Holistic Health: Dietician working in Durban North areas advises on lifestyle change
“I don't recommend fad diets and weight loss pills. The quicker you lose weight, the quicker you will gain it.”
DON’T cut out those carbohydrates and eat balanced, portion controlled meals, says registered dietician, Talia Pillay.
Pillay, a dietician for three years with a large client base in the Durban North and uMhlanga areas, says if you want to change your lifestyle, whether to lose weight or not, there is no quick fix.
“The majority of my clients come to me to lose weight as they try to manage their chronic diseases such as diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, high cholesterol and the like. There is no wonder pill or crash diet that will get you the longevity you need to manage conditions such as these,” she said.
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“It has to be a lifestyle change and with that, it has to be a sustainable one. People have a mental block towards healthy food because they associate it with steamed, bland, unseasoned dishes but you can spice up your meals. The type of lifestyle change you choose also has to comprise of foods you enjoy eating. That way, it’s sustainable.”
She added whatever eating plan you choose, it also has to be financially sustainable for you.
“I don’t recommend fad diets and weight loss pills. The quicker you lose weight, the quicker you will gain it.”
She added that eating plans, such as the keto diet or banting, intermittent fasting and so on work, but only for certain individuals.
“The Ketogenic Diet for example, may control and improve certain chronic disease conditions. People have achieved results with intermittent fasting as well but at the end of the day, it’s important to note that all these diets have one thing in common – they are calorie restrictive. If you eat in a calorie deficit, you will lose weight and if you’d like to gain weight, you have to eat in a calorie surplus,” she said.
“The quality of your food is also very important. Whilst we can compare the calories of food items but we must consider the micronutrient (vitamins, minerals) of the foods we eat as these are essential for optimal health.”
Pillay has found an increase in post-Covid patients who are struggling with weight gain as their lifestyles have become sedentary due to the fatigue that the virus has caused.
“Some have been critically ill as well and their muscles have broken down due to not being able to be as active as they prior to having Covid-19 so diets have to be changed,” she said.
Pillay, whose social media accounts, Talia Pillay RD, are free to access on Facebook and Instagram.
She regularly posts advice and tips which followers can access and implement.
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