'Whole foods,' 'superfoods,' and 'magic foods' are all terms used to market products. There is nothing called 'superfood'.
Published Aug 20, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 20, 2024 | 7:00 AM
Nowadays, many foods are marketed as “superfoods,” including various seeds, millets, and flakes. For someone with limited medical knowledge, it can prove difficult to distinguish between what is genuinely beneficial and what a mere marketing gimmick.
At the inaugural Dakshin Healthcare Summit in Hyderabad, Dr. Esther Sathiaraj, Head of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics at HCG Bengaluru, said there is no such thing as a “superfood.”
She was on a panel addressing the topic, Managing Obesity, Infertility & Lifestyle Diseases. The summit was organised by South First and TV9 Network.
Dr Sathiaraj said many foods are marketed with terms like “whole foods,” “superfoods,” and “magic foods,” but ultimately, it all comes down to the balance of calories consumed versus calories burned, along with strength workouts and muscle mass – that is what determines one’s weight and body composition.
“Even if you’re consuming millets or seeds, they break down into their primary nutrients — millets into carbohydrates and seeds into proteins or fats. The key is meeting your calorie requirements without overindulging. For example, while taking a tablespoon of seeds can be beneficial as a source of healthy fats, it won’t make a difference if you’re consuming it alongside an otherwise unbalanced diet. Moderation is essential,” said Dr Sathiaraj.
Dr. Rupa Banerjee, Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) Centre at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospital, stressed the importance of healthy eating habits. She highlighted the importance of meal timing and portion control, noting that binge eating often results from skipping meals.
“Sometimes you might skip lunch and think that having only dinner is fine, but this can lead to binge eating, which needs to be controlled. You should avoid getting so hungry that you’ll eat anything in sight,” Dr. Banerjee advised. She also stressed the importance of having dinner early and allowing at least two hours before going to bed. “Simple adjustments like these can make a big difference,” she said.
Dr. Banerjee also addressed a common Indian habit of drinking water during meals. “With so much reflux happening, we tend to drink a lot of water with our meals, which distends and bloats the abdomen,” she said.
She recommended taking small sips of water during meals and waiting about half an hour before drinking more. “This helps prevent a ‘traffic jam’ in your digestive system. Water can be consumed throughout the day, but it’s important to manage when and how much you drink, especially during meals,” she suggested.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
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