No oil. No sugar. No carbs. Remove every enjoyable food and what is left of life? Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar gets this question often, and his answer may surprise you: yes, you can have a samosa. Just not four of them.
Quick takeaways
- Moderation matters more than any fashionable diet.
- Eat whole fruit instead of drinking juice.
- Rotate your cooking oils and use them sparingly.
- Diabetes or kidney disease changes the rules, so get personal advice.
Food myths and facts
| What people say | What Dr. Kumar says |
|---|---|
| Keto or an all-protein diet is the best. | Extreme diets are not the answer. A balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein is better for most people. |
| Drinking coconut oil is healthy. | Doing any one thing to excess is a mistake. |
| Fruit juice is as good as fruit. | Juice gives more calories and sugar. Whole fruit gives fibre. |
| Fruits are bad because of sugar. | If you do not have diabetes, a few portions of fruit are fine. |
| Olive oil is the only healthy oil. | It can be used, but too much of it is also bad. Rotation and moderation are what count. |
The fruit question
An apple a day is still fine. The issue is juicing, which concentrates calories and sugar and removes much of the fibre. If you have diabetes, limit high-sugar fruits such as bananas and mangoes, and avoid juices.
Which cooking oil should you use?
Studies have suggested benefits from rotating oils, such as sunflower and other oils, rather than relying on one. Whichever you choose, use small amounts.
Vegetarian, non-vegetarian or fish?
A vegetarian diet is generally good. If you eat non-vegetarian food, eat less of it. Fish is good for the heart.
Can a cardiologist eat mirchi bajji?
Dr. Kumar laughs at this one. Happiness matters too, and being miserable about food is not good for you. An occasional samosa is acceptable. Making a habit of four or five is the problem.
If you have an existing condition
- Diabetes: control sugars more strictly.
- Kidney disease: you may need to limit protein.
- Ask your doctor or dietitian for a plan made for you.
A note on taste
Dr. Kumar makes one more useful point: your idea of enjoyable food changes with your attitude. Build healthy habits and your taste slowly follows.
Frequently asked questions
How much fruit can I eat?
Without diabetes, a few portions a day is reasonable. With diabetes, ask your doctor.
Are the worst foods always the tastiest?
Often, yes. Biryani and cheeseburgers are fine occasionally, but should not be everyday food.
Have a question about your heart?
Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Cardiology and Clinical Research at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. If you have symptoms or risk factors, book a consultation rather than waiting for them to get worse.
This article is for general education and is adapted from Dr. Kumar’s public talks on SumanTV. It does not replace medical advice for your own condition. Please do not start or stop any medicine without speaking to your doctor.