Social media has given the power of proclamation to anyone under the sun. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can get online and preach what they think is the right way to live life. Unfortunately, this unchecked advice and claims are extremely dangerous for the rest of us especially when they concern our physical and mental health. The masses stand to lose tons if they get influenced by online fads and trends that are not followed by the very people who preach them.
Discussing the same, OnlyMyHealth conducted a panel discussion titled, ‘Diet Fads Vs Sustainable Weight Loss,’ at their Poshan Summit 2023, with State Partner The Government of Punjab, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Partner TAC- The Ayurveda Company, Hydration Partner Fast&Up, and Partner NVEDA.
Drawbacks of Diet Fads
Introducing the panel, Smriti Rastogi, Political Editor, JagranTV, said, “Weight loss diet fads may offer quick fixes, but they often come with drawbacks. Sustainable weight loss on the other hand promotes healthier habits and gradual progress making it a more reliable and effective approach in the journey to a healthier weight and overall well-being.”
Moderating the panel, Vani Malik, Content Lead- Health, Jagran New Media, introduced the eminent panel of fitness influencers, namely Dt Vidhi Chawala, Dietician, Mom Influencer and Founder, Fisico Diet Clinic, Rashmi Rai, fitness influencer, Gunjan Taneja, Founder, I’MWOW, online fitness and nutrition community, and Slaoni, Nutritionist & Weight Loss Specialist.
Initiating the discussion, Malik posed her first question to Dt Chawala, asking how safe it is to follow diet fads found online, without consulting a specialist. “No one should ever follow any diets without consulting an expert because it's not only about weight loss, it's also a matter of your health. The purpose of weight loss is to improve your health. But these fad diets only consider weight loss putting your immunity at stake. Hence, it is essential to go to a certified expert and get a personalised diet plan.”
Importance Of Exercising While Following A Weight Loss Diet
Rai then informed the attendees about the importance of exercising when following a weight-loss diet. “You can never outdo a bad diet. Even after a one-hour session of heavy weight lifting, an ideal person will burn 700 to 800 calories. All this effort can be neutralised by a mere one-and-a-half brownie. So you have to understand, that if you are exercising to compensate for unhealthy and fattening foods, it will never happen,” she informed.
Explaining that diet and exercise play very different roles in maintaining health and fitness, she added, “The purpose of diet is to nourish your body, whereas exercising is to keep you active and give you physical strength. There is a reason why fad diets or fad workouts are labelled so. If they were credible, they wouldn’t ever go out of trend and instead be backed up by doctors and certified experts.”
Perils of a Quick Fix Weight Loss Plan
Posing a question to Taneja, Malik asked, “You have founded a community where you have trained and transformed so many people. What sort of mentality have you sensed in the people who have come to you for weight loss and what has been your approach towards their challenges?”
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Taneja replied, “One common thing that I have witnessed in many people who approach me, is a strong desire to change their physical appearance. Unfortunately, a lot of them approach me with unrealistic expectations and want instant results. Most of these people show fairly obvious signs of self-doubt and low self-esteem. Then there are some who initiate this process with a lot of frustration and want shortcuts to see quick results. It is very important for people to understand that holistic well-being is the way to go. These quick fixes are so harmful for the body, that you may achieve your ideal weight, but how long can you maintain it by following the same fad diet? Being slim is not worth compromising your health.”
Adding to the sentiments shared by Taneja, Saloni elucidated, “When we search weight loss plans on YouTube, the top videos are always about losing 10 kgs in a month, or some other such shocking content. These videos being at the top are a symbol of their popularity and are monumental in spreading harmful information to people who are desperate for a solution. Secondly, no particular diet or workout plan can suit everyone. Every human has a different biological makeup and hence unique health requirements.”
The panel collectively advised the attendees to not go down the route of fad diets or quick-fix weight loss plans. These fads can cause serious nutritional deficiencies that can leave a lifelong impact on health and overall well-being, manifesting into ugly diseases later in life. The panel recommended that any diet or fitness plan should be followed only if you are able to follow it for the rest of your life without compromising on physical or mental health. Lastly, the panellists concluded that there are no shortcuts to lasting sustainable weight loss, and real fitness is about making lasting changes to your lifestyle and your relationship with food and nutrition.
