Mainstream media has been pushing different diet trends and fads down our throats for years. With so much information being presented to us at once, it is hard to decipher what nutritional advice is fact and what is a myth. Today we are going to be debunking many food myths so you can have the proper information on how to lead a healthy lifestyle and lose weight. Here are four nutrition “facts” that you thought were true but are not!
Nutrition “Facts” That You Thought Were True
1. You have to Completely Restrict Yourself in Order to Lose Weight
Forcing yourself to eliminate your favorite foods from your diet will only make your weight loss journey more difficult. Jillian Kubala, a Registered Dietitian who writes for healthline.com, dissected a few studies that discussed the relationship between restrictive eating and weight loss. It was concluded that individuals with more restrictive diets tend to gain weight over a longer period of time. This is because the body has the ability to alter its physiological responses through the use of hormones, which makes it difficult to lose weight overtime. Restrictive eating also makes it harder for you to mentally commit to a diet. Instead of cutting out all of your unhealthy desires make sure to consume these treats in moderation.
Want to learn more about how to properly treat yourself while losing weight? Click here to learn the importance of eating your favorite foods, but just a taste.
2. Eating Past 7pm Will Make you Gain Weight
In recent years intermittent fasting has become a popular way to lose weight. This type of diet promotes restrictive eating by only allowing you to consume food 8 hours throughout the day. This fad claims that you gain weight when you eat at night, but this “fact” is false! What truly matters is what you eat, not the time of day you consume food. For example, eating fruits and vegetables at 8 pm is much better for your health than consuming a take-out at 6:30 pm. Do not let this myth trick you! Eat when you are hungry and consume foods that make you feel more confident about yourself.
3. Carbs Will Make you Gain Weight
Many diet fads, such as Adkins, claim that carbohydrates are the enemy. Though this macronutrient receives a bad reputation it is actually important for your body to function properly. Carbohydrate based foods such as whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and beans help fuel your brain, heart, and nervous system.
Do you want to further your knowledge on how carbohydrates affects the body? Click here to answer the question “Are carbs actually bad for you?”
4. Your Diet Needs to be Majority Protein
According to some health professionals, increasing your protein intake is the only way to properly lose weight. This “fact” is completely false and could not be further from the truth! Though protein is important for the body, it does not need to be the largest part of your diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines of America, only 10-35% of your diet should be proteins while 45-65% should be carbohydrates and 20-35% should be fats. Protein does not directly cause sustainable weight loss like these diet trends are leading you to believe. A mixture of a healthy diet, proper sleep schedule, and physical activity is the only true way to lose weight safely and effectively.
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Sweet Life Wellness Podcast Series
Be sure to check out our Sweet Life Wellness Podcast Series! In this podcast, we will discuss how to break out of your old habits and form new healthy habits while still being able to enjoy cookies from time to time. Could you imagine a life not controlled by food or other cravings? It would be much easier to enjoy the moment you are in. Let’s make a fresh start together this week!
- Click here to watch the Latest Sweet Life Wellness Podcast Episode on How to Tame Your Cravings: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=eDJ6ztEV7o4&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=6526e0481e-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4f533b0b3d-6526e0481e-
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Source:
To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
This blog post was written by Bailee Richman, Dietetics Student from the University of Maryland
