I am a student preparing for my exams. My weight is 95 kg and I want to reduce it to 75 kg. What diet should I consider, so that my studies are not hampered?

Eat freshly-prepared home-cooked food: This rule sounds simple, but is the most effective aide for a student. Under stress, your instinct automatically moves towards eating high sugar, salty or fatty food. Packaged foods loaded with these ingredients may look even more tempting than usual, but can get you caught in a junk-food cycle hindering your attempts at weight-loss, and lowering stamina and alertness.

Don’t miss your meals: When too busy studying, food might be the last thing on your mind, but take 15 minutes out for proper meals and eat without distractions (TV, books). Don’t skip meals and focus on eating fruits or yoghurt in between meals to keep yourself energised.

Fix sleep timings: When studying endlessly for exams, you might end up compromising on your sleep. No fixed sleeping hours is a major hurdle to weight-loss. The lack of sleep plays havoc on your hunger hormones and makes you crave more food while studying.

Move around: Exam pressure can keep you tied to your desk. Being seated for more than 30 minutes at a time can add pounds to your waistline.

Is it true that apple cider vinegar is good for weight-loss?

Apple cider vinegar is a popular pick these days with the natural health community. It is a natural preservative and can help those with type-2 diabetes, those with insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose levels. There are various wild claims on the Internet about this ‘magic’ ingredient; unfortunately, these claims are not supported by science. Our health is defined by our habits; adding or subtracting a single food rarely has a noticeable effect.

Lovneet Batra is a nutritionist, a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, USA; lecturer at IHM Pusa; a consultant to the Sports Authority of India, having counselled the Indian boxing, gymnastics, cycling ,archery teams; and a consultant at Fortis La Femme Hospital, Delhi

Nothing in this column is intended to be, and is not, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek independent advice from a licensed practitioner if you have any questions regarding a medical condition. Email us with your questions at mp_health@thehindu.co.in