Weight loss myths

2 October 2017

There is so much information out there about crash dieting, healthy meal plans, “good” and “bad” foodstuffs and how often we should be exercising that it’s now harder than ever to stick to a solution that works. That’s why we’ve busted some of the most common weight loss myths.

Crash dieting works

While it’s true that crash dieting will help you lose weight in the short-term, it should never be used as a long-term solution to your weight. The fact is that a period of crash dieting can actually cause you to gain weight in the future. This is because this type of dieting is hard to maintain. Limiting your calorie intake in such a way means that your body will not be receiving the required nutrients causing your body to be low on energy and thus crave high-fat and high-sugar foods. Juicing holidays are a good way to detox your body for a short time before you begin a weight loss program.

Breakfast is necessary to lose weight

Yes, studies do show that those who eat breakfast tend to be heavier than those who don’t, but this does not mean that eating it is necessary to lose weight. It just means that generally, those who take time to eat breakfast tend to have healthier eating habits than those who don’t. It is also a myth that eating breakfast will boost your metabolism. You should eat breakfast if you’re hungry and not expect it to affect how much you weigh.

Carbohydrates make you gain weight

This is probably one of the biggest weight loss myths out there, and although low-carb diets to help you to lose weight, this does not necessarily mean that carbs cause weight gain. Refined carbs (things like grains and sugar) are linked to weight gain, but whole foods that are high in carbs are a healthier option. The trick is to keep carbs low and keep protein intake high.

“Diet” or “Low-Fat” options are a healthy choice

This is not always true which is why you should always check the labels on your food. All food that is labelled as “diet” or “low-fat” need to have a specific amount of fat in them and while this should be less than its full-fat counterpart it does not mean that it is a healthy choice. For example, some foods that are low in fat may have high amounts of sugar.

You must stick to a rigorous exercise regime

Being successful in your weight loss journey will require you to make small changes that you feel that you can stick to for a long time. This does mean that you should start being more physically active on a daily basis, but this does not mean that you need to undertake a radical exercise regime. 150 minutes of exercise per week is the current recommendation, but those who are overweight should aim for more.

Drinking water helps you lose weight

Water does not directly help you to lose weight, but it is an important part of the process. It keeps you hydrated and helps you to snack less by making you feel full. Sometimes when you feel hungry, you’re actually just dehydrated.

You have to get used to feeling hungry

If you feel hungry all day, then the fact is that you’re not making the correct food choices. Make sure your meals are low in refined carbs and high in protein as to not cause blood-sugar spikes that will make you feel tired and hungry. Opt for filling foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and pulses and you’ll tend to feel fuller for longer.