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Journalism of Courage
Body image and self-confidence are topics that many women navigate, especially after pregnancy.
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan has always been vocal about embracing her body and maintaining a positive relationship with food. During nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar’s book launch recently, she spoke about gaining 25 kgs after the birth of her second child, Jehangir Ali Khan, and how, for a brief moment, she felt the pressure to “go back” to her pre-pregnancy self. However, she quickly reassured herself that she still looked great. She said, “After Jeh’s birth, there was a moment when I felt ‘Oh my God, I have to go back and do this all over again.’ But, it was just for a flash of a second, I felt that I was still looking fab. I had gained 25 kgs, not to mention.”
Kareena also reflected self-love, revealing how she maintains her confidence. Quoting her famous dialogue from Jab We Met, she shared, “I’m someone who has actually lived by the rule ‘Main apni favourite hun (I’m my favourite person).’ That’s the only way every woman should live their life because self-belief is everything.” She added that she has never followed extreme diets or starved herself to lose weight, saying, “My relationship with food has been amazing, so I think that has really helped. It’s not like I have ever tried to starve to look thin, I am very comfortable in my own skin.”
Psychologist Anjali Gursahaney tells indianexpress.com, “Start by shifting the focus from appearance to what your body can do. Ask yourself, ‘What can my body do for me today?’ and celebrate things like energy, strength, and mobility — not just size. Redefine what progress means. Instead of chasing your pre-pregnancy body, track other meaningful changes: better sleep, increased strength, fewer cravings, and improved emotional regulation. Curate your social media feed to support this mindset — unfollow accounts promoting ‘bounce back’ culture, and follow creators who share the postpartum experience with honesty and grace. Most importantly, speak to yourself with kindness. If you wouldn’t say something to a friend who just gave birth, don’t say it to yourself either.”
Gursahaney suggests, “Start by dropping the ‘good vs bad’ label — food doesn’t need moral judgment. Chips aren’t evil and salad isn’t saintly. Let food serve as fuel, comfort, and celebration — without guilt. Practice intuitive eating by learning to listen to your hunger cues.”
Focus on routine nourishment instead of restriction. Skipping meals often leads to binging, so eat regularly — even if it feels boring. “A simple structure can help: breakfast with protein and fibre, lunch with carbs, vegetables, and fat, and an evening snack without shame. Most importantly, model balance rather than control — especially if you’re parenting. Your relationship with food will likely become theirs,” she adds.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
