Top 10 Diet Myths You Should Know About
Posted 01-20-2010 10:17 pm
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Are you trying to drop a few pounds? Before you give up late night snacking and go on a no-fat frenzy to kick your slow metabolism into shape, take a look at what the experts have to say about some well known dieting myths.
 Myth #1 - Low-fat or no-fat diets are good for you.
Your body needs fat for energy, tissue repair and to transport vitamins A, D, E and K around the body. A leading dietician says: “People tend to think they need a low-fat diet to lose weight, but you should still have a third of your calories coming from fat.” There is no need to follow a fat-free diet. Although it will help to cut down on saturated fats, and eating unsaturated fats, which are found in things like avocados and olive oil will help.
Myth #2 - Crash dieting or fasting makes you lose weight.
This might be true in the short term, but it can also hinder weight loss. Losing weight over the long term burns off fat. Crash dieting not only removes fat but it also removes lean muscle and tissue which are really important for your body. The loss of lean muscle causes a fall in your metabolic rate. This means your body will need fewer calories than it did previously, making weight gain more likely once you have stopped fasting. Exercise is recommended in any weight-loss plan to build muscle and maintain your metabolism. Crash dieting can also make you feel weak and dizzy so it is a much better idea to try long-term weight loss. Myth #3 - Late night eating is more fattening.
A lot of diets tell you not to eat after a certain time at night. They say the body will store more fat because it is not burned off with any activity. This is not true. It is not when you eat that's important, but the total amount you consume in a 24-hour period. Myth #4 - A slow metabolism prevents weight loss.
Studies show that resting metabolism – the number of calories used by the body at rest – increases as people become fatter. Weight gain occurs when the number of calories eaten is greater than the number used up by the body. People are becoming increasingly sedentary, burning off less calories, and it seems like this is a crucial factor in the increasing numbers struggling to control their weight. Myth #5 - Fattening foods increase rapid weight gain.
You can believe it or not, but true weight gain is a slow process. You need to eat an extra 3500 calories to gain one pound of body fat. For long-term weight control, balance high-fat foods with healthy food and activity. Myth #6 - Low-fat milk has less calcium than full-fat milk.
Skim milk has more calcium, because the calcium is in the watery part, not the creamy part. Semi-skimmed is best for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Full-fat is best for children and adults who are underweight. Myth #7 - Low-fat foods help you lose weight.
Always check the calorie content of foods, especially cakes, biscuits, ice creams and ready meals. Extra sugars and thickeners are often added to boost flavor and texture. Watching the quantity is important. Things like fruit pastilles may be low in fat, but are high in sugar which turns to fat. With low fat foods, look to see where else the calories might come from. Myth #8 - Cholesterol is bad for you.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is made mostly by the liver. It can be bad for us, because it forms deposits that line and clog our arteries. We all need some blood cholesterol because it's used to build cells and make vital hormones. There is good and bad cholesterol. So choose unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Myth #9 - Vegetarians can't build muscle.
This is not true. Vegetarians can be just as muscular as meat eaters by getting their protein from vegetable sources such as cheese, nuts and grains. You need protein to build muscle, but too much can lead to long-term side effects. The body can only store a certain amount of protein, so too much can damage your kidney. Myth #10 - You always gain weight when you quit smoking.
Some people gain weight when they stop smoking, some lose weight, and some stay the same. Nicotine does increase the body's metabolism, but its effect is small. People tend to fall down when they replace a cigarette with comfort food. Chewing sugar-free gum or snacking on veggies is a great idea when you are in the process of quitting cigarettes. Ask an Online Doctor-It's FREE at www.KoolDocs.com Your #1 Source for Online Medical Consultations and Online Prescriptions.
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