Keto, no-carb or intermittent fasting? Tamannaah Bhatia’s trainer shares the real secret to staying fit

In today’s world of endless weight-loss hacks and trendy diet plans, it’s easy to get lost between what’s effective and what’s just hype.

From keto to no-carb and intermittent fasting, each of these diets comes with its own promise of quick results and science-backed benefits. But which one actually delivers long-term weight loss?

Celebrity fitness trainer Siddhartha Singh, known for training actor Tamannaah Bhatia, recently shared his thoughts on Instagram and his answer to this much-debated question is refreshingly simple.

But before that, let’s look at what each of these popular diets really involves.

What is the Keto diet?

The Keto diet (ketogenic diet) is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat plan designed to push your body into a state called ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs.

When you cut down carbs drastically, your body runs out of glucose, its usual energy source. To compensate, it begins to break down stored fat into ketones, which then serve as energy. This shift encourages fat burning and may naturally reduce appetite, aiding weight loss.

Foods you can eat

• Healthy fats such as olive oil, ghee, butter, and coconut oil
• Protein sources like eggs, chicken, fish, paneer, and tofu
• Low-carb vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, zucchini, and cauliflower
• Nuts, seeds, and full-fat dairy including cheese

Foods to avoid

• Grains like rice, wheat, oats, and corn
• Sugar, sweets, and sugary foods
• Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet corn, and peas
• Most fruits (except small portions of berries)
• Processed, high-carb items like bread, biscuits, and pasta

No-carb diet

The no-carb diet is a stricter version of low-carb eating where carbohydrates are almost completely removed from the menu. The focus is mainly on fats and proteins.

With no carbs available, the body is forced to draw energy from stored fat and protein, leading to rapid fat loss initially. However, this diet can be hard to maintain and might result in nutrient deficiencies if not properly managed.

Foods you can eat

• Meat, fish, and eggs
• Cheese and full-fat dairy
• Oils, butter, and ghee
• Small portions of non-starchy vegetables

Foods to avoid

• All carb sources including rice, bread, pasta, fruits, grains, and legumes
• Starchy vegetables such as potatoes and yams
• Sugar, sweets, and sugary drinks
• Most packaged or processed foods

Intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting focuses on when you eat, not what you eat. It involves alternating between eating and fasting periods, with popular patterns like the 16:8 method which means fasting for 16 hours and eating during an 8-hour window.

During fasting, insulin levels drop, allowing the body to burn stored fat for energy. It also limits calorie intake since fewer meals are eaten throughout the day.

What to eat and drink

• During eating hours: balanced meals containing protein, fibre, healthy fats, and complex carbs
• During fasting hours: only water, black coffee, or green tea (without sugar or milk)

What to avoid

• During eating hours: processed food, sugar, and junk
• During fasting hours: solid food, juice, milk, or anything with calories

So, which diet is best?

In his video, Siddhartha Singh addressed the question everyone asks:

“Does the keto diet work? Yes, it does. Until you start craving a sandwich.”

“Does no-carb work? Yes, it works. Until you start craving carbs so much that it’s the only thing you can think about.”

“Does intermittent fasting work? Yes, it works. Until you wake up in the morning and all you can think about is having breakfast.”

According to Siddhartha, the real secret to effective weight loss lies in sustainability, not shortcuts.

“You see, all diets work, provided you are consistent in following them. Before getting on a diet, ask yourself this question: Can I eat like this or follow this diet for the rest of my life? If the answer is no, you’re just going to end up being miserable.”

Instead of chasing the next trending diet, choose a lifestyle that you can actually maintain. Consistency, balance, and realistic habits are what truly lead to lasting results.

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