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Times have changed. You already know that. But there are a few things we don't actually realise when it comes to the world of health and fitness. And I want to cover a few of those.
Imagine growing up in a house where every corner offers you unsolicited health advice
One uncle swears rice will instantly give you diabetes
An auntie warns eating after 7 PM means your food turns straight into fat
Your mum? She’s convinced a spoonful of ghee a day is the cure for everything from bad grades to back pain
And let’s not forget your neighbour’s cousin's niece who claims green tea is the secret to burning belly fat overnight
Meanwhile, you're sitting there Googling if a humble banana after 8pm is going to silently kill you in your sleep
Sound familiar?
Welcome to the wonderful world of South Asian household health myths – a cultural rollercoaster where love, tradition, and good intentions collide with straight-up misinformation. It's like being stuck in a game of Chinese whispers, except the prize is chronic confusion and a warped relationship with food
Let’s get one thing straight: our elders didn’t intentionally lead us astray. They passed down what they were taught. But here’s the catch – just because something’s been said for generations doesn’t make it true. If that were the case, we’d still be using leeches to cure a cold
What we’re dealing with is a recipe full of outdated ingredients:
“Eat less, move more.” Sounds simple until you’re starving, miserable, and still not losing weight
“Don't eat carbs at night.” Because apparently, rice knows how to tell the time?
“Skip breakfast to burn fat.” Right, because fat magically melts when you're hangry and dizzy
“Weightlifting makes women bulky.” As if muscle sneaks up on you like a jump scare
It’s like trying to bake a cake with flour from 1972 and wondering why it doesn’t rise
In South Asian homes, love is shown through food. Seconds aren’t a suggestion – they’re a requirement. Saying no to another roti is like slapping someone in the face.
We were raised to:
Clean our plates (because wasting food = disrespect)
Believe a growing belly means “you’re being looked after”
Think prioritising your health is selfish, especially for women
And when you finally decide to get fit? Suddenly you’re the “self-obsessed” one. “Oh, look who’s too posh to eat parathas now.”
It’s a lose-lose situation. You’re either following traditions and feeling stuck… or breaking free and getting side-eyed at family dinners
Getting healthy isn’t just about learning new things. It’s about unlearning decades of nonsense. It means:
Smiling when mum suggests a ginger-garlic detox and doing your own thing anyway
Ignoring WhatsApp University forwards promising miracle cures
Choosing a protein shake over a fried snack and not feeling guilty about it
It's not “disrespect” – it's self-preservation..
Imagine trying to drive a modern car using instructions for a bullock cart. That’s what most of us are doing when we follow outdated advice in a world flooded with new science and better tools.
Here’s the truth bomb: you don’t need to detox. Your liver does that
You don’t need to eat at specific hours. Calories don’t wear watches
You don’t need to fear carbs. You need to understand portion control
What you do need:
A basic understanding of energy balance (calories in vs. out)
Regular movement (not just chasing after the kids)
Enough protein (and no, daal alone won’t cut it)
Sleep, water, and consistency (boring, I know)
No magic. Just method
The next time someone drops a myth on your plate, here’s your strategy:
Nod politely
Smile
Then do what actually works
You’re not broken. You’re not “too old” or “too busy.” You’ve just been misled
Now it’s your turn to rewrite the script. Keep the culture. Keep the flavour
But ditch the guilt, the pseudoscience, and the shame-based food rules
This isn’t about disrespecting your elders. It’s about giving yourself a fighting chance
Because no, eating rice after 7pm won’t ruin your life
No, lifting weights won’t turn you into The Hulk
And no, you don’t need to survive on soup and sadness to lose weight
What you need is evidence, not emotional blackmail disguised as health advice
Take what serves you. Leave what doesn’t
And remember – evolution isn’t betrayal. It’s growth
