Former Miss World contestant Pooja Chopra reveals why she doesn't like fad diets: ‘Gulab jamun or ras malai, I can eat it all'

Indian Express

26-04-2025

Pooja Chopra, who recently gained attention for her performance in Netflix's Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, shared the diet and fitness secrets behind her toned and slender physique. Stressing that she is not a fan of fad diets, the former Miss India World 2009 (who later went on to represent India at Miss World 2009) said, 'I don't try fad diets because I know what works for me and what does not. Why should I take a chance? I take immense pride in saying that I have never ever fallen prey to anything – be it a fad diet or anything else.'
Taking a cue from her admission to HT Lifestyle, we reached out to Umang Malhotra, clinical dietitian at Fitelo, to learn more about fad diets. 'Such diets often promise quick weight loss but come with hidden downsides. They typically cut out essential food groups, leading to nutrient deficiencies and a slowed metabolism,' he said.
He added that while results may appear quickly, they're usually short-lived. 'Skipping major food groups for fast weight loss can harm your metabolism and immunity. It is essential to consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients, which is key to long-term wellness and sustainable results,' he told indianexpress.com.
Diet secrets: daily meals to holiday indulgences
When it comes to her diet, she eats everything but in moderation. 'I don't over-indulge. I have to eat every 2-3 hours. It could be a banana, cucumber, chocolate, or something else. I like to eat till I am almost kind of full, but I don't overeat,' said the actor.
As someone who 'hates being habituated to anything in her life', she drinks chai on alternate days and indulges in the occasional dessert on holidays. 'If I am on a holiday, I don't stop myself. Gulab jamun or ras malai, I can eat it all. But, I stick to healthy eating at home,' is her go-to mantra.
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Giving us a peek into her daily diet, Chopra shared that she likes to start her mornings with coconut water. 'It hydrates me, and it is cool. Breakfast is very healthy. It could be sweet potato paratha, upma, avocado toast, or idli-dosa.'
Since she is allergic to gluten, there's no wheat at home. 'I only eat ragi roti or brown rice with dal or sabzi for lunch. Dinner is a salad with chickpeas, broccoli, or any other vegetables, or a soup with beetroot and tomato, or with spinach, around 7.30 pm. I also drink vegetable juice in between my workouts and meals. It is made of cucumber, beetroot, and carrot. This is before lunch. I can also have a protein shake after a workout,' said the actor.
According to Malhotra, Pooja Chopra's diet is refreshingly balanced as she avoids fad diets, eats every few hours, and listens to her hunger cues, which is great for metabolism and sustainability. However, relying heavily on salads or vegetable juice at night might lack protein diversity and long-term satiety. Her mindful approach to moderation and routine hydration stands out, but adding more varied protein sources could make it even more wholesome.
Fitness routine
Chopra shared that she works out five days a week and gives her body rest for two days. 'I work out in the gym, but I get bored, so my trainer has come up with different types of routines. Sometimes it is swimming or kickboxing, and other times, weight training or MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).'
'I love spinning and how it makes my body feel the next day. I can feel the pain in my abs, my glutes, my entire lower body, she added. Chopra is also excited about starting badminton and squash sessions in the upcoming weeks.