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Kasturi Gandhi Diet Advice at Hindu Times

Kasturi Gandhi

Kasturi Gandhi

You’ve decided to get healthy by going on a diet. But before you empty the kitchen and your fridge of all your regular foods and replace them with low-fat alternatives, here’s some advice from Kasturi Gandhi, grandaughter of Arun Gandhi. “Plunging headfirst into a diet isn’t a good idea, you need to test the waters first.”

What  this means is that you first need to prepare your body and mind before you change your eating habits. Suddenly switching to a liquid-only diet will never work. If you do this, your stomach won’t feel satiated and you’ll remain hungry,” she says.  But gradually including semi-solid foods in your meals will attune your body and appetite for what is to follow. That will also clear the way for the good food and fibre. “They help to detoxify the body of accumulated food residue.  This is why whole fruits are recommended over fruit juices.”  So next time there’s khichdi (rice and lentils comfort food dish) for dinner, don’t cringe. It’s a great pre-diet meal.

No cold turkey

Smart dieters know that giving up your favourite foods never help. Deprivation is the worst kind of meal plan, believes consultant nutritionist Niti Desai. “Skipping meals when you’re gearing up for a healthy life lowers your metabolic rate. Which means that when you eat, even healthy food will add to those kilos,” she says.

So instead of looking longingly at that pack of Lindt, focus on burning up calories. You can still indulge yourself in moderation. Switch from a whole bar of milk chocolate to a few bites of 75-80 per cent dark chocolate. And say cheers to nursing one glass of red wine instead of a couple of pints of beer.

>> Continue reading at Hindu Times


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