There’s no getting around it: when you’re trying to lose weight, you often find yourself on the receiving end of all kinds of advice, many of it contradictory.
So, what exactly is the best way to get rid of those kilos? Paula Galvao of Eden Life sorts the facts from the fiction.
The diet lie: Eating after sunset causes weight gain
The truth: Last time we checked, your food wasn’t wearing a watch. Your pasta doesn’t know if it’s eight at night or eight in the morning, and there’s no proof that eating later causes weight gain. That said, research shows that those who eat late at night tend to overeat, probably because serotonin levels are low. What’s more, snacking on certain types of food, like low-fat dairy, can give you a better night’s sleep.
The diet lie: The less fat you eat, the better
The truth: Cutting down on saturated fats, like butter and full cream dairy, will help in the weight war. But remember that fat is critical for the body’s proper functioning: it is necessary to produce hormones, rebuild cells and give you energy. A balanced diet needs to contain all three nutrients: protein, carbohydrates and, yes, fat. It is all about eating the right kinds of fat.
The diet lie: All calories are created equal
The truth: Consider this: one gram of fat gives you nine calories of energy, but one gram of protein or carbohydrate gives you only four calories. Not only that: while you store 97% of calories from fat, you store only 75% of calories from starch. Very few protein calories are stored because protein is a complex substance, and most energy is used up during digestion.
The diet lie: You can eat as much fat-free food as you like
The truth: Many fat-free products have been bolstered with sugar and starch to make them more palatable, so while they may be low fat, they’re still calorific. Check the label to see how many calories a product contains before you decide to supersize it.
The diet lie: Breakfast is the most important meal if you’re trying to lose weight
The truth: Actually, the jury is still out on this one: researchers can’t agree if skipping breakfast causes weight loss or gain. One thing that is certain, though, is that you should never force yourself to eat if you don’t feel like it. Listen to your body – it knows what it needs.
The diet lie: You’ll lose weight quickly by fasting
The truth: You won’t lose weight if you fast all day, then splurge on a calorie-rich meal at night. In fact, people who fast tend to lose muscle rather than fat.
The diet lie: You didn’t put on weight quickly, so don’t expect to lose it quickly
The truth: Research shows that people who need to lose more than 20kg tend to become demoralised and abandon their diet plans if progress is slow. They respond to diets that show more immediate results, but it’s important to bear in mind that fad diets should be avoided. A balanced eating plan needs to include all the nutrients your body requires for optimal functioning.
The diet lie: Coffee is bad for you
The truth: Actually, drinking between two and four cups of coffee a day can increase your metabolism by 3-6%. Drink up!
The diet lie: You’re overweight because you have no willpower
The truth: Your weight has nothing to do with your willpower. Rather, it’s governed by a variety of complex factors, ranging from genetics to medical conditions like hormone, leptin or insulin resistance. Hormones play a role, too, as can biochemical imbalances. Your best chance at weight loss comes from addressing these imbalances – once it’s been corrected, you’ll lose weight easily.
For more information visit www.edenlifeclinic.com.
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Author: Tanja Schmitz
Founder and Editor of Fitness Magazine. You’ll find her behind her computer or on her bike, dreaming up new ways to improve or create content for you.
