Some good diets to lose weight:-

i)Naturopathy diet– Naturopathy believes in healing the body naturally, rather than using supplements or drugs. Naturopathic doctors find out the underlying causes of your disease and use remedies to restore the healing functions of your body, mind and spirit and also work towards the prevention of diseases. Healers prescribe the use of certain natural supplements along with a nutritious diet to get rid of extra weight. It aims at having a good lifestyle.

ii) Vegan diet-veganism is a way of living that seeks to abstain as much as possible from the use of animal products. People go vegan to improve their health, saving animal lives and helping the planet

 Lactose/Milk intolerance– It is the inability to digest sugar(lactose) in dairy products- It is very common and in India, there are million cases every year. Lactose is a type of sugar found in the milk of most mammals. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea.  Treatment of lactose intolerance is to avoid dairy products.Many people switch to veganism because it is healthy. Recent research has found that a plant-based diet can reduce your chances of certain cancers, reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol.

I would like to give you the interview of Jayshree who lives in South Africa and is following a Vegan diet for few years. She is slim and trim and has a flat stomach.

Me – Jayshree, what health problems did you have?

Jayshree – Bloating and slightly overweight because of dairy products. I didn’t have any serious health conditions. But I always felt lethargic and gained weight around my tummy area especially whilst consuming diary.

Me- What made you turn into a vegan?

Jayshree – Being an avid animal lover is the main reason. I wanted to contribute to a healthier planet and lastly to live a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. I consume mainly green leafy vegetables. I do supplement where necessary and have blood tests done annually to specifically test for iron, protein and calcium levels. I chose veganism because it’s a healthy way of living. Recent studies found that cancer rates among vegans were up to 19% lower compared to meat-eaters. It was also shown that vegans have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower chances for type 2 diabetes. The vegan diet is healthy and nutritional and provides health benefits that prevent diseases.

Me- How is your mom?

Jayshree- My mom is also Vegan because of my lifestyle change. She is now 78. Being at her age, we had her blood tested recently. She needed an iron supplement, which she now takes. She has cholesterol issues for which she takes medication. She also suffers from osteoporosis. I did a bit of research on osteoporosis and found out that it’s main milk, which causes osteoporosis. My mom used to consume 2 litres of milk per week in her teas and cereals. She underwent a full hip replacement surgery when she was 68. Being in my 40s, I decided to seriously look at my health and didn’t want to land up where my mom had been. Milk contains saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, cholesterol, and sodium. In factory farming, often due to insufficiently hygienic conditions, many dairy cows suffer from an inflammation of the udder, known as mastitis, which can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria. Because of the inflammation, pus is often present in cow’s milk. Worldwide, three-quarters of adult people are lactose-intolerant, so they cannot break down the lactose in animal milk. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. I have a family member who is lactose intolerant. She consumes goat’s milk.”

Me- What benefits did you find by going vegan?

Jayshree- Lifestyle. I lead an active lifestyle. I do weight training and I can build muscle on a vegan diet. I increase my protein intake. I am 57 kg. Nutrition plays a key role. A vegan diet has many advantages. If planned correctly, plant-based eating can provide the full range of nutrients required by an active body. Calcium is important for bones and teeth, it’s a well-known fact, and is prevalent in both animal- and plant-based foods. A plant-based diet can provide the body with plenty of calcium. I consume a lot of kale, broccoli, collards, tofu, beans, almonds, tahini, and fortified products such as plant-based milk are all significant sources of calcium. Many plant milk varieties are also enriched with calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, making them a suitable alternative to dairy milk. Sustainability is a topical subject at the moment more than ever before. As more information emerges about the impact of meat on the environment, people are increasingly choosing to leave it off their plates altogether.

Me- How old are you, and how are you keeping so fit?

Jayshree- I am 48 years old. I do yoga and meditation and weight training and focus on core exercise. Many women never focus on core exercise. I place a huge emphasis on core training when I am in the gym. I don’t waste too much time doing cardio as I don’t find too much benefit in cardio training. There is an in-house dietician at the gym who recommended weight training and building muscle. My doctor’s recommendation was the same to focus on muscle training. She had nothing against my vegan lifestyle. I live a very active lifestyle, being out in nature as much as possible doing hikes. I do not eat fried foods and my sugar intake is minimal or none. I am also going through perimenopause and found that introducing foods like avocado, cinnamon, ginger, flaxseeds to your diet is very beneficial. These are meta influenced foods, meaning they work according to your body’s metabolism. I also eat raw garlic which has tremendous benefits for menopausal symptoms. I usually have one with food. The other reason for staying slim and fit is intermittent fasting. I usually stop eating around 6 pm. I eat again the next day around 10 or 11 am. It also depends on how busy my day is with work. I consume 2 litres of water a day. I also start my day on a prebiotic just for good gut health. I usually drink this with a glass of fresh celery juice, which I do myself.

Me- Thanks for taking out the time for the sake of everyone and talking at length Jayshree. Thanks again for the superb tips on health. I am sure the readers will benefit a lot from your sharing.

Jayshree- You are most welcome, Kala.

SO FRIENDS- STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG.