4 min learnNew DelhiAug 7, 2026 02:16 PM IST
Indian boxer Priya Ghanghas, who gained a gold medal within the girls’s 60kg class on the Commonwealth Video games 2026 in Glasgow, lately shared how, as a sports activities individual, weight points are at all times a priority. “Boxing has loads of weight points. So, I had given up on sweets. However now, I’ll eat. Jalebis and ghewar because it’s in season,” she instructed ANI.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
Intrigued by her revelation, we reached out to an knowledgeable to grasp how a no-sugar eating regimen helps athletes.
Dt Amreen Sheikh, chief dietitian, KIMS Hospitals Thane, mentioned that athletes must go for high-quality carbohydrates for power and on the similar time keep away from extreme added sugar. “It’s definitely true that chopping down on extra added sugar can have advantages for normal well being by enhancing power stability, physique composition and metabolic well being. But merely eliminating sugar doesn’t imply that athletic efficiency will enhance. In truth, efficiency is set by the general high quality of the diet, by having satisfactory calorie consumption, by staying nicely hydrated, by getting sufficient sleep and by following a correctly deliberate coaching programme. Athletes want sufficient carbohydrates each earlier than and after train with a view to refill their power shops and to assist with muscle restoration. A eating regimen that’s too restrictive can at occasions do extra hurt than good,” mentioned Sheikh.
What to notice?
In keeping with the knowledgeable, it’s higher to focus on chopping down on meals that include added sugars quite than on avoiding all sources of sugar. “Drinks corresponding to tender drinks, desserts, packaged snacks and sweetened drinks present energy with out a lot dietary worth and may subsequently be eaten in small quantities. Alternatively, there is no such thing as a must keep away from fruits or dairy merchandise since these supply vital vitamins along with pure sugars. A balanced and sustainable manner of eating is far more efficient for long-term weight management than chopping out sugar fully,” mentioned Sheikh.
Food regimen must be in examine (Photograph: Freepik)
Sheikh additionally emphasised {that a} frequent fantasy is the concept if one thing is labelled ‘sugar-free’ it have to be wholesome. “Regardless that a product is marketed as sugar-free, it might nonetheless be fairly processed, excessive in energy, or include loads of unhealthy fat and refined starches. Additionally it is a mistake to suppose that each one sugars are unhealthy; the way in which our physique reacts to sugars that happen naturally in complete meals is totally different from the way in which it responds to sugars which were added to processed meals,” mentioned Sheikh.
People ought to think about consuming meals which might be as shut as doable to their pure state, examine the ingredient lists and put together meals that include complete grains, lean protein, wholesome fat, and a very good quantity of fruit and greens. “A balanced eating regimen, not an excessive restriction, remains to be the perfect method for reaching each good well being and good efficiency,” added Sheikh.
