Top 7 Diet & Nutrition Myths Exposed! Interesting Nutrition Facts
Real Weight Loss Tips
Losing weight and keeping it off are a challenge for most of us, and ‘diet gurus’ continue to come up with new rules and guidelines all the time. How can you lose weight without going on an extreme crash diet or sabotaging your health? If you’re tired of falling for the latest diet gimmick and want to lose weight naturally, make sure you’re not still believing any of these diet and nutrition myths.
Diet Myth #1: Drinking Water Before Meals Reduces the Appetite
Fact: While it may seem like common sense to fill up your stomach with liquid before eating to feel fuller quickly, you won’t be able to ‘trick’ your body for very long. Your appetite is also controlled by how many calories you consume, and how satisfied you feel after eating. Eating a liquid-based meal such as a hearty and nutritious soup may be much more filling than eating a slice of bread and drinking lots of water with it. Still, it’s a good idea to drink water regularly throughout the day to stay well hydrated.
Diet Myth #2: Carbs Make You Fat
Fact: You need generous helpings of healthy carbs to lose weight. According to Warren Peary, author of the book “The Ten Biggest Diet Myths and Greatest Health Secrets Revealed", a healthy plant-based diet is one of the best ways to lose weight and maintain a high energy level. Plant based diets are comprised of healthy carbs, the type of carbs that give you a steady stream of energy and do not cause blood sugar spikes. Stick with green leafy vegetables and wholesome, nutritious veggies from the garden to make sure you’re eating the right type of carbohydrates throughout the day.
Diet Myth #3: Skipping Meals Can Help You Lose Weight
Fact: When your body and mind think they’re starving, you’re much more likely to conserve calories and slow down your metabolism. You’re also much more likely to overeat or binge at the next opportunity; eating small, well-balanced meals throughout the day is a great strategy for keeping hunger at bay and keeping the weight off.
Diet Myth #4: ‘Fat Free’ is the Best Choice
Fact: Even if the label says that the food has zero grams of fat, that doesn’t make it a healthy choice. Your body needs a steady source of healthy fats for tissue repair, and to transport vitamins around the body. Cutting out saturated fat is always a good idea, but you need to eat a variety of healthy fats found in fish, nuts, olive oil and avocados to stay healthy and keep that metabolism running strong.
Diet Myth #5: Red Meat is Bad for You
Fact: Red meat does contain a significant amount of saturated fat, but there are ways to trim the fat from almost all types of meat. Red meat contains important nutrients and minerals including iron and vitamin B. Most people don’t get these nutrients from other foods in the diet, so it may be necessary to eat some red meat on a regular basis. Tenderloin, top round roast and top sirloin are your healthiest picks.
Diet Myth #6: Brown Eggs are Healthier than White Eggs
Fact: The Egg Nutrition Council reports that the difference in color has nothing to do with nutritional value. Both brown-shelled and white-shelled eggs contain the same number of calories, fat and cholesterol. The only difference is what type of hen the eggs come from.
Diet Myth #7: Diet Soda is Better than Regular Soda
Fact: Today’s leading diet soda brands are made with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and Splenda, and even though these beverages are low in calories, they can still trigger a blood sugar spike in some people. Plus, aspartame has been linked to a number of health problems and can cause adverse side effects with continuous consumption. The healthiest choice is to drink fresh water, green tea or juice when you’re feeling thirsty.
