Celebrity fitness trainer Siddhartha Singh, who has trained stars like Tamannaah Bhatia, recently busted a common weight-loss myth: just because a food is healthy doesn’t mean it is low in calories. In an Instagram post shared on June 3, he explained how calorie balance, portion sizes and food choices play a key role in fat loss.
According to Siddhartha, body weight changes depend on calorie balance, meaning the total calories consumed should be lower than the total calories burned. He stressed that when people refer to a food as “healthy”, they are usually talking about the quality of its ingredients rather than its calorie content. (Also read: Cult Fit founder shares 4 simple exercises that should be mandatory if you work on a laptop all day )
Healthy doesn’t always mean low-calorie
“Healthy food does not necessarily mean low-calorie. Let’s understand this with a practical example. Body weight changes depend on calorie balance. Your total calories consumed should be less than the total calories you have burned. Now, when we say healthy food, we are referring to the quality of the ingredients and not how many calories it has. All foods are made up of either proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. And all foods have calories,” says Siddharth.
Using everyday examples, Siddhartha pointed out that some commonly perceived healthy foods can contribute a significant number of calories when consumed in large quantities.
He adds, “For example, nuts. Healthy but high in fats. A small portion is going to end up being a lot of calories, similarly with oils, high in fat. If you put these in your pan, you have no idea how many calories you’ve put in that pan. Smoothies. To make a taste, you put 1500 different things in it, and it just becomes a high-calorie shake and less of a healthy smoothie. Granola can have added sugars or even added oils. Again, can be high in calories.”
How can you enjoy food while trying to lose fat
Siddhartha emphasised that portion size plays a crucial role in determining the calorie content of a meal.
“So what I’m trying to say is the total amount of calories in a food totally depends on the quantity you’re having. And not whether it is labeled healthy or unhealthy. A simple, practical approach if you’re trying to lose fat is when you’re having nuts have a handful of nuts. You don’t have to eat nuts like the ones you have in the market,” he says.
Sharing simple strategies to keep calories in check, he advises being mindful of portions and additions. “Oils, when you use them, measure them with a teaspoon or a tablespoon. When you’re having a smoothie, leave it as a smoothie. Don’t put anything else in it. Granola, use it for taste, not as a whole meal in the morning.”
Siddhartha also advised people to focus on balanced meals rather than categorising foods as strictly healthy or unhealthy. “Always balance your plate. You should have proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to make it a complete meal, keeping you fuller for longer.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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