Dieting To Lose Weight? Be Aware of These Common Weight Loss Diet Myths
For those of you looking to lose weight, listen up. According to research from Berkeley, each year, Americans spend over $40,000,000,000 trying to lose weight using weight loss products, yet 95% gain the weight back and more in the following one to five years.
The primary reason for this is that bad information or weight loss myths and facts can cause people to try things that may not be the best for their health or for losing weight.
Follow along as we debunk the most common myths about weight loss and which diet myths you should avoid to have a better chance of losing weight and keeping it off.
1. You Can’t Eat Carbs
This is arguably one of the most popular diet myths that’s going around the health and fitness community. You should include carbohydrates in a healthy balanced diet as they can be excellent sources of energy to keep you active and your metabolism running. Carbs can also aid in protein sparing—a process by which the body derives energy from sources other than protein—thus letting protein do its job of preserving the body’s muscle mass rather than acting as an energy source.
The more important thing to consider is the source of the carb you are eating. There are two main types of carbs to consider:
- Complex or “good” carbs and,
- Simple or “bad” carbs
Complex carbs consist of foods like beans, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. Simple carbs are essentially sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and maple syrup.
2. Fats will Make You “Fat.”
In the world of macro nutrients, fats have been mistreated throughout history, making them one of the most common food myths.
The low-fat diet was a popular trend in America after a new set of dietary guidelines was released. This led to several weight loss myths and facts that are still common today like low-fat options will make you lose weight. Just like carbohydrates, some fats are good, and others you should avoid.
Fats to consume – fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), avocados, and extra virgin olive oil.
Fats to avoid – margarine, vegetable shortening, ice cream, cheese, and animal fats.
3. All Calories are Equal
Some people think counting calories is the way to go about dieting. However, it’s important to note that not all calories are the same.
The calories from drinking a two-liter of soda will not be processed the same by your body as that chicken breast or vegetables will. Focus on eating healthy whole foods and avoid foods that are processed or mainly sugar-based.
4. Dieting = Suffering
Arguably the biggest diet myth that’s been debunked is the idea that dieting means suffering. Dieting doesn’t have to be a forced thing. Instead of listening to the myths about healthy eating, focus on eating wholesome meals balanced with lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. And avoid any diet that:
- Cuts out macro nutrients
- Restricts your eating too much
- Claims you will lose weight instantly
If you focus on eating the right foods and avoid foods that are bad for you, dieting can be a simple process.
Diet Myths: Losing Weight the Right Way
Avoiding these few diet myths will help you on your weight loss journey. It’s important to consider that weight loss is a journey, not a destination. It takes consistent focus and discipline. Don’t fall for the common myths about weight loss that can fool you into thinking something that isn’t necessarily true.
If you are looking for help losing weight or need help with your diet, contact us today, and we can help answer your questions.
