For many people trying to lose weight, the hardest food to give up may not be the one with the most calories. It could be the plate of pilau linked to family gatherings, the mahamri enjoyed during childhood or the chocolate associated with a parent's affection.
These emotional and cultural connections can make weight management far more complicated than simply following a diet plan, according to bariatric counsellor Akinyi Wambui.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Friday, Wambui said successful weight loss should begin with understanding the individual behind the eating habits, including their lifestyle, emotions, culture and relationship with food.
She said people should not necessarily be forced to abandon foods that are important to them. Instead, such foods can be adjusted to meet their nutritional needs while preserving the memories and connections attached to them.
"Food means different things to different people. Someone may tell another person from the Coast to reduce foods such as pilau or mahamri, but to them that is family. When we come together, that is what brings us together. Perhaps it was the favourite food that was made when they were young. What we do is nutritionally rearrange the plate to still keep that connection, but feed the body what it needs for that particular time."
Wambui said there is no universal formula for losing weight, noting that plans must reflect how a person lives, their level of activity and their age.
"We literally look at your lifestyle. Maybe you do not have an active lifestyle, but you still need to lose weight. We give you a plan that is suited for you. Weight loss is very individual. It is not one size fits all. You come, we assess what you do, what you like, how your lifestyle is, and also the age set that you are in."
But beyond meal portions and physical activity, Wambui said emotions can have a powerful influence on eating behaviour.
She explained that some people eat not because they are hungry, but because food offers comfort during periods of stress, sadness or other emotional difficulties. With time, this behaviour can become a habit, prompting people to consume more food in search of the same feeling of comfort.
She cautioned against viewing food addiction only through the lens of processed or junk foods. Familiar meals such as ugali, nyama choma and vegetables can also become comfort foods when they are strongly tied to personal memories and cultural experiences.
Childhood experiences can also shape cravings later in life. Wambui said people who identify as having a sweet tooth may have developed an emotional connection to sugary foods after associating them with positive childhood experiences.
For someone who received chocolates from a parent, for instance, sweets may later become a source of comfort during difficult moments.
This, she said, explains why abruptly removing certain foods can be emotionally difficult. For some people, giving up a familiar food can feel like losing more than a meal—it can mean letting go of a source of comfort, memory and emotional security.