#LoseSensibly: That Diet May Be Killing You!

 

Weight loss programmes, crash diets and severe cut down on basic nutrients that our body and metabolism require can lead to severe complications.

Weight loss can be achieved through sensible means. This does not call for extreme measures, say Pune’s fitness experts and enthusiasts, who universally advise caution on adopting diets that promise rapid loss:

 

Take the recent case of a 33-year-old female who was reported to have followed extreme measures to achieve rapid weight loss, that left her with a brain disorder. She is now unable to speak, walk, or sit after she followed a rigorous liquid based diet for 21 days.

Pune365 spoke to citizens and experts to get their perspective on diets and their possible medical impact in order to caution our readers on the perils of shortcuts to rapid weight loss.

A city-based dietician says “A healthy balanced diet is a vital way of maintaining good health.

Yet, today when it comes to dieting, people believe that by just eating less or restricting fat, you will lose weight sensibly…

The first and the most important factor before you start your diet is to decide on who to rely on for professional advise. Often, people consult unqualified dieticians and quacks who end up giving advise that can seriously impact your overall health.

A trained nutritionist takes into account several factors before prescribing a diet to an individual. The diet will consist of macro and micro-nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, she adds.

“Your diet will be decided on your goal. It is important to be healthy yet, opting for the right food mix is essential,” says Mayur Kubadia, Gym Trainer.

Water intake is necessary, but it is never sensible to follow only a water or liquid based diet. When you are going on a diet, dieticians calculate the calorie intake you need which must be taken with lots of water. The diet chart is prepared after considering the individuals health history and the nutrients needed.

You need to eat every two hours to lose weight, be it a fruit, a sandwich or a proper meal. No sensible dietician recommends fasting to lose weight.

“Dietary supplements have become important nowadays. A food supplement is a product that an individual requires if he/ she is unable to get the nutrients from her daily food intake. People can also take supplements like ALCAR to help with healthy weight loss and boost athletic performance. However, it is equally important to follow the rainbow diet since popping pills and tablets can never replace the balanced diet.” he adds.

“I was following a strict fitness regime, but in the greed to have muscles at a faster pace, I ended up going through many surgeries,” says Rohit, Student.

A year back I came across this quick, yet perilous method of gaining muscle and strength. I consumed Anabolic steroids as prescribed by my trainer in the Gym, without being informed about the ill-effects of it.

I had several cysts in my body after consuming these steroids regularly, No doubt I had fabulous muscles, but I had to pay a lot to overcome the issues caused because of it.

“So, I think people should go for natural and healthy diets instead of supplements and steroids,” he adds.

“If anything is over consumed, it is bound to have dangerous side effects. Not even a stupid dietician will ask people to go purely on a water diet,” Says Mazhar Patel, Fitness Enthusiast

It is a misconception that people believe, that fasting for days will help you lose weight. In most of the cases, dieting is not even required for the initial few months, if you are regularly exercising.

We eat healthy to avoid future chronic disease and moreover, not everybody wants a zero figure and big biceps.

“Dietary supplements are required at times, but not essential. If an individual has to gain muscles then yes, it is needed because we lack enough nutrients in our daily diet. Water is significant, since with exercise we lose water from the body and unless replenished, it can lead to kidney complications.”

“Steroids are definitely not suggested, as it has many long-term and short-term side effects.” he adds.