With all the trendy diets and health tips out there, it’s hard to keep track of what true and what’s not. Here are 12 common weight loss myths you can cross off your weight loss plan. Read on to learn about diet and losing weight.
• Snacking is Bad News
You don’t need to starve yourself to lose weight. Studies have shown that healthy snacking is a great way to prevent binges later on, helping you stick to a healthy diet in the long run.
• You Should Never Eat Fast Food
Most fast food isn’t the best option if you’re trying to lose weight. But every once in awhile is ok, and can help prevent binges. Try healthier options on the menu -choose grilled over fried and keep dressings on the side.
• Always Avoid Carbs
Not all carbs are bad. Complex carbohydrates – think whole grains – help you load up with nutrients and fiber and give you energy for a tough workout. Try brown rice and whole grain bread.
• Certain “Superfoods” Burn More Calories
The jury’s still out on whether certain foods can actually boost your metabolism, helping you to burn more calories.
• Consistent Exercise and Dieting Will Guarantee Weight Loss
As we age our metabolism slows down. That means that as you get older, you may have to exercise more and eat less to avoid gaining weight. Be willing to change things up and strive for a healthy.
• Crunches will Eliminate that Belly Fat
Crunches are great for building a strong core, but they won’t directly get rid of a belly. Exercises that target certain body areas will help you build that muscle, but won’t necessarily help you shrink that specific area.
• No More Midnight Snacks
The problem with eating right before bedtime is not the timing; it’s the type of snacks we choose. Think about all the countries where people regularly eat dinner as late as 9 or 10PM without problems. So keep your midnight snack when you’re really craving it, but stick to something healthy.
• Eating Breakfast will make You Lose Weight
The studies about the benefits of breakfast show contradictory results. In some cases, eating breakfast can help you control those morning hunger pangs and boost metabolism, but for other people, it may just be adding calories.
• Avoid Fat at All Costs
Fats are not made equal. Many types of fat are a crucial to maintaining your health. Stay away from saturated fats, but say yes to mono-saturated fats like olive oil.
• Some People Eat More and Still Lose Weight
Losing weight is a matter of burning more calories than you eat. Some people may seem like they can eat more, but like everyone else, those people have to burn more calories than they take in to lose weight.
• Always Stick to Fat-free and Low-fat Foods
Sometimes low-fat options may be a good choice, but look closely at the nutrition label before you buy. Many fat-free foods add sugar or starch to improve the flavor and actually don’t save you many calories.
• Skipping Meals will Help Me Lose Weight
Generally, skipping a meal will make you more likely to binge on the next meal. Studies have even found a link between obesity and skipping meals.
Weight loss is a long journey with many misconceptions attached to it. Myths of Weight Loss Are Plentiful. If you are trying to lose weight but not getting anywhere, then it may be because you’re buying into common weight loss myths.
