Fad Diets: Yay Or Nay | By Nicol David | AIA Malaysia

Pasembor, nasi kandar and char kuey teow � just the thought of these dishes makes the Penangite in me salivate. 

Like all Malaysians, food for me is both a comfort and a culture, but as delicious as the food may be, we know that most of our favourite local dishes are not the healthiest out there. Fortunately, with early education and social media, more people are becoming better informed about nutrition.

I knew I had to go about it the smart way, which is why I decided to consult a nutritionist to work exclusively with me and to understand what I needed specifically. Since then, I have come a long way learning about food, how it affects us, and how we should approach it. Diets, I found, while effective for short-term weight loss, may just not be the best or healthiest approach to achieving your long-term health goals.

Growing up, there were many diet trends that I saw. The Atkins diet was the rage back then, similar to how ketogenic, paleo, intermittent fasting and other diets take centre stage today. These popular diets � more commonly known as fad diets, according to Dr Sareena Hanim Hamzah � are highly influenced by obesity, a long-standing issue faced by our nation.

Another example she gave was about the keto diet method. As much as it helps reduce blood glucose and insulin concentration, people on the ketogenic diet should be aware that the metabolic weight loss is mainly due to water loss, leading to dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance.

Rather than relying on fad diets, my philosophy is to have a balanced meal that fits to my individual need and physical health. I feel that the term �diet� has a negative effect, reminding us to stop consuming something in order to feel better or lose weight. It becomes a mental game, rendering a trauma in our heads. Personally, I prefer to keep a balance of my food intake, having a fair amount of carbohydrates, protein, and greens.

I learnt this early on, when I was first introduced to my personal nutritionist, that it was useful to log everything that I would eat in the next three to five days, which included weighing my meals and adding my training schedule. This method also enabled my nutritionist to understand my routine and how my body processed energy.

I also understand that in order to find the right balance, discipline is often the biggest hurdle. Sometimes, I myself succumbing to the temptation, treating myself to fried foods such as char kuey teow. But instead of punishing yourself for slipping or referring to these meals as cheat meals, consider them as a �treat to yourself� meal. It is totally natural that we will have cravings from time to time, but it is worth remembering that if we continue to go into the habit of having them continuously for a few days, then it�s harder to break the cycle. 

While many of us currently battle with unhealthy food habits that we developed or picked up along the way � the best way to inculcate positive food habits is to start young. It�s often the case that parents find themselves eating healthier because they want their kids to eat healthy too and what better motivation for you to load up on those greens so that you set a great example for your kids. Starting early, creates the best foundation for healthy eating and helps your kids develop a healthy relationship with food that will prevent them for going down the tunnel of fad diets. 

In fact, this month I�m partnering with AIA to shed light on child nutrition with the AIA �Mighty Healthy Meals� initiative together with Danish Harraz. Together we�ll demonstrate how to transform your child�s favourite meals into healthier options. I am a strong believer in the importance of moderation and love exploring new ways to make healthy versions of my guilty pleasures � so I hope you�ll check in on our attempts on AIA�s Facebook page. 

Having shared my past experiences, I hope readers will come to realise that a balanced diet can lead to a healthier, longer and better life.

No matter how you decide to treat yourself, remember that no achievement is too small. Recognising what you can do keeps you motivated and giving yourself little rewards along the way is an effective catalyst for long-term change. Your body is your temple, and it deserves to feel energetic and fresher, signs of a healthy body and lifestyle. Celebrate being healthy and strong. And most importantly, celebrate being you.