27-year-old actress Mishti Mukherjee's death sparks debate on shortcuts to lose weight; Jeetu Kamal and other celebs say 'proper guidance is important'

The death of 27-year old actress Mishti Mukherjee has sparked many debates on popular shortcuts to losing weight. Mishti breathed her last on October 2 due to renal failure. She was following a Ketogenic diet which reportedly is the reason behind her demise, according to the family. Ketogenic or Keto diet is quite popular among the youngsters. ETimes TV spoke to nutritionists and TV actors to know their opinion on this. Here's what they have to say...

Ananya is turning heads with her recent transformation. Well, the actress shared that she followed Keto diet for a very short time but had to stop it. “I followed the Keto diet for 7 days. In these 7 days I lost approximately 3.5 kgs but I finally collapsed after one week. I realised Keto is not for everyone. I started throwing up, and was feeling very weak. Finally, I had to quit it and shifted to a balanced diet. According to me, none should start following any diet without consulting their dietician or doctor, especially a diet like Keto. If it is causing any kind of trouble, they should inform the nutritionist immediately. Otherwise, the result could be disastrous. After that, I have been following a proper and balanced diet prescribed by my dietician friend and got an amazing result.” (Photo: Facebook)

Popular nutritionist Rohan Satish said, “Before taking up the Keto diet, one needs to consult a nutritionist and have a thorough check-up to know whether the diet suits their body or not. Looking at the current health and past medical history, it could be advisable or not. Many celebs got good results following the Keto diet. But without proper guidance, the result could be disastrous.”

Debopriyo, who had to reduce a huge amount of weight, shared how important it is to stay healthy and maintain a balanced diet. “I had to lose 50kg which wasn’t an easy job but I did it with the help of my trainer. Losing weight and maintaining it is a continuous process. We need to workout, have a nutritious diet and sleep properly. I follow an intermittent fasting diet. Before following any diet plan, consulting a nutritionist is a must. We should discuss our medical condition, family history with the nutritionist first. I have seen many people following unhealthy ways to lose weight, which can be disastrous. It can affect muscle, bones, cause eating disorders and other serious issues,” he said.

“I follow intermittent fasting, which needs to be done under proper guidance otherwise the result could be fatal. I do it completely under the guidance of my trainer. With such a strict diet, proper sleep is very much important as well as a balanced lifestyle. I work out and practice yoga and wake up in the morning no matter what,” said the fitness enthusiast.

Many popular actors and actresses consult Rupashree to look fit and fab on-screen too within a very short period of time. “Keto is not a sustainable diet. I have meticulously followed it for two years and got good results. Keto can help someone shed weight quickly but there are more cons than pros. Without proper guidance and knowing the medical history of the person, the result could be disastrous. It can cause bad breath, fatigue, low blood sugar, reduce bone mineral density, sleep disorder and many other issues if not consulted with a nutritionist before starting or properly followed. People with renal issues, pancreas issues, lactating mothers and many others should never follow Keto Diet. Moreover, diet charts available on the internet don’t help in reality. Whoever seeks my consultancy, I remind them that quickly losing weight won’t sustain if not maintained properly,” she said.

The actress has showcased an amazing transformation in the initial days of her career. Over these years, Swastika has realised the importance of staying healthy. “I had to lose weight initially, but it made me realise the importance of staying healthy. One thing is clear that we shouldn’t put our health at risk just to lose weight. Rather, we should have a balanced diet, full of nutrition, vitamins and minerals. Before starting any diet we should know our body, medical condition and consult an expert. Personally, I try to avoid outside food and prefer homemade food. I am also strict about my carb intake and have rice once in a week. I eat fruits and drink a lot of water. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy biryani if I have a craving. Over these years, I have realised there is no meaning of depriving your body and soul,” she laughed.

“I am blessed with a leaner physique but have to maintain it. I follow an intermittent fasting diet under proper guidance. It is important to consult a nutritionist before following any diet chart. I have my dinner within 8-9pm and have my break after a 12-hour gap. Having nutritious food, healthy lifestyle and sleep are must to stay fit,” said Rahul.

The young actress also talked about her diet preference. “I don’t follow the Keto diet. I prefer homemade food, eat fruits and drink a lot of water. I also try to have a balanced lifestyle. Yes, many-a-time, I feel the craving to have chocolate or milk-shake and have to settle for a chocolate flavoured protein shake. But, nothing can beat the charm of gorom bhaat and aloo bhaja, so I enjoy it at home without guilt,” said Shreema.

Well, Suman has his secret mantra to stay fit. “Honestly, I don’t believe in Keto or any other kind of diets. I live alone in Kolkata and maintain a very simple life-style. Oats, Muri, milk, brown rice, curd, chatu are part of my diet. I simply cook chicken stew, or sometimes enjoy muri and jhuri bhaja like today morning. I also enjoy singara, biryani and chicken chaap. But yes, being a fitness enthusiast, I workout regularly,” said Suman.