Common Dieting Myths

When it comes to diets, the number of myths and misconceptions is staggering. This article will clear up some common dieting myths, then explain exactly what you need to know about weight loss. If you are serious about weight loss, you need to learn what you’re up against.

Debunking the dieting Myths

Dieting myths are created by people who have never been successful with their own dieting efforts. These myths are then repeated by people who are unsuccessful with their own dieting efforts. Some even go on to follow chronic dieting in the hope that they would be able to achieve their desired body image. However, it might just be that they have become a victim of anorexia, in which case an eating disorder therapy seems to be the only probable solution.

That said, let’s check out the common dieting myths before you dive into the dieting scheme:

1. Dieting works.

It’s no secret that diets are a popular method of losing weight, with more than 70% of American adults trying to lose weight at some point. But, while dieting is often portrayed in the media as a quick fix, several issues are surrounding this method that people need to be aware of.

We have all heard that eating fewer calories will lead to weight loss, but this is not true in all cases. Most of the time, dieting leads to weight gain. If that sounds familiar, it is because many diet plans are based on false assumptions. Some people lose more weight than others, but the weight they lose is not water weight but fat. The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) – the largest database of its kind – shows that most people who lose weight keep it off for life. Weight-loss surgery is also an effective way to reduce weight and improve health significantly.

2. Low-fat diets work.

The low-fat diet is the most popular dieting approach used by consumers around the world. So it’s no wonder that most people think it is the best way to lose weight. But, is it? Dieters who follow a low-fat diet are often told to cut out all fat, saturated fat, and trans fat while reducing the intake of all carbohydrates. Well, the experts at the American Heart Association recommend eating the “Zone” or the American Heart Association Ideal Weight Pyramid:

a) Eat lean meat, poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, beans, and non-starchy vegetables

b) Eat small portions of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat

c) Limit the amount of added sugars, added fats, and salt you consume.

3. All calories are the same, no matter what.

That is false. The body uses calories in varying proportions, depending on your body composition and your activity level. It’s a common misconception that all calories are created equal and that you can pick and choose your type of food to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Not so! Some foods are high in calories, while others are packed with nutrition, yet others are fattening. The key is to find out which foods work for you so that you can lose weight by eating the right foods, not counting calories.

4. One type or kind of diet is all you need.

The idea that there is a single diet that will help you lose weight has been around for decades. But it hasn’t been the magic bullet some people think. It’s a fact that the only diet that “works” is sustainable for life. The idea that you only need to cut calories and exercise more is untrue. You can eat whatever you want, but you need to make sure you are maintaining a healthy balance of the right types of food and also making sure you are getting the right amount of exercise.

5. Carbs are the devil.

False. The body needs all macronutrients, not just carbs, to function properly. Carbohydrates are classified as complex or simple. Simple sugars are carbohydrates that are broken down into simple sugars by your body. This is why your stomach may feel sick and feel bloated if you eat simple sugars when in reality, they are not that bad for you.

But the majority of carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates. These are not broken down at all by your body. These are supposed to be used in your body and are only broken down by your body when you eat too much.

The old saying, “you are what you eat,” is both simple and profound. The fact is, the foods we eat have a profound effect on our health and moods. If we eat the right foods, we feel happier, have more energy, sleep better, and generally feel better. But, if we eat the wrong foods, we become depressed, tired, and unmotivated. The truth is, there is no one diet that fits all. One works for some but may not work for others since bodies respond differently when it comes to foods, based on health factors and genetics.