Fat has always been blamed for everything from weight gain to heart disease. As a result, many Indian households moved away from traditional foods like ghee and buttermilk, replacing them with refined oils, low-fat products, and packaged “health” foods.

Ironically, during the same period, lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and gut disorders skyrocketed.

So the question arises- Were our traditional fats really the problem? Or did we misunderstand them?

Traditional Fats Were Never the Enemy

Traditional Indian diets were built on seasonal, whole foods and balanced fat consumption. Ghee, curd, buttermilk, coconut oil, and mustard oil were consumed mindfully, not excessively.

What changed?

• Refined vegetable oils replaced natural fats
• Ultra-processed foods became daily staples
• Physical activity reduced drastically

Ghee is The Most Misunderstood Superfat

• Ghee causes weight gain
• Ghee clogs arteries
• Ghee increases cholesterol
• Ghee is unhealthy for people with diabetes or heart conditions

These beliefs often come from outdated fat theories and studies that never differentiated between natural saturated fats and industrial fats.

What Science Says About Ghee

Ghee is rich in short and medium-chain fatty acids, especially butyric acid, which plays a powerful role in gut and metabolic health.

Research shows that

• Butyric acid reduces inflammation
• Supports gut lining repair
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Aids fat metabolism rather than fat storage

Unlike refined oils, ghee is stable at high temperatures, does not oxidize easily, and supports hormone balance. When consumed in controlled quantities, ghee supports satiety, helping people eat less naturally, which is key for weight loss.

Can Ghee Help With Weight Loss?

Yes, when used correctly.

Ghee keeps you fuller for longer, prevents blood sugar spikes, reduces constant hunger and cravings, and supports fat-burning metabolism. Quality and quantity is important and not the elimination of any food item.

Buttermilk (Chaas) is The Forgotten Gut Healer

• Buttermilk causes bloating
• It’s unsuitable for lactose-intolerant people
• It’s too cooling for daily consumption
• It’s not useful for weight loss

What Science Says About Buttermilk

Traditional buttermilk is fermented, not milk-based like packaged dairy drinks.

It contains natural probiotics, digestive enzymes, electrolytes, and minimal fat content.

Scientific studies confirm that fermented foods

• Improve gut microbiome diversity
• Enhance digestion and nutrient absorption
• Reduce inflammation
• Improve metabolic health

Gut health is directly linked to weight loss and disease reversal.

A healthier gut regulates appetite hormones, improves insulin response, and reduces bloating and fat storage.

Can Buttermilk Help You Lose Weight?

Absolutely.

Buttermilk improves digestion after meals, prevents overeating, reduces acidity and bloating, and keeps the body hydrated without sugar. Adding cumin, ginger, curry leaves, or rock salt further enhances its digestive power.

Excess omega-6 oils are linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance.

Replacing refined oils with ghee, coconut oil, or mustard oil can significantly improve metabolic markers over time.

Healing Happens When the Body Feels Safe

One of the biggest barriers to weight loss today is chronic inflammation. Traditional fats help reduce this inflammation, allowing the body to heal instead of constantly storing fat.

At Diet For Wellness, we see this repeatedly

• Clients who reintroduce ghee mindfully experience better digestion
• Cravings reduce naturally
• Energy levels improve
• Weight loss becomes sustainable, and not forced

How to Use Ghee and Buttermilk the Right Way

• Use homemade or grass-fed ghee
• Limit to 1–2 teaspoons per day, based on your health condition
• Avoid mixing ghee with refined carbs
• Consume buttermilk mid-day, not late night
• Prefer homemade chaas over packaged versions

Healing and weight loss come from restoring balance.

Connect with us to understand how traditional foods can become powerful tools in your healing journey.