The internet has become a storm of whirlwind trends, and diets have taken centre stage. With so much information readily available at their fingertips, people are tempted to become their own nutritionists. People often come across friends or family members who have started a particular diet and noticed drastic results and are tempted to try these diets for a quick fix to any health problems they may have. This disregards the importance of understanding the individual needs of one’s body and acts like a band-aid to a problem that requires surgery. With the world moving at such a rapid pace, it is challenging for people to take out a lot of time to tend to their health, and diets are the ‘perfect fix’- solving problems while supposedly not taking a lot of effort. The answer to the question of what diet works best for whom is closer to home than one may think (literally).

 

Dr Geeta Verma, an Ayurvedic doctor, commented “In Ayurveda, Upvasa (fasting) is used as a treatment therapy for various issues like fever, gastric problems, and also for weight management. It is beneficial for those looking to reduce weight, and it is customised as per the needs of the individual. Nowadays, people get carried away by new types of diets and spend enormous amounts of money on them. Unfortunately, they may end up with adverse side effects. Some keto diets (diets that involve cutting off carbohydrates so the body is forced to burn fat rather than glucose for energy) are high in fat. They can increase the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, worsen symptoms of acid reflux, liver disease, and weakened bones among others. If a person with vata/pitta prakruti fasts for long hours, it may result in weakness, headache, fainting, malnutrition, dehydration, among other things.” Uninformed dieting comes at its own cost. People often associate dieting with eating less rather than eating right. According to Dr Kavita Gupta, a clinical dietitian and certified diabetes educator, one must not fast while leading an unhealthy lifestyle, hoping it will help them reach their desired weight goals.

 

She recommends fasting smartly- starting one’s day early, adopting mindful eating practices, and eating a balanced meal with controlled portions. She also lays stress on the importance of being physically active throughout the day, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep. “Intermittent fasting, when done during the active phase of the day, can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and assist in weight management. Lifestyle management is of utmost importance even while dieting. A lot of young girls, especially to-be brides opt for such diets, and because they do not pay attention to the nutritional intake and lifestyle, they end up suffering from fatigue, irritability, insomnia, nausea, headaches, among other things.” Besides, every diet has its limitations. Dr Gupta adds that she would not recommend a diet to anyone without taking into account comorbid conditions like Type II diabetes, heart conditions, hypertension, or any other risk factors.

 

Diets must be adopted only after consultation with a qualified dietitian and under medical supervision by a doctor. Rashida Juzer, a resident of Nagpur, said “I typically fast for two months in a year, from sunrise to sunset, around 12-14 hours a day. I enjoy fasting because apart from the spiritual benefits, I see a significant improvement in my mood and energy levels. I do not feel fatigued during or after my fasts, and because I do it with my family, loved ones, and community as a whole, I enjoy doing it even more.” Our skin and hair are reflections of what is happening inside our body. Dr Puja Dharmik, Dermatologist, thinks that people often jump into these fad diets without understanding whether their bodies are ready for it. If done incorrectly, they will miss out on a lot of essential macro and micro nutrients which will in turn have a disastrous effect on their skin and hair health. “Before starting any diet, one should check their thyroid level, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, iron, and blood sugar. If not taken into account, deficiency of any of these may lead to fatigue, weakness, a hampered immune system, excessive hairfall, dull skin, and an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone.”

 

Dr Dharmik also stresses the importance of eating traditional food. “A traditional Maharashtrian thali includes dal, roti, sabzi, chawal, and a salad which is a well-balanced meal. One can find a good amount of protein in paneer, tofu, and sprouts as well. There is no need to eat fancy grains like quinoa that are not native to Indian cuisine. One must keep in mind their geographical footprint when considering what food habits are best for sustainable weight management.” The pressure of having an ideal body type is no doubt overwhelming, but it is important to prioritise long-term health and well-being over fleeting trends. Traditional dietary practices, when followed correctly, offer a wealth of knowledge conducive to sustainable weight management. True wellness is a journey, not a destination. By approaching food with mindfulness and moderation one can develop a healthy relationship with eating that goes beyond the allure of achieving the ‘perfect body’. n

 

 

Beyond the binge There is also the issue of sustainability. People opt for highly restrictive diets and once in a while, they treat themselves to a cheat meal that turns into a full-blown junk food binge. Instead of that, Dr Gupta recommends starting small. Rather than depriving oneself of food one enjoys and then bingeing on junk food, one can choose healthier options, like opting for a mixture of bajra, jowar, and besan base instead of a maida version, and adding more vegetables and protein. This way, one can let their body be satisfied with the meal while also eating healthy, and take small steps to eliminate hyper-processed food from their lives.

 

Rest, don’t restrict Dr Pramod Gandhi, an endocrinologist, strongly advises against keto diets as they are harmful in the long run. Rather than that, small, frequent meals with fewer calories while maintaining optimal nutritional intake is the most sustainable way to manage weight in the long run. This has been proved beyond doubt in various long-term studies. Compromising on essential nutrients will result in hormonal irregularities in the long run. Rather than that, a vrat or upwas is a means to provide rest to our pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Dr Sunil Ambulkar, an endocrinologist, also says that giving your gastrointestinal tract and pancreas a rest once in a while will do wonders to help your body relax, and fasting once in a while will help one do so.