Dieting myths revealed
Does eating at night make you fat? Is caffeine bad for you? New diet myths can crop up at any time; fads come and go. Here are some diet myths revealed for you:
Myth: Caffeine is unhealthy.
Truth: There is some evidence that caffeine may have a positive effect on some diseases, including gout and Parkinson's disease, besides caffeine's famous wake-up call. Also, caffeine doesn't dehydrate people who consume it regularly.
Myth: The less fat you eat, the better.
Truth: People with heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome may benefit from adding a little healthy fat -- the monounsaturated kind -- and cutting back on carbohydrates. But they shouldn't increase their overall fat intake -- just swap saturated fat for monounsaturated fat.
Myth: Use sea salt in place of table salt.
Truth: Sea salt or other gourmet salts aren't healthier than table salt. Sea salt contains slightly less sodium per teaspoon than table salt only because sea salt is coarser, so fewer grains fit into the teaspoon.
Myth: Drinking more water daily will help you lose weight.
Truth: There's no evidence that water peels off pounds. Foods containing water -- such as soup -- can fill you up, but just drinking water alone doesn't have the same impact. Our thirst mechanism and our hunger mechanism are two different things.
Myth: Whole grains are always healthier than refined grains.
Truth: Whole grains are a healthy choice, but you needn't ditch refined grains. Refined grains generally are going to have more folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron. The whole grains usually have more fiber, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, potassium. You can have some of each.
Myth: Eating at night makes you fat.
Truth: Calories count, whenever you eat them. There's no proof for this myth.
Weight loss myths revealed
There is usually some cheating and lying involved even though you follow your diet or fitness routine. Unfortunately, myths about how you can lose weight can sabotage even the healthiest relationship between you and your treadmill. Here is a list of lies so you can battle the bulge armed with the truth:
Myth: If you eat and exercise consistently, you will never gain weight.
Truth: The fact is your metabolism slows down as you age. As a result, you often have to either eat less or exercise more to avoid gaining weight. You need to be willing to make lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments as you age, change, and grow. The biggest change usually occurring around the age of 40. Your metabolism will continue to slow down more gradually over the years, so always keep your food and exercise plan flexible.
Myth: Carbs are all bad
Truth: It's a myth that all carbohydrates are bad. The body uses carbs as fuel during exercise to burn body fat, a great reason to keep the bread basket on the menu.
Myth: Certain foods make you burn calories
Truth: A calorie is a calorie, regardless of where it comes from. There are no foods that increase your metabolic rate, or help you burn calories. You may eat foods with a high water and fiber content because they stay in your system longer, a plus for taking off the pounds.
Myth: Snacking is always a bad idea
Truth: The idea that you shouldn't eat between meals is a myth. You don't need to starve to lose weight. Having snacks in between meals might actually help you eat less, and stave off the urge to overeat or binge later. In fact, dietitians often recommend that you have five smaller meals a day, instead of eating your calories all in one sitting.
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