Busting common weight-loss myths around the elimination of rice, bananas, and ghee, nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar said these traditional foods do not need to be automatically removed from one’s diet while trying to lose weight.
In a social media video, Diwekar addresses the widespread belief that avoiding certain everyday foods is essential for weight loss. She specifically discusses rice, bananas, and ghee, challenging the tendency to label them as foods that must be completely eliminated during a weight-loss journey.
‘Rice need not be eliminated during weight loss’
Diwekar discusses the perception that rice should be avoided by people trying to lose weight. She points towards the traditional Indian way of eating rice, where it is generally consumed alongside foods such as dal, vegetables and fish or egg curry.
Her message challenges restrictive diet practices that treat rice as an automatic obstacle to weight loss. Instead, she highlights the importance of looking at how food forms part of an overall meal and eating pattern.
Bananas are not simply a food to avoid, says Diwekar
The nutritionist also addresses the common practice of eliminating bananas while trying to lose weight.
Diwekar distinguishes between eating a whole fruit and consuming added sugar, pointing to the nutritional value of whole fruits. Her comments challenge the idea that bananas should automatically be removed from a weight-loss diet simply because they contain naturally occurring sugar.
‘Ghee does not have to be completely cut out’
Diwekar’s third focus is ghee, which is also frequently excluded from weight-loss diets.
She argues against approaching ghee with fear or guilt and highlights its place as a source of dietary fat. She challenges the blanket approach of completely eliminating ghee while attempting to lose weight.
Weight loss does not have to mean giving up traditional foods: Diwekar
Through the video, Diwekar questions the increasingly common practice of creating restrictive lists of foods that people believe they must stop eating to lose weight.
Her message is that weight loss should not automatically translate into eliminating familiar foods such as rice, bananas, and ghee. Instead, dietary choices need to be considered in the context of overall eating habits, portions and an individual’s requirements.
While social media diets often promote blanket rules around weight loss, dietary needs can differ from person to person.
A suitable diet may depend on factors such as an individual’s health, activity levels and nutritional requirements.
