Farah Khan reveals weight loss strategy she has ‘been following for a long time': ‘Early dinner by 7.30'

Indian Express

01-05-2025

Farah Khan recently spoke about losing weight in an episode on her food blog with actor-couple Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya. When asked about her weight transformation journey, Khan, 60, revealed that despite being fond of food, she had consciously decided to eat only twice a day. 'I try to eat only twice daily. Lunch and dinner. Early dinner by 7.30. Intermittent fasting. But been following for a long time. I had lost weight before Jhalak also,' Khan said, referring to the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 11, where she appeared as a judge in November 2023.
'You are looking very fresh,' complimented Vivek.
But is intermittent fasting a sustainable way to lose weight?
Dr Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, director, minimal access, GI and bariatric surgery, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, noted that intermittent fasting, which involves concentrating your meals within a specific window during the day, typically between sunrise and sunset, is considered adequate for fat loss.
'This period aligns with when our digestive enzymes, insulin, and other metabolic processes are most active. Eating within this window is believed to promote better digestion, higher metabolism, and a healthier gut microbiome compared to eating late at night,' said Dr Saggu.
The last meal should be 2-3 hours before bedtime. 'This could involve a larger lunch and an early dinner before sunset,' said Dr Saggu.
Benefits
* Improves metabolism and digestion
* Better blood sugar control
* Favourable cholesterol levels, with higher HDL (good) and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
It is also worth noting that the body's inherent circadian rhythm governs not only digestion but also blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital functions. ' Eating at the incorrect time, especially late at night, might disturb these processes and cause long-term health problems,' said Dr Saggu.
Here's what you should note (/Thinkstock)
Eating earlier in the evening aligns your eating patterns with the body's natural cycles, which lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.
Other significant advantages of eating before 8 p.m. include improved digestion, better sleep quality, better weight control, and enhanced metabolism.
Eating late at night can also contribute to digestive issues and weight gain over time.
Mindful eating helps individuals savour their meals, pay attention to their body's hunger cues, and stop eating before they reach satiety, which lowers the risk of overeating.