Eat smart to keep those extra pounds away

Those who are 15kgs above their normal weight can adopt simple behavioural modifications to help control obesity, said Professor of Surgery at Andhra Medical College and Chief Surgeon of King George Hospital T. Narayana Rao.

Daily diet should comprise low calories, low carbohydrate and low fat. Explaining about healthy diet he said: “There is no harm in indulging in a rich meal once in a while. On a regular basis, it is better to follow simple vegetarian diet that includes 20 per cent of raw vegetables and another 20 per cent of fresh fruits apart from fibre rich foods.” Dieting doesn’t mean one should starve and stay away from delicacies. Simple techniques like having a bowl of soup before a meal would help in suppressing appetite. On an average, the intake of food should not exceed than 1,500 calories a day. Walking is a simple exercise to burn calories and make it a habit at least for five days a week. Proper relaxation technique has to be followed to blow the stress away. Alcohol contains high calories and regular intake has a range of health effects, says Dr. Narayana Rao.

However, those who are more than 20 kgs of the normal bodyweight should opt for bariatric surgery, he recommended.