path to better health.
So, if you’re interested in finding out more, check out this page, or fill out this short form to get started today.
Reference: Iqbal, H. (2018). The Experiences of a Multi-ethnic Group of Participants Engaging in Health and Wellness Coaching: results from the PREVENTS Study (Doctoral dissertation, Auckland University of Technology).