6 Dieting Myths Debunked
With an ever increase in the number of people seeking to lose weight and maintain healthy lifestyles, several myths relating to dieting have been developed in the past. Some of these cut across the type of foods that one has to eat in order to maintain health to the type of exercise that works best for different types of people. The unfortunate thing is that not all myths relating to diet are true. Most are based on unfounded allegations and lies at best. The following are the kinds of myths relating to dieting. Understanding them will help ensure that you do not end up being caught up in the hype.
Myth # 1: You need to eat diet foods in order to lose weight
Most people mistakenly believe that diet food have the effect of helping people lose weight. For this reason, they stuff themselves with diet foods in the hope of shedding unwanted fats in their body. Though packaged foods have been proven to contain trans fats and sugars, nutritionists recommend people to be more aware of the quality of fats contained in foods and not necessarily the amount. Actually, foods like avocados and nuts have been proven to contain monounsaturated fats that are good for the body. Other like soybean and corn have been shown to contain polyunsaturated fats that are good for the heart.
Myth # 2: Foods that are rich in protein make you fat
Most people believe that foods that are rich in proteins will make them fat. They extensively cut down on the amount of dairy products that they take. Research has shown that a diet that is rich in protein has the opposite effect: it can lead to an increase in the reduction of fat and help in weight loss. This is because such foods contain a substance known as calcitriol that helps in the conversion of less sugar in the body. Foods rich in protein also ensure leaner cells in the body. However, this does not mean you go on a dairy binge. Stick to the recommended intake in order to remain healthy.
Myth #3: Eradicating carbohydrate from the body will make you lose weight
One myth currently doing rounds in the health industry is that completely avoiding carbohydrates in meals will help you lose weight. The myth has been made worse by the mistaken belief that carbs lead to an increase in production of insulin in the body. This in turn leads to an increase in weight. With this kind of information, most people end up cutting down the amount of carbohydrate intake from their meals. Unfortunately, with a decrease in the amount of carbs in the body, the body burns the available carbs releasing water in return. Consequently, high water retention leads to increase in weight.
Myth # 4: Nuts will make you fat
It is true that nuts are rich in calories and fats. Research has shown that cashews deliver about 180 kilocalories making them some of the most feared foods in terms of making one add weight. Contrary to what most people believe, these foods contain various fats such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that actually help lower the amount of cholesterol ion the body. In addition, research conducted showed that the foods are low in saturated fats and can thus help lower the risk of heart diseases. The foods can be eaten as replacements of foods that are rich in saturated fats.
Myth # 5: Eating less food will make you lose weight
Most people thinking that failing to eat will lead to loss weight. They skip meals in order to ensure that they remain lean and probably even look like the models that they see on TV commercials. However, this remains one of the most misunderstood myths in the health industry. Actually, the truth is that anytime we skip meals, the body has a natural protective mechanism that will make it think that it is facing starvation. In order to prevent further starvation, it will reduce the metabolism rate thus reduce on the amount of fat being burned. This will lead to addition of weight.
Myth # 6: Sugar is the main cause of diabetes
Probably on of the most detrimental myths spread mostly by medical practitioners, sugar does not necessarily cause diabetes. Research has actually shown that diabetes such as Type 2 diabetes is caused by a high or uncontrolled intake of calories, inactive lifestyles and overweight or obesity. Completely eradicating carbohydrates form our bodies is unhealthy as carbs help in the formation of energy that is needed by our bodies. Carbs are also useful as they help in the maintenance of the right levels of fat in the body especially after they have been converted into the right form of fats in the body.
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