Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who has been managing myositis, an autoimmune condition, recently opened up about her diet, fitness, and way of life in a chat with celebrity nutrition coach Ryan Fernando. “My diet is a bit strict. Before, it was nowhere close to what it is now. I was a big foodie. Junk food pro max. Everything. You thought you were invincible. You thought you were young…nothing affected me…I was always on the skinnier side and never really put on weight…so I could eat anything…at least I thought that…I didn’t think it was just about the weight, but it was a buildup of a lot of inflammation that could manifest in various other issues. Everyone thinks junk food is associated with weight gain, but it is associated with so much more,” said The Family Man actor.
Talking about her “anti-inflammatory” diet, which is “being used a lot now,” Samantha, 38, added, “It’s basically just finding out what doesn’t work for you and eliminating it from your diet…you strictly do it…there are no cheat days. I don’t think I have a cheat day.”
She also stressed that she eats the same thing every day. “It’s just the same kind of food for me every single day, and now I am used to it. People tend to sympathise with my diet all the time! But it’s a way of life for me. I love what I eat. In fact, ask me to eat a doughnut. No offence, but I can’t eat it. My food is the same every single day, so there is not really much thought in deciding on too many things. My greatest flex is my biomarkers,” she shared.
As a must-have, she admitted that one can find cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, along with celery, acai berry, turmeric, ghee, and cold-pressed oils — a “lot of good fats” — in her kitchen. “For some reason, spinach and kale don’t agree. I don’t know why,” said Samantha.
Here’s why it is essential to care for your gut (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
She also admitted to never having “tried any extreme diets because I think they are not sustainable,” and that she no longer gets cravings “, how I used to have.” Continuing, Samantha said that while she doesn’t like desserts, she prefers to have “gluten-free and sugar-free ones” in case she does have one. “Yes, I drink a lot of water,” Samantha said, also advising strength training and being intuitive about one’s health to understand one’s body better.
During the conversation, she also mentioned that she is particular about buying organic food and approves shopping lists on a weekly basis. “I don’t have a travelling fancy chef. However, I have an assistant who prepares my meals and has been with me ever since my first film. He didn’t even know how to make coffee, and now he can quickly whip up food,” said Samantha.
Taking a cue from her, let’s examine why spinach and kale may not be suitable for specific individuals.
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Certified diabetes educator Kanikka Malhotra said while oxalic acid in spinach is higher compared to kale and other vegetables, its effect on non-heme iron absorption appears to be minor in humans.
“Spinach and kale contain significant amounts of oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound that can bind minerals such as calcium, forming insoluble complexes that reduce their bioavailability and potentially impair mineral absorption. However, high oxalate intake may contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals, especially when urinary oxalate concentrations are elevated,” said Malhotra.
Additionally, consuming these greens raw can increase the risk of digestive discomforts, such as bloating, gas, and acidity, particularly in individuals with sensitive gastrointestinal systems, due to the combined effects of oxalates and fibre.
According to Malhotra, cooking methods like boiling, steaming, or blanching significantly reduce oxalate levels, thereby enhancing nutrient bioavailability and minimising adverse digestive effects.
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“Therefore, for individuals experiencing intolerance or digestive issues, lightly cooking spinach and kale is scientifically advisable to optimise nutrient uptake and reduce potential risks associated with oxalates,” said Malhotra.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
