Mumbai: Imagine eating halwa without sugar. Would you like to eat it? Definitely no. But we have often heard from our favourite celebrities talking about cutting down on sugar or entirely avoiding it for health concerns.

Orhan Awatramani, widely known as Orry, recently shared his dramatic weight loss journey during an episode of the podcast, ‘Dumb Biryani’ hosted by Arhaan Khan, the son of Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan.

Orry revealed he lost 23 kilograms and now weighs around 50 kg, largely due to his strict zero-sugar diet. He opened up about his disciplined eating habits, a focused nutritional plan can bring about impressive fitness transformations including eating home-cooked meals similar to those in traditional Indian households.

Orry’s diet

Orry described his strict eating routine, mentioning that he often begins his day with an egg white omelette and sometimes skips meals entirely, occasionally having dinner based on availability. He credited his zero-sugar diet as a key factor in his 23 kg weight loss. Though his current weight is around 50-51 kg, he mentioned that his goal is to reach 47 kg. But what exactly is a zero-sugar-tolerant diet?

Zero-sugar diet

A zero-sugar diet is a highly restrictive plan that eliminates added sugars and significantly reduces natural sugars to promote better health and weight management. This diet excludes refined sugars, sweeteners, and syrups commonly found in processed foods such as candies, soft drinks, and desserts.

While some diets may allow natural sugars from fruits, this approach focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, including vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, with a strong emphasis on minimising sugar intake.

Zero-sugar diet: The good and the bad

A zero-sugar diet can promote weight loss and better health but may lead to nutritional deficiencies and cravings due to its strict restrictions.

Good

• A zero-sugar diet promotes weight loss by eliminating added sugars and calorie-rich sweeteners, resulting in lower calorie consumption and gradual weight reduction.
• It aids in regulating blood sugar levels, which helps minimise the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• The focus on whole, unprocessed foods increases the intake of essential nutrients, enhancing the overall nutritional value of the diet.
• Reducing sugar intake supports better heart health by lowering risk factors such as high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Bad

• A key disadvantage of a zero-sugar diet is the risk of nutritional deficiencies, as avoiding natural sugars in fruits may cause a lack of essential nutrients and dietary fibre necessary for well-being.
• The rigid food restrictions can complicate meal planning and make dining out more challenging.
• These strict limitations may also trigger cravings or emotional eating, and indulgence can result in guilt and feelings of deprivation, potentially damaging one’s relationship with food.

Celebrities who don’t eat sugar

Here are some celebrities who have reduced or eliminated sugar from their diets:

• Jennifer Aniston: Restricts foods and beverages containing added sugars, which can raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Halle Berry: As a diabetic, she avoids sugar entirely and suggests using Xylitol as a sugar alternative.
• Kourtney Kardashian: Steers clear of sugar, gluten, dairy, and red meat for a healthier lifestyle.
• Tom Hanks: Reduces his sugar intake and follows a daily exercise routine after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
• John Abraham: The actor hasn’t consumed sugar for nearly 30 years, considering it the ‘biggest poison’ and advocating for a lifestyle akin to that of a farmer.
• Jacqueline Fernandez: She avoids processed sugar, opting instead for natural and raw foods.
• Hrithik Roshan: While promoting chocolate brands, the actor has confessed to avoiding sugar.
• Alia Bhatt: Like Hrithik Roshan, she has admitted to steering clear of sugar despite endorsing chocolate brands.