Everyday we are bombarded with seemingly new, and most often confusing information about what is the best way to lose weight. There are fat burning pills, exercise machines, low fat diet snacks and diet tips galore.
It is important to know the truth behind these weight loss myths. Here are 7 myths and facts of weight loss:
Myth #1 – To lose weight you have to eat less by skipping meals
Fact : You should not skip any meals at all.
You definitely should not skip any meals. Doing so will trigger your body to go into starvation mode. This will slow down your body metabolism and fat burning, which is the exact opposite of what you need in to lose weight.
Myth # 2 – Low fat means low calories
Fact: Many processed food that claim “low-fat” have high calories
Low fat or non-fat foods are often lower in calories than the same portion of full fat food. However, many processed foods that are “low fat” or “non fat” have just as many calories. They may contain sugar, flour, starch, thickeners to improve flavour and these ingredients add calories.
Myth # 3 – You don’t have to count calories
Fact: You should count the calories of what you eat
Counting calories is important as it increases your awareness of what you are eating. If you don’t have the slightest idea of how many calories you are eating, you’re more likely to eat more than you realize.
Rather than writing every calorie one by one from everything you eat, you should create a weekly menu plan with the calories and nutrition information. This will serve as a guideline and you only need to count calories once.
Myth # 4 – Don’t snack
Fact : You should eat many small meals throughout the day.
Eating a snack between lunch and dinner helps to keep the body metabolic rate up and maintain the fat burning. However, choose healthy snacks such as nuts and seeds, fruits and yoghurt rather than potato chips and biscuits.
Myth # 5 – Carbohydrate makes you fat
Fact: Carbohydrate is necessary for a balance diet.
Not all carbohydrates are created equal. There are the good carbohydrate and the bad ones. The bad carbohydrates are the refined, processed carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, noodles, biscuits, cakes and potato. They are easily digested into sugar and converted to fat in the body.
The good carbohydrates are the low glycemic index food such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables that are slower to digest and does not surge the blood sugar level. They provide a steady release of sugar and energy.
Myth # 6 – Diet pills will take off fats and keep it off
Fact: Diet pills may give quick results but it treat the symptoms not the root causes.
Most diet pills are either appetite suppressant or fat blockers. They only treat the symptoms of weight gain but not the root cause. The root cause of weight gain is the energy imbalance from eating more than the body needs. The excess calories are stored as fat. The only way to treat the root cause of weight gain is to change your lifestyle of eating nutritional rich food and exercise regularly.
Myth #7 – Nuts are fattening
Fact: Nuts contains good fats that can help lose weight
Nuts certainly contain high calories and fat. But, they contain good fat of essential fatty acids or Omega-3. Such fat increase the metabolic rate and burn more calories and fat. Nuts are a rich source of protein, fiber and minerals.
Losing weight is not an overnight quick fix. It is about changing your lifestyle of eating healthily and exercising regularly. There is no short cut to that.
What other myths have you heard for weight loss? Share with me in the comment box below.
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