In our pursuit of a quick fix to weight loss several diet myths have grown up which have no basis in fact in helping you lose weight Not only will the 3 common diet myths below not help you lose weight quickly, they can actually make you ill. So, here are three common diet myths to avoid. 1.Skip meals A very common diet myth which is extremely unhealthy and could actually see you gain weigh is skipping meals. Fact is, you should eat 5 meals a day. By eating frequently you achieve the following: Eating frequently prevents hunger pangs insulin spikes and curbs over eating. Eating frequently keeps your metabolism working all the time so you burn calories more efficiently. Food is also absorbed more efficiently and quickly when we eat this way. The only warning here is be sensible about the size of portions you consume. 2. Cut carbohydrates This is definitely not a good idea! Carbohydrates are the primary source of fuel for the body and many vital organs, including the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and heart rely on them. If the body is starved of carbohydrate, it breaks down muscle and other tissue to produce glucose. This causes a build-up of waste products called 'ketones'. Known as 'ketosis' this disease is common in people who are undernourished, suffering from anorexia nervosa or who have insulin-dependent diabetes. Ketones make the blood acidic, in severe cases Ketosis can be fatal, particularly for pregnant women, unborn babies, and for those who have diabetes. The heart may also not be able to function properly as ketone bodies are its main source of fuel Now lets look at another myth that cutting carbohydrates can help you lose weight. Carbohydrates and weight control Now lets look at another myth that cutting carbohydrates can help you lose weight. Weight gain is caused by consuming too many calories, whether they are from carbohydrate, protein or fat. A diet high in good carbohydrates such fruits and vegetables, will result in the greatest chance of weight loss if balanced with fat and protein in recommended amounts. A diet containing good carbohydrates will also assist in combating hunger pangs as they are slowly realized into our bodies and are loaded with nutrients. Whole grains, fruit and vegetables are great carbohydrate sources and also excellent sources of many other vitamins and minerals, as are many dairy products. When eating carbohydrates eat naturally" with no refining or processing, It is the processing that is bad, not carbohydrates themselves. 2.Fat is bad for you and can help you put on weight Neither of the above statements are true. Fats are part of the natural food chain of humans and we all need a certain amount of fats to healthy, lack of fat can also cause serious health issues. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet." We here it often but it is misunderstood. The total amount of fat in the diet, whether high or low, isn't directly linked to disease. Bad fats increase the risk of certain diseases and good fats lower the risk. So all you need to do is to make sure you eat the right fats. Oily fish as an example contains fat but is good for you, in that it contains essential fatty acids which can actually help your body burn fat more efficiently and protect against disease. Cholesterol the facts A lot of the anti fat diets link it to cholesterol build up but again this is another diet myth that is not true Dietary cholesterol is not bad on its own the key with cholesterol is the amount in the bloodstream. High blood cholesterol levels increase the risk for heart disease, but the average person makes about 75% of blood cholesterol in their liver; only 25% is absorbed from food eaten. The biggest influence on blood cholesterol level and the risk of illness is the mix of fats in the diet. Saturated and unsaturated fats Saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. They are found mostly in animal sources such as fatty meats, whole fat dairy products, lard etc unsaturated fats on the other hand lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. These fats are good and come primarily from vegetable oils. Examples of healthy fats would be: olive, Canola, and soy oils. While these fats include the essential fatty acids, they are high in calories and should not be eaten to excess. The best sources of unsaturated fats are those found in whole foods such as nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados. These foods are rich in unsaturated fats and also contribute vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The diet myth of fats is probably the most common diet myth but has no basis in fact and if it were so bad why is it part of the natural food chain? Finally Dont look for quick fix diets and dont believe the diet myths above you will not only not lose weight quickly, but you may also make yourself ill. |
