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Sugar Isn't the Villain — Ignorance Is
Nutritionist Hridesh on the myths, mistakes, and mindset shifts that actually matter.
As featured in Varkaa India, June 2025
Best Cooking Oil? There isn't one — there's the right quantity. Olive oil, mustard oil, or homemade ghee all work fine in controlled amounts.
Is Sugar the Villain? Natural sugar — jaggery, fruit, dairy — isn't the enemy. Refined sugar in sweets and bakery items is, spiking insulin and damaging the system over time. Trend diets like keto or vegan can help, but only with guidance — cut food groups without substitution and you create deficiencies instead of solving anything.
Gut & Mind Are Linked: Stress shows up in digestion, skin, and immunity, not just your head. His fix is simple: avoid alcohol and smoking, move daily, meditate, read, or talk to someone.
PCOD & Women's Health: No one-size-fits-all diet — but fiber-rich foods, leafy greens, fruits, omega-3s, hydration, and gentle natural skincare (honey, turmeric, cucumber) come up again and again.
Common Mistakes: Skipping meals, late-night spicy food, overeating, inactivity, and dehydration matter more than "clean eating." His fix: a simple thali covering protein, iron, carbs, and vitamins — no fancy food required.
5 Foods Worth Prioritizing: Fruits, dal, vegetables, roti, salads.
On Social Media Diet Culture: Claims like "lose 10kg in a month" or unregulated fat burners are dangerous, not shortcuts — they strain the liver, kidneys, and metabolism. Supplements should never replace food, and only belong in a plan under real medical supervision.
On Anti-Aging Treatments: Not his domain — that's for cosmetologists. Unsupervised long-term use of anti-aging tablets or injections can be harmful.
His takeaway: "Food is not medicine — but it can prevent you from needing one."