My article in India Today

My article in India today, that cane be also seen here.

Here's why diets crash

Crash diets may attract you with their promise of a 5 kg loss in 10 days but the harsh reality is that they can damage your heart and kidneys and alter your metabolism adversely. Here we examine the health impact of popular diets and feature the weight management principles of some experts.

We can blame Kareena Kapoor, Beyonce and even Jennifer Aniston for making crash diets so popular.

While one advocates soya milk and cabbage, the other says Maple syrup is the answer.

The weight loss of celebrities is publicised widely enough but what no one talks about is the impact of their crash diets on their bodies.

The reality is that crash diets are very, very bad for the health.

Kiran Sawhney lost 30 kgs with exercise and right food

Apart from the fact that the weight loss is momentary, fad diets also increase the risk of blood pressure problems, coronary heart disease, impact the eyes adversely and deplete the bones too. They disturb the natural metabolism of the body, making it harder to both lose weight and keep the weight off. Being on a low - calorie diet creates an imbalance in minerals and electrolytes, which impacts nerve and muscle functioning and also creates a dip in the level of serotonin in the brain, leading to clinical depression. Women are more likely to experience anaemia and irregular periods and may also find the health of their hair, nails and skin deteriorating. Diets that advocate low carbohydrates create a condition called ketosis in the body, which is very harsh on kidneys. Since carbs are also the main energy source for your body and mind, eating less than what the body requires results in low energy and can even affect your mental faculties.

EXERCISE CREATES A TURN AROUND 

A well known name in the field of fitness today, Kiran Sawhney recalls a time in her life when she wasn"t health conscious.

"I was always a little plump and never bothered about exercise or food. But after marriage and delivering two babies, my weight just shot up. It was a combined effect of metabolism getting sluggish with age and mindless eating," she says.

The turnaround came when Kiran joined an aerobics class.

"I was determined to lose weight and loved aerobics. This has made me very conscious of my diet and exercise regime," she says. Kiran works out for an hour daily, for 5 days a week. "I do cardio, strength training, core training, yoga, pilates, tai chi and I love dancing. My food is very well balanced with lots of protein and less of fat. I don"t take junk food or aerated drinks," the 40- year- old says.

Kiran has lost a whopping 30 kg and has managed her weight successfully for the past decade.