UAE: How to finally lose the weight for good

What’s it like to not feel tired anymore? Not feel bound within your own body? Not feel like the person in the mirror is a pale reflection of who you are. Like not everything is out of control. Like it’s not you who are out of control? The thing about a body is, certain issues notwithstanding, what you eat, how you eat and so the impact these foods have on you is largely in your hands.

As coronavirus’ shade still lumbers over the world and self-isolation becomes the new normal, a trend has emerged – the rise of the corona-pound i.e. gained either from a lack of activity or purpose, emotional consumption or simply, boredom. And so you have it: the bad news.

The good news? There’s so much you can do about it.

To help your diet plans go the long way, we checked in with a few dietitians, nutritionists and other experts to break down some of the food plans tried and tested by celebrities: the Sirtfood Diet and Mayr Method – and the well-known, if misunderstood - Keto Diet. We also asked them about optimal diets and finally, what are the signs that you need to get off THAT food plan now!

‘Hello’ singer Adele has always made heads turn with her smile and the sound of her voice, but this year there’s been another reason for the goggling. She lost about 22kg on the Sirtfood diet. Which allows the dieter to drink grape beverages and eat chocolate. Interested yet?

British celebrity nutritionists Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten created the diet based on a group of proteins called sirtuins (SIRTs) that regulate functions such as metabolism and inflammation in the body. “We call these proteins Sirtuins (SIRTs). These proteins have shown to regulate bodily functions including metabolism/ inflammation and increase lifespan.” says Belinda Dao, Clinical Dietician at American Hospital Dubai.

By eating foods or plants that increase the levels of protein in your body, you can activate what the inventors call the “skinny gene”. When SIRT’s are consumed in higher amounts, they help aid in burning fat, explains Dao.

Dao explains that the diet is a 2-phase plan that restricts a follower to certain proteins.

Phase 1 is a 1,000 kcal count consisting of 1 meal while the remainder of calories comes from green juices off the SIRT list. This phase lasts a week.

Phase 2 consists of 3 meals and 1 green juice per day; however no calorie restrictions are applied for Phase 2 as long as you stick to the SIRT’s list.

Dao says: “I will say the Sirtfood diet plan can be a fun way to diet for a chocolate lover or someone looking to drop fast weight; however this weight is mostly water weight and not necessarily the fat you were hoping to lose. Also considering, while following a low calorie diet it is quite expected to drop some weight on such a harsh restricted diet plan consisting mostly of leafy green juices and little to no protein. However this is not the ideal way to losing weight and keeping it off, nor is it substantially convenient for long-term use.”

Farah Hillou, Integrative and Functional Nutritionist at The Chiron Clinic, adds: “Although the “Sirtfood diet” is high in nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods, there is lack of scientific evidence to support its effects on SIRT genes.

Conclusion: Good for short-term gains

This Australian weight-loss plan was tried by Rebel Wilson in January, in a bid to kick off what she called her ‘Year of Health’. The ‘Pitch Perfect’ actress who was known for her voluptuous figure has lost more than 18kg since then.

This plan has been around for decades. It was developed by Franz Xaver Mayr in Austria a hundred years ago and focuses on gut health.

“The five principles of the Mayr Method include resting the digestive system by eating less; focusing on smaller portions and avoiding sugar and caffeine; promoting mindful, slow eating (chewing food at least 40 times); eating alkaline foods/drinks; and focusing on the “gut rhythm”- ultimately seeing the gut as the gateway to health,” explains Hillou.

Dao adds: “Cutting out processed foods alone helps in taking a load off of your body from working to excrete those added toxins to your body as well.

“Alongside, eating smaller bites, as well as chewing for longer helps digestion by giving it less work to do. Your digestion slows down during the day, consequently why eating a light dinner can be a game changer.

“The Mayr Method also emphasizes on refraining from any fluid intake while eating because it dilutes digestive enzymes however numerous studies have showed the positive impact of drinking water during meals to prevent overeating,” she adds.

Dao says: “This diet does have quite a few other cons to it as it claims to be an alkaline diet however your body already aids in regulating our pH levels all on its own. The necessity of eating only alkaline foods is quite exaggerated. Other restrictions such as cutting out raw foods after 4 pm and the elimination of snacks between meals doesn’t give or take in helping weight loss occur. Snacking actually helps in keeping your metabolism burning throughout the day as long as those snacks fall under a healthy snack choice.

“This type of diet plan may also be difficult to follow through with if you are an individual who cannot completely remove dairy and gluten from your daily life. With such restrictions you need to also make sure you’re getting enough B12, Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin D.”

Conclusion: Works, but many restrictions

One of the (now) mainstream diets is the ketogenic diet, which cuts down on carbohydrates, includes proteins and adds fats to the mix. “The aim is for the body convert fat to ketone bodies to use as a source for fuel,” explains Hillou.

“The ketogenic diet has been used successfully, and with strong research backing, in children with epilepsy. Current areas of research are investigating possible benefits for cancer, autism, chronic pain, migraines, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s) and aging,” she adds.

“Some reported benefits to the ketogenic diet include improved insulin sensitivity, reduced triglycerides, better energy levels, less hunger, and fat loss.”

It would not be recommended for individuals with diabetes taking insulin, or individuals with gallbladder issues that can impact fat digestion. Moreover, there is lack of evidence to suggest what are the health effects of going on a keto diet long-term. Taking into consideration that toxins are stored in fat cells, it would be wise to support detoxification in the liver to help remove these toxins as weight and fat are lost, says Hillou.

Nyma Peracha, Co-Founder of Be More Keto who has been on the diet for about 4 years, goes further, classifying keto living into:

It would not be recommended for individuals with diabetes taking insulin, or individuals with gallbladder issues that can impact fat digestion. Moreover, there is lack of evidence to suggest what are the health effects of going on a keto-diet long-term. Taking into consideration that toxins are stored in fat cells, it would be wise to support detoxification in the liver to help remove these toxins as weight and fat are lost, says Hillou.

Also, when you begin, while your body detoxes and gets used to your no-carb plan, you may feel the effects of 'keto flu'. This is a natural reaction that may include brain fog, headache, chills, sore throat, digestive issues, dizziness, insomnia and irritability.

Conclusion: Done right, it works for some.

For one thing, agree the experts, it should take into account your lifestyles and medical history. “It is important to work with a dietitian/nutritionist who personalizes recommendations according to each individual’s needs. A successful approach involves one that is tailored to the person’s genetics, health status, lifestyle, exposures and health goals,” says Hilou.

Sakina Mustansir, Dietician at Prime Hospital, says: “It is important to remember that it takes at least a week to three for the body to adjust to the new food schedule and also There are going to be some days when your body requires more energy, your hunger is increased, you feel fatigued and bloated.