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AIIMS-trained doctor shares ‘8 snacks to have instead of Coke and Pepsi to avoid liver damage’
Lifestyle

AIIMS-trained doctor shares ‘8 snacks to have instead of Coke and Pepsi to avoid liver damage’

by jummy84
written by jummy84

When you go out, do you always end up ordering carbonated soft drinks that are full of sugar? If yes, you may not be making the best choice for your overall health. Several studies have proven that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks can lead to health complications like weight gain, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, tooth decay, and more.

Sodas damage your gut and liver over time. Here are 8 better alternatives. (Freepik)

Also Read | Anesthesiologist warns ‘not having muscle mass after 30 can lead to diabetes’ as your body can’t process sugar

But what is the alternative? Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, revealed eight snacks that he recommends to his patients as alternatives to carbonated soft drinks, such as Coke and Pepsi.

8 better snacks to choose instead of sugar-sweetened drinks

Sharing the 8 snacks/drinks he recommends to his patients instead of Coke and Pepsi, Dr Sethi warned, “Sodas damage your gut and liver over time.” Let’s find out what other drinks you can have without harming your health:

1. Sparkling water with lime/lemon

Dr Sethi recommends sparkling water with lime/lemon as it has the same fizz that sugar carbonated drinks offer without the sugar or artificial sweeteners to damage your gut or liver.

2. Unsweetened iced tea

Polyphenols present in teas support gut and liver health without the sugar crash, per the gastroenterologist.

3. Infused water (with cucumber, mint, or berries, and more)

According to Dr Sethi, drinking infused water in place of soft drinks not only boosts hydration and provides antioxidants, but it is also a refreshing and natural alternative.

4. Kombucha (low-sugar variant)

Dr Sethi recommends kombucha because it contains fermented probiotics that support the gut microbiome.

8 snacks/drinks to have instead of Coke and Pepsi. (ChatGPT)
8 snacks/drinks to have instead of Coke and Pepsi. (ChatGPT)

5. Coconut water (no added sugar)

“Electrolytes + hydration[in coconut water] make it a natural alternative to soda,” the gastroenterologist wrote, as he recommended coconut water.

6. Green or black tea

Dr Sethi suggests having green or black tea with or without a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based) as the polyphenols and gentle caffeine present in them support gut and liver health.

7. Coffee

“Black or with a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based) → antioxidants linked to lower liver disease risk,” he recommended.

8. Plain water

Lastly, Dr Sethi pointed out that above all the other drinks, plain water is still the best drink for gut, liver, and metabolic health.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

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Tamannaah Bhatia's fitness trainer reveals 5 worst foods for weight loss: Aloo paratha, Coke, bhatura and more
Lifestyle

Tamannaah Bhatia’s fitness trainer reveals 5 worst foods for weight loss: Aloo paratha, Coke, bhatura and more

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Siddhartha Singh, who keeps sharing workout videos from his sessions with actor Tamannaah Bhatia, took to Instagram on August 15 to share his advice for weight loss as he highlighted five types of food to avoid or limit. Siddhartha said you should avoid sugary drinks like ‘normal Coke’ due to their high empty-calorie content. Also read | 7 weight loss myths busted by celebrity fitness trainer Tridev Pandey: ‘Never go for Ozempic…’

The fitness coach suggested you avoid eating aloo parathas on their own for their lack of nutritional value. (Representative picture: Freepik)

He added that dal (lentils), which is seen as a high-protein source, is actually higher in carbohydrates. He also criticised homemade aloo parathas (potato-stuffed flatbreads) for their lack of nutritional value unless paired with protein, which increases overall calories.

Siddhartha flagged fried foods, such as bhature (deep-fried bread made from refined flour), for their high calorie count per serving. He also added that packaged processed foods, such as instant noodles, which are primarily made of refined flour, should also be avoided due to their minimal nutritional benefit and high carbohydrate content.

Coke ‘has 100 to 150 calories, just empty calories’

In the video he posted, Siddhartha said in Punjabi, “These are the five worst foods for weight loss. Number one is Coke. This is not Diet Coke, normal Coke. It has 100 to 150 calories, just empty calories. Number two is dal. Dal, when used as a source of protein, is more of a carbohydrate source and less of a protein source.”

‘One bhatura has 150 calories’

He added, “On number three comes your favourite homemade aloo parathas. These also have no nutritional value, unless you eat some protein with them, but then the calories will increase a lot. For fat loss, avoid them. Number four – fried foods, like this bhatura. One bhatura has 150 calories, and if you eat one bhatura, or if you eat two bhature with chole (chickpea curry), 500-600 calories are gone, and so are your weight loss dreams.”

Siddhartha concluded: “And lastly, comes these packaged things, like this ‘paharon wali’ (hinting at Maggi, a comfort food that many love to eat during a trip to the mountains), you know what, I can’t take its name otherwise they’ll send a legal notice. But this is also just refined flour that will get stuck in the intestines of your stomach. Technically, it doesn’t happen like that, but you get the idea – just carbohydrates, and it doesn’t keep your stomach full.”

Looking for more weight loss diet tips? In a January 2025 Instagram post, a nutritionist shared 10 foods she stopped eating on her 20 kg weight loss journey, including packed yoghurt, cakes, and ice cream. Click here to check out her full list.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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