Not Ozempic, not Mounjaro. Karan Johar's weight loss secret is OMAD diet. But…
Not Ozempic, not Mounjaro — it was an OMAD diet that helped Karan Johar with his weight loss transformation. The filmmaker revealed his weight loss secret in an interview earlier this month, and since then, the term "OMAD diet" has been making a lot of buzz on the internet.An abbreviation for 'One Meal A Day', the OMAD diet is an extreme form of intermittent fasting where you consume only one meal a day. The idea is to consume the day's calorie intake in one go, within a window of an hour.Karan Johar revealed that the reason behind his weight loss was the discovery that he needed to correct his blood levels. Along with medication, he focused on eating one meal a day. He shared that he has been following a strict OMAD (One Meal a Day) diet.Owing to several lifestyle changes along with this diet, the filmmaker has not only lost a significant amount of weight but also says he is in the pink of health and has never felt better.If this makes you want to embrace the OMAD diet right away, hold on. It might help you lose those extra kilos, but it can also cause several lifelong health issues.HOW OMAD DIET WORKS'The One Meal a Day (OMAD) diet is an extreme form of intermittent fasting. The idea is that the body, after receiving a large meal, enters a prolonged fasting state that potentially boosts metabolism, triggers fat burning, and lowers insulin levels, leading to weight loss,' says Dr Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant and Director, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Aakash Healthcare.Since it is just one meal, it is designed to be extremely nutritious and balanced.Priyanka, a Senior Dietitian at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, explains that an OMAD-diet meal is high in protein, includes healthy fats, provides complex carbohydrates, and is also rich in fibre.Lean meat, tofu or legumesAvocado, nuts for healthy fatsQuinoa or brown rice for complex carbsVegetables and fruits for fibreThe portion size is larger than a regular meal typically consumed in a day. Additionally, this OMAD diet meal does not include processed foods.
In the OMAD diet, the meal you eat is rich in protein and fibre. It also contains healthy fats and complex carbs. (Photo: Pexel)
This one meal is generally recommended to be consumed between 4 pm and 7 pm. Ultimately, it is the doctor, along with the dietitian, who tailors the plan according to a person's routine and preferences.As for water, it can be consumed throughout the day. Staying hydrated, after all, is important. One can also sip green tea or other herbal teas (without sugar).OMAD DIET AND WEIGHT LOSSBut does this diet actually help lose weight? The answer is yes, but not without some complexities.Here's how this diet aids weight loss: 'The body enters a fasted state, leading to fat burning due to prolonged calorie deficit. Insulin levels drop, resulting in ketosis. The body acts as a fat-fuelled system. Portion control is enforced naturally, reducing overall calorie intake,' explains Priyanka.But here is the catch – it is unsustainable in the long term. It can lead to muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and nutrient deficiencies.YOU CAN'T IGNORE THE RISKS'There is a risk of nutrient deficiencies (proteins, vitamins, and trace elements), muscle loss, and a decrease in metabolic rate. Continuous undernourishment can affect overall health and body function,' says Dr Malhotra.'Some people may also experience side effects like fatigue, headaches, or mood changes in the beginning. It may also affect hormones and muscle mass if followed long term without guidance,' adds Nidhi Sahai, Dietitian, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, New Delhi.DON'T GO 'OMAD' WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTORSince the OMAD diet is extremely restrictive and extreme in nature, it should not be done without consulting a doctor. Health experts may ask you to undergo certain blood tests and help you with a plan accordingly.Those with health-related issues like diabetes, kidney diseases, liver function abnormalities, and heart issues should especially avoid this type of drastic diet pattern. Even pregnant or breastfeeding women should strictly avoid it.The much-hyped 'one meal a day' diet is not a sustainable long-term solution. It requires a proper exit plan and continuous supervision by a health expert. In a nutshell, while the OMAD approach may offer rapid weight loss, it is neither balanced nor suitable for long-term use.Trending Reel
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As of now, only some basic formulations of insulin are on the NLEM, whose upper price ceilings are fixed by the government. Once protected by patent, as some of them are now off-patent, their biosimilar versions—just like generics in case of small molecule drugs—have now hit the Indian market, and it could change the affordability issue, underlined Dr Manisha Arora, director, internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital. 'The entry of multiple pharmaceutical companies into this space reflects the segment's growth potential and the opportunity to enhance treatment outcomes through competitive pricing and technological advancements,' she said. Increased competition could spur further innovation, improve patient-centric delivery systems, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable diabetes care ecosystem, Arora added. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: ICMR-led consortium seeks health tax on fat, sugar & salt-rich foods to cut adolescent obesity burden
