It is safe to say that the desire to lose weight is a feeling a majority of Goans share. This
could be due to the health problems associated with being overweight or just motivation
to get into shape again. Against this backdrop, it is common to hear about
Goans trying various things to lose weight – from exercise drills at the gym to
running and jogging every day to simply trying out a new diet.
The latest trend that has picked up in Goa
is that of ketosis and the ketogenic diet fad.
“The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low
carbohydrate and a moderate protein diet designed to mimic the fasting state.
This diet increases the body’s dependence on fatty acids for energy while limiting
the glucose availability. In this condition, the body shifts to breakdown fatty
acids to utilise as a source of energy. However, these fatty acids cannot cross
the blood brain barrier so the body converts them to ketone bodies, which then
serve as the major source of energy for the brain. This is beneficial and used
as a treatment in retractable epilepsy, where glucose uptake is greater during
seizures. Hence, lack of glucose has an anticonvuslant effect on the body. Not
just this, but there are several other physiological and metabolic reasonings
behind prescribing a ketogenic diet under guidance of a registered/qualified
dietitian,” says Luana Mascarenhas, Clinic Manager and Dietitian at the QUA
Nutrition Clinic, Panjim and Margao.
“Seeing how medical the nature of this
diet is, it is very essential to understand how to maintain ketosis in the
right amount and if your medical history and blood chemistry supports it or
not. Weight loss is a side effect of the diet when given in calorie restriction
and moderation (scientifically planned) but it is not a “diet” endorsed for the
same. People could be overdoing the same and causing their body to go into
severe ketosis, which initially will show as constipation, anxiety, muscle
cramping, sleep issues, fruity odour in breathe and urine, palpitations,
reduced strength, bone erosion, mental fogginess, lethargy due to severe
deprivation of blood glucose and carbohydrates in the body as well as
antioxidants and micronutrients, which the body normally gets from cereals,
pulses, fruits and vegetables (most of which are limited or eliminated in a
keto diet),” adds Luana.
There are those who recommend the diet
after trying it out and being impressed with the results. “I went on keto in
November to try shed the weight fast in order to fit into my Christmas dress.
What started off as a quick fix to an immediate problem, has now turned into a
lifestyle change for me. This is not a diet for the faint hearted. Right from
changing my mindset to convincing myself that low carb and high fat was what I
had to concentrate on, was really tough. Just the thought of downing all that
fat was scary. But I stuck with it and the results were crazy. I lost 2 kgs by
the second week and now I’m down 8 in total. I have changed the diet around a
bit as I don’t want to lose anymore weight but I do maintain the basics, so I
don’t gain it all back. I read a lot and researched the diet well before I
started. Also, a visit to the doctor to basically check initial cholesterol,
sugar etc was very important,” says Chrystal Farrell, one of Goa’s leading
artistes.
“There is a whole science behind ketosis. I think I’ve merely
scratched the surface. Reading and gaining knowledge about the entire process
is crucial. Also having friends following it is an added bonus. It’s been
nearly three months now. I feel great. I travel a lot for my gigs, etc so I try
to stay in ketosis as much as I can by packing my tiffin or taking coconut oil
and stevia on my trips. Health wise, I’ve never felt better. I did go through
the initial insomnia and dizziness but I don’t get that anymore,” adds
Chrystal.
“My gym time was cut out when I damaged ligaments in my knee, so
I decided to switch to keto since my girlfriend had seen good results from it.
I have lost a good deal of fat due to this diet but I’m not sure if it’s
something I’ll stick to permanently. I will return to a low carb diet after
some time. I think you do need a combination of exercise and a diet to stay
fit, and good advice from an expert as well. Earlier, I was on a low carb diet
for a year or more, with the occasional slip up. The one major positive from
this new diet, apart from fat loss, was the fact that I haven’t experienced an
acid attack for 6 weeks now. I used to suffer from daily acid reflux and would
throw up often. None of that happens now,” adds Kurt Bento, senior journalist
and digital marketing entrepreneur.
“It works. Just make sure that you have people around you who
are supportive and don’t tempt you. Also, make sure you have a bite every 2-3
hours or you feel exhausted. The first week is difficult. Don’t drink under any
circumstances. And watch out for the crazy dreams. I used to have dreams of
rice, dal fry, dahi, papad and pickle, every night.
Earlier, I would eat everything apart from crabs/prawns and pork. Now, no
bread, rice, roti , papad, noodles, pasta etc. No fizzy drinks or
juices. Almost no milk. No sugar in tea or coffee. No biscuits,” says Kanishka
Rustom, who used to weigh 130 plus kilos but has now seen his waist size go
from 44 to 32 inches.
Then there are some who have tried it and lost weight only to
put on a lot again after discontinuing the diet. There are also others who
tried the keto diet but ended up opting for other diets to successfully lose
weight. For instance, Dr Martin D’Costa lost 18 kilos in three months through a
low calorie diet recommended by a diet clinic, after initially trying the
ketogenic diet. “All diets have one thing in common: you need to stay in
negative calorie balance to lose weight. Ketogenic diet uses fat as the energy
source but the bottom line is that you have to keep calories in negative. The
key to losing weight is motivation, will power and dedication; there is no
magical diet but following a low calorie balanced diet. The real fight starts when
you need to maintain the weight loss, he says.
Then there are others who have had successful major
transformations like Panjim based Andre Velho and Chicalim based Rhys
Mascarenhas. They offer their take on the weight loss debate, given their own
positive experiences. “I’ve tried a lot of different diets all through my life,
which have helped me lose weight. I love food so much that as soon as I got off
the diet, I’d put on weight again! I finally decided to eat everything I like,
in moderation. Cut out sugar as far as possible and exercise regularly. This
has helped me lose weight slowly and steadily but the weight has stayed off.
What’s important before starting any diet is to always try and do as much
research as possible about the diet. I personally would not advise anyone to go
on a fad diet unless it’s related to a particular health concern,” says Andre.
“I
always feel the basics to lose weight are the same – less carbs, less
salt/sugar and more protein, along with even a small walk as a form of exercise.
You’ll see instantaneous results if you approach it this way. New fads may
accelerate the process but the basics remain the same,” says Rhys.
