‘Someone remarked I looked like a buffalo’: How this former Mrs India finalist lost 30kg weight and rebuilt her relationship with food after a serious injury | Health News

“I still felt very pretty and continued to post pictures of myself on social media without feeling like I needed to hide any part of my body,” said Karanth, now 52. But as she returned to activities like squash and hiking, she noticed the toll the extra weight was taking. “I realised how heavy I’d become.” 

Over the years, she endured painful comments: “I really admire you — if I were you, I would not even go out,” someone told her. “Another friend asked to look at my meal, because she wanted to know what I was eating ‘to look like this’. And someone else remarked that I looked like a buffalo,” she recalled. 

But instead of retreating, she used these moments to reflect. “I’d heard about intermittent fasting, and opted to eat just one meal a day. Initially, my daily meal wasn’t particularly healthy, but as the extra weight came off, I felt a greater desire to prepare healthier meals. A typical meal consisted of a small amount of rice, some protein, like a hard-boiled egg, plenty of vegetables, some fruit and a bite-sized treat,” she told SCMP. 

After she began adjusting to her new eating routine and started to lose weight, she got back to enjoying her favourite physical activities. Within a year of following a one-meal-a-day plan and giving up alcohol completely, Karanth shed 30kg, bringing her weight down to 62kg.

However, this came with its challenges and led her to switch to a more sustainable diet plan. “It was hard not being able to snack between lunch and dinner, and I struggled with introducing alcohol back into my weekends without going overboard. I realised that I didn’t have a good relationship with food. I was afraid to eat, and when I did eat, I didn’t know my limits.” She added, “I gained 7kg during this time, but then I went back to eating one meal a day and lost the extra weight in two months. Since then, I’ve tried to develop a healthier relationship with food. Now, I eat two meals a day and allow myself to have a little bit of everything,” she revealed. 

So, how effective and sustainable is eating just one meal a day for long-term weight loss, especially for women over 50?

Ashlesha Joshi, senior nutritionist at Tone 30 Pilates, tells indianexpress.com, “Eating just one meal a day, also known as OMAD, can lead to short-term weight loss for some individuals due to a significant calorie deficit. However, for women over 50, it may not be the most sustainable or supportive approach for long-term health. At this stage of life, hormonal changes can impact metabolism, bone density, and muscle mass. Relying on just one meal a day might result in inadequate intake of essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and fiber, which are crucial during and after menopause. Instead of extreme restriction, a more balanced approach that includes small, nutrient-dense meals across the day tends to be more effective in the long run. ”

How common is the kind of emotional eating cycle described by Karanth, and what strategies can help break it?

“This type of emotional relationship with food is more common than we often realise, especially among individuals who have been through years of dieting or societal pressure around body image,” says Joshi. 

To break this cycle, she suggests that it is essential to first rebuild trust with food. Practicing mindful eating is a powerful strategy. Working with a trained nutritionist or therapist can help unpack the emotional triggers behind food choices. It is also important to move away from labelling foods as good or bad, and instead focus on nourishment, satisfaction, and body awareness. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.