Diet myths – busted!

There have been plenty of fad diets over the years; remember the Cabbage soup diet?

It promised a weight loss of 4.5 kg (10-pound) weight loss in 1 week, if you ate nothing but two daily bowls of cabbage soup and a very limited selection of other specific permitted foods.

Or how about eating nothing but celery or oranges?

The problem with all these and their variants, all known as limited food diets, is that while they may drastically cut calories people following them are likely to get bored, mostly lose fluid and some water, but not much else.

Then there are the side effects, in the case of cabbage soup, to abdominal discomfort, flatulence, tiredness and lack of energy, and after seven days there is a high risk of malnutrition! And you aren’t likely to be getting adequate doses of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

The “Cut out the treats” myth

Everyone is different so while carrot sticks and a healthy dip might be a treat for me, yours might be chocolate or biscuits.  What most of us have in common is a boredom threshold. Sooner or later you’ll crack and give in to temptation, and eventually abandon the dieting regime. The occasional treat won’t hurt.  Remember the saying “a little of what you fancy……?”

The “certain foods help you burn fat” myth

No foods can help you burn fat, it’s cutting down on calories that does that.

Cutting back on carbohydrates helps you lose weight

It’s not that simple! Carbohydrates can be simple, such as cookies and candy, and these contain no vitamins, minerals, and fibre.  On the other hand, complex carbohydrates such as whole-wheat bread, beans, and fruit contain many nutrients that are good for you.

You should always buy foods labelled “no-fat” or “low fat”

Sorry to disappoint you, but in many of these the fat may be reduced, but sugar, starch, or salt is often added to compensate so you should always check the nutrition labels for the calorie count per serving.

Skipping breakfast makes you gain weight

This is not true in itself but skipping breakfast may make you more prone to eating unhealthy snacks later. There are plenty of people who are not hungry in the morning first thing, so wait until you are ready to eat and choose a healthy option.

Eating late at night will make you fat

Not in itself, unless your late-night snack is a high calorie treat. It’s fine if you stick to healthy snacks such as low-fat yogurt or baby carrots.

Ultimately if your goals is to lose weight and increase your fitness, you need to do what’s right for you and your diet and fitness adviser. Setting high goals may work for some, slow and steady may work for others.  We’re all different, and so is what works for us.

There are plenty more such myths, why not send me your favourites?

Andy Health & Fitness Coach