Shikha A Sharma, is a renowned dietitian and nutritionist who specializes in Indian based diet. Her concept of ‘Eat & Sleep’ is a revolutionary concept, she believes in putting nutrients in the body rather than starving people out of food.
Catch Shikha Sharma in her first ever significant interview with Namita Nayyar, President, Women Fitness, as she goes on to enlighten us with her work and achievements. Read on,
You are a celebrity dietitian and nutritionist and specialise in Indian based diet. How and when did you realise the need to spread awareness on the benefits of the Indian diet?
Shikha Sharma:
I like to give my thanks to almighty to make me reach where I am today my Guruji , well I myself lost 30 kg. While weight loss is a difficult task in itself, it becomes harder when you are a working mother. You are so busy taking care of your duties as a mother and a working professional that you are unable to spare any time for your health.
I realised that I needed to do something about my growing weight if I wanted my confidence back. However, instead of blindly following fad diets, I decided to go back to her roots. Which is Indian food.
In today’s time when there is such a media hype about breads, peanut butter, health seeds, protein shakes, energy bars, you have promoted the need to stick to Indian foods and not on Brown Bread, Brown Rice or fancy Salads.
Uncover 5 health & fitness myths strongly affecting women in today’s era?
Shikha Sharma:
- Green Tea is the biggest myth for losing weight , milk tea or coffee is the best with stevia
- Saying no to potatoes is the biggest wrong decision , eating potatoes lead you feel full and you lose weight
- Saying no to wheat Roti is the biggest wrong decision, eating it will make you full and weight will never bounce back once lost.
- Exercise is important to lose weight – no at all as 80 % is diet 20 % is exercise , therefore if you lack time to do exercise , you can still lose weight.
- Small meals speed your metabolism – is a biggest myth you three time meal that you are taking since childhood is good to go.
A person is left confused about innumerable diets held, followed and promoted by celebrities like high protein diet, No-carb diet, intermittent fasting. Please elaborate why these diets have come to dominate our society over the years and side-effects they carry.
Shikha Sharma:
A more popular low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat regimen, the ketogenic diet, is likely even more harmful but is nonetheless still endorsed by many celebrities. A diet primarily used to mitigate epileptic symptoms in children, the keto diet is not recommended for healthy adults trying to lose weight in a short amount of time.
The diet works by depriving your body of carbohydrates by reducing intake to under 50 grams per day. As a result, insulin secretion is reduced and the body enters a catabolic state called ketogenesis. The body begins to break down fats for energy to produce ketone bodies, which can be utilised for energy production in the heart or kidneys.
Although this might sound beneficial at first, there are serious side effects associated with long-term ketogenesis such as low blood pressure, kidney stones and an increased risk for heart disease.
Please share an insight into your diet routine? First thing you reach out for in the morning? 5 foods that comprise your breakfast?
Shikha Sharma:
Before Breakfast:
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder with normal water
- 1/2 teaspoon ashwagandha with normal water
- 1/2 teaspoon of the black mustard seed with normal water
My breakfast:
For breakfast, I usually have one stuffed chapati with either tea or coffee without sugar or stevia in it. I ensure that I do not miss my daily dose of nutrition in the form of kitchen spices which is the secret behind my weight loss.
My lunch:
In the afternoon, I have two wheat chapatis with any vegetable of my choice. We need to understand that vegetables do not make us fat. Having green chilli with your daily meal is a must as it works as a natural fat burner.
After lunch:
2 small cardamoms and 1/2 teaspoon of coriander powder with water
Evening:
1 cup of tea or coffee made of milk with 5 biscuits
My dinner:
For dinner, I have two wheat chapatis with any vegetable curry of my choice. I occasionally switch my dinner and have two idlis, a bowl of sambar and a big bowl of vegetable curry.
5 tips to cope with Sugar craving, especially midnight? Foods to keep handy while at work or travelling?
Shikha Sharma:
The biggest secret given by the universe, Spices and Herbs, remember we are from this universe, therefore all our health issues cure we find in the same , this is what I have got for the people in today’s time. Which we all have forgotten it.
5 Kitchen herbs and spices to manage diabetes?
Shikha Sharma
- Cinnamon
- Gurmar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Clove
October is observed as breast cancer awareness month on Women Fitness? Your observance of possible reasons for increase in rise? Tips to prevent the same.
Shikha Sharma
Awareness and education can save many lives. Signs, found out early on, can help nip out breast cancer, like any other kind of cancer. Early warning signs and preventive steps like these are essential for survival. While it is a crucial step to go for regular screenings, checkups, the truth is, people won’t always know what breast cancer can look like. The signs vary and different people exhibit different symptoms.
Best way of prevention is to take care of the health and consume 2 clove empty stomach morning with water can prevent from the any sort of cancer.
Most women, or even men alike, think that a change in the size, the appearance of the breasts or feeling a little lumpy texture in and around the breasts are the only warning signs to look out for.
Shikha Sharma:
Skin dimpling is a less common sign of cancer but according to doctors, this is one step no person should miss out on while checking for signs. A rash or a scab that can cause the skin to turn red, itchy and flaky is a sign of skin dimpling. In some cases, a severe form of skin dimpling or infection can also lead to swelling and thickening of the skin around the breasts, also accompanied by skin pits and inversion or retraction of the nipple. Prominently, the dimpled skin looks and resembles an orange peel- prickly and of carrying a bright tinge.
What all led you to start “Fat to Slim” spread world wide today? You help your clients go Fat To Slim and lose up to 7 kgs weight and 4 inches from each part of their body within a month and that all by making them eat. Share an insight into your weight loss diet?
Shikha Sharma
There was a lot that pulled me down when I was unhealthy. All the unsolicited comments, the trolling and negativity were my main motivation to lose weight and get back in shape. I still remember those incidents very clearly and do not wish to go back there, ever again.
Once in 15 days, I take a cheat day where I eat whatever I feel like without any guilt or regrets.
Your fitness routine consists of ?
Shikha Sharma:
My Workout:
Being a mother and a working woman, I did not have any time to hit the gym or exercise. I have broken the myth that “you cannot lose without exercising”. I focussed on eating right and used mustard oil or ghee for cooking.
Fitness secrets I unveiled:
- I have realised that going back to your roots i.e. what our dadis and nanis used to eat is the simplest way to lose weight.
- We need to understand that all these international food items which are called the holy grail of weight loss may not work as efficiently for us.
- We are Indians and we need to follow a local, Indian diet to get back in shape. We have also made chapatis our enemies, completely forgetting that we used to have it since childhood.
Your daily skin & hair care routine? Top 5 to prevent wrinkles and freckles?
Shikha Sharma
- Cucumber is a natural toner and skin lightener
- Mashed papaya applied to the skin is an excellent even tone skin.
- Take two firm tomato halves and rub on the skin. If you suffer from open pores, the regular use of tomato halves rubbed on the skin will help reduce open pores and clean the greasiest of skins
- One of my personal favourites, this humble plant has some of the greatest rejuvenating properties for skin and hair. Its gel can be massaged safely on dead dull and tired looking skin and also into the hair scalp to prevent hair loss.
- Raw cold potato slices not only soothe the eyes but also help reduce dark circles
Message for Women Fitness followers and females on taking care of themselves?
Shikha Sharma
Lessons learned from weight loss: Realised that going on a ‘diet’ is nothing more than eating healthy food and making healthy choices. At the end of the day, going old school is the best way of losing weight as ‘Dadi ma ke nukhse can never go wrong!’
How do you plan to celebrate Diwali during a pandemic?
Shikha Sharma
Well, no gathering through there is no lockdown but corona is still their, celebration is always a big food cheat day haha and not to miss clicking lot of pictures with my family. Because 2020 has taught us , the biggest.
Special Thanks to Shikha Sharma, you can follow her on: