Obesity Issues

-by Sheela Rani Chunkath

I thought I would address the issue of obesity since many readers have been asking for it. According to the ayurvedic texts the most nourishing foods are whole wheat, hand-pounded rice, milk and ghee. These foods are high in carbohydrates. Ayurvedic texts also encourage you to drink mutton soup without the fat as this is considered very nourishing food. In fact, it is prescribed for individuals with a vata condition and for those feeling chronically tired.

Some people do not put on weight whatever they eat. I am not one of them. I usually joke that I've only to smell food to put on weight.

I found it impossible to eat only the nourishing foods prescribed in ayurveda and lose weight. There is overwhelming scientific evidence today that if you want to lose weight, you need to control your insulin levels. Insulin is released on consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods like idlis, dosa, bread, rice, wheat etc. It is not released or is only minimally released if you eat foods like eggs, chicken, fish, meat or hard cheese. What I'm going to say will sound totally counterintuitive but it is supported by hard scientific evidence. If you want to lose weight eat chicken, fish, meat, eggs, butter and ghee and avoid starchy and sugary foods such as rice, sugar, wheat, maida, chocolates, Mysore Pak and the like. Yes - this is a low carbohydrate diet but not a fad diet like the pineapple diet or water diet etc. Extensive research shows that meat and fats do not cause obesity since they do not mess with your insulin metabolism. If you want to learn more about how to lose weight and maintain the lost weight and learn the science behind this, you should find the book Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes very interesting and comprehensive.

In my own case and of the many people I have counselled, I have seen that a low carbohydrate diet works. Fats are not to be avoided as if they would cause heart attacks. When I talk to someone quite obese and ask them about their diet and lifestyle they almost always say, “I don't eat much, I have cut down on fats and non-vegetarian foods. I eat chicken only once a week. I eat pasta without much butter and idlis without milaka podi and oil. I have even started exercising but I don't seem to be losing much weight. I think I need to exercise more.” I feel quite sorry for these people because they are made out to be people who don’t have the willpower to eat less and exercise more. The culprit is not the individual but the metabolic syndrome caused by insulin. When you eat carbohydrates more insulin is released, which is a hormone that causes accumulation of fat in the tissue.

So if you are obese don't blame yourself. You have been receiving bad advice on how to lose weight. It is not a problem of willpower.

In my case, I lost weight following a low carb diet (a little tough for vegetarians) and then went back to my usual South Indian diet of a little rice, idli, dosas and milk as I enjoy it more. But I am very conscious of the carbs I eat and I include a lot of ghee in my diet.

Friends and relatives of mine who are non-vegetarians have lost many kilograms following a low carbohydrate diet. They found it quite easy as they can eat as much fish, meat, chicken, eggs, butter and ghee as they can enjoy and therefore don't feel hungry. Their lipid profile and blood sugar readings have actually improved – more about that in a later article.

--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/