Kushboo got rid of this protein in her diet to lose 38 kg in 4 years

Kushboo proudly flaunted her beautiful curves when Kollywood was ruled by slim actresses. However, recently she underwent a major transformation by losing a significant amount of weight. Kushboo managed to shed 38 kilos in under four years. Meanwhile, social media was brimming with comments that the actress had lost weight as she suffers from lifestyle diseases like diabetes. Recently, in an interview with a Tamil news portal, Kushboo opened up about her weight-loss journey. 

Kushboo says, "It is important to maintain the ideal body weight for your age. I am 55 and do not have high blood pressure or diabetes. However, my mother has high blood pressure. So, there is a high risk that I have it. I have already ‘inherited’ migraine and sinus issues from my parents, and I was determined not to get high blood pressure. I weighed 98 kilos when I acted in Annaatthe with Rajnikant. The filming was done in a huge house. I suffered from severe knee pain and suffocation while climbing steps or running. I used to get scared seeing the size of my face in photos with my family."  

The weight loss journey
Kushbu says her doctor advised her to lose weight to prevent diabetes and knee pain. "I started my weight loss journey during the COVID times. It took me four years to attain my current weight. I got rid of gluten from my diet. There is no all-purpose flour or chapati in my diet. My daughter and I started losing weight swiftly when we avoided gluten," she says.

To live a healthy life is very important, Kushbo says. "I was slim when I came into the movies, and the audience received me then. Although there were some criticisms when I put on weight, the audience still loved me. I am sure people will accept my new look after some time,” says Kushboo. 

What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found naturally in certain grains, including wheat. It is present in most food items that claim to be protein-rich. If you are gluten-intolerant, it might cause digestive issues. Stomach ache, itching, gas and dysentery are some of the symptoms of gluten allergy. It must be noted that gluten intolerance is different from gluten allergy. You might feel bloated, and digestion may slow down after eating foods made with wheat or all-purpose flour. However, there wouldn’t be any other visible symptoms of gluten intolerance. Meanwhile, more studies and research are being conducted about these strange gluten reactions.

What doctor says
According to Dr Manju P George, Chief Dietitian at VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, avoiding gluten alone need not lead to weight loss for everyone. "Gluten could be a factor for intolerance in some people, causing conditions like bloating. If a person feels that they have gluten sensitivity, and it is causing such reactions in their body, they can try avoiding gluten. So, we can't say that going gluten-free can lead to weight loss in everyone," she says. It is possible to check what food intolerances our body has. The decision to cut something out of our diet should be made after such checks, the doctor says.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a gluten-free diet eliminate?
Wheat, the cereal triticale, barley and rye. However, to be certain whether a food item is free of labels, it's important to read a food's nutrition label carefully. Gluten can even be found in salad dressings, ice creams, marinades, gravies, sauces, seafood, energy bars and more. 

2. What international platforms opine on avoiding gluten
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is no evidence that removing gluten alone can result in weight loss. However, when a person starts a gluten-free diet, they often make healthier food choices and read food labels carefully. It encourages you to eat more whole foods, such as lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, which leads to lower-carb intake and eventually weight loss. 

3. Does gluten-free always mean healthy?
No. Dietitian Mia DiGernonimo of the Cleveland Clinic says many gluten-free foods can be high in sugar and fat, making them calorie-dense. Therefore, just being 'gluten-free' doesn't mean completely healthy. 
4. What are the gluten-free grains?
Buckwheat, corn, millet, amaranth, rice, teff and sorghum are a few gluten-free grains.