Expert: Get rid of fad diets, concentrate on taking healthy food

Nagpur: Healthy food habits, nutritious and balanced diet alone can help people lose weight and not the fads many of them indulge in, said Dr Varsha, found chair of Indian Institute of Nutritional Sciences on Saturday..
She was speaking on ‘Weight reduction- nutrient myths’ at XVII annual scientific conclave, organized by the Nagpur chapter of Nutrition Society of India at the department of pharmaceutical sciences of Nagpur University.
People often believe that diets like Keto, Atkins, vegan and Paleo will help lose weight. Even the brand of diet control Dr Dixit and Divekar promote will not work in the long run, claimed Dr Varsha, a dietitian.
“Losing weight is not the linear process. It’s a long-term process full of fluctuations. Body composition keeps changing and weight management is all about coping with these changes,” she said.
Fad diets are unhealthy ways of losing weight. Indians should concentrate on traditional food rather than the ones based pm calories, Dr Varsha said. “What is the point of eating corn flex in breakfast when we already have better option like rice flex (poha) in our kitchens since generations? Indians have their own body types, metabolism and we should not apply western parameters for the purpose,” she said.
Earlier, pro vice-chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) Dr Mohan Khamgaonkar inaugurated the event. Dr A Laxmaiah, scientist ‘G’ and head, public health, NIN-ICMR, delivered a keynote address. Talks on nutrition related subjects, poster and oral paper presentations also marked the daylong event.