Dieting is no easy feat.
When you’re trying to lose weight, you may struggle with adhering to a healthy diet, or be confused as to which foods are best for weight loss. Additionally, with all the diet fads that come and go, it can be difficult to sort out the “good” diets from the “bad.” In fact, some of your dieting knowledge may be skewed based on what you may have read or heard in media and on the Internet, and could be causing you to gain weight instead of lose it.
Here are six common diet myths that may be hindering your ability to lose weight and become healthier.
Myth #1: Eating small snacks throughout the day will increase your metabolism
Snacking throughout the day may only increase your metabolism if you’re eating healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Those who snack on chips and desserts will not benefit from a higher metabolism. If you feel the urge to snack throughout the day or eat smaller portions as a result of undergoing weight-loss surgery, then stick to healthy snacks such as celery, carrot sticks, apples, and nuts.
Myth #2: Foods labeled as low-fat and fat-free are the healthiest food options
Studies have shown that many foods labeled as low-fat and fat-free actually contain preservatives and additives that could have adverse effects on your health, including weight gain, and sometimes have more calories than their counterparts. When buying processed and packaged foods, read nutrition and ingredient labels more closely to verify that you’re making the right diet choices.
Myth #3: A large breakfast will cause you to eat less throughout the day
Many individuals have formed the impression that eating an unusually large breakfast will help them avoid eating large portions throughout the rest of the day. However, German researchers have found that the portion size of your breakfast does not impact your appetite, and can cause individuals to eat as much as 400 more calories than needed on a daily basis.
Myth #4: Late-night eating will trigger weight gain
Many individuals believe that consuming any type of food late at night will convert to fat. In truth, late-night eating will only result in excess weight gain if you consume sweets and junk foods such as potato chips, ice cream, and other goodies. However, eating foods that are rich in protein such as fruits, nuts, and yogurt can actually help satisfy your hunger pangs and will burn away as you sleep.
Myth #5: Sports drinks are a healthy alternative to soda products
Some sports drinks may contain electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals that can help aid in recovery during exercise and sports training, but many individuals fail to realize that many of these same drinks also contain sugar. Sports drinks aren’t necessarily healthier for you than soda products, and should be consumed in moderation. When exercising, trying to lose weight, or aiming to stay healthy in general, water is the healthiest choice.
