Malaika Arora busts the ‘no carbs’ myth; says cutting carbs causes hair fall, fainting and fatigue

Fitness icon Malaika Arora reveals why carbs are essential for energy, hair health, and overall wellness. (Image: Soha Ali Khan/ YouTube)

Malaika has long been in showbiz and knows the secrets to glowing skin, healthy hair, and a fit body. The actress, who is soon going to turn 50, is admired for looking glamorous and is often asked for beauty and fashion advice. However, for her, what truly works is not just working out but also looking after her diet.

On Staying Fit at 50

On a podcast with Soha Ali Khan, Malaika shared that her fitness is a result of a little bit of everything, including her genes. She believes in being ‘vocal for local’ and has followed the philosophy all her life. The actress likes to eat everything homemade and called ghee her ‘superfood’. She also underscored the importance of sleep, water, discipline, and consistency in leading a healthy life.

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“I will be 50 but it’s just a number. I am constantly on my feet, doing things, challenging myself to be ahead of the curve. All these things make a huge difference. For me, it’s all about three things: sleep, nutrition, and looking after the mind,” she added.

On Portion Control

While many think carbs should be avoided, Malaika called it ‘the biggest myth’. She shared that cutting carbs depletes your energy, leads to hair fall, fainting, and renders you incapable of working. She said, “You need to have a little bit of everything. I believe in portion control. I have done this my entire life. I eat in a katori. You could have 3-4 meals but that’s how much you should eat. Also, I finish my meals by sunset.”

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Intermittent Fasting

Malaika is quite the champion of intermittent fasting and started the practice a few years ago because it made sense to her. She shared that it was tough initially, with headaches, but her body is used to it now. Her fasting window is typically between 16 to 18 hours. Now, she does it just thrice a week and shared that it makes her feel lighter and more energetic.