Dieting and weight-loss are always hot
topics for discussion, especially with all the fad diets and "magic"
pills or food plans that are said to help people get, and stay, slim.
People are constantly hearing about tried and tested ways to shed pounds
easily, while avoiding the pain and inconvenience of proper dieting and
exercise. However, are any of these diet and weight-loss tips true, and
do any of these special plans or systems actually work? See for
yourself in this list of the 7 worst weight-loss myths that can
negatively affect your health:
1. Fad Diets Work
Fad diets are weight-loss plans that promise easy and effective
results. They do not conform to conventional dieting and are meant as an
alternative to eating healthy
and exercising regularly. Many people see or hear about these diets
from friends or in the media, and they are quick to jump on the
bandwagon, expecting the same results. However, according to the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), these diets are not the best way to lose weight, nor do they
keep the pounds off. Most of these diets are hard to follow, and people
eventually go back to their old eating habits, which cause them to
regain any lost pounds.
2. Eat More Protein and Cut Carbs for Weight-Loss
High protein, low-carb diets have been popularized by celebrities and
bodybuilders as a quick method for weight-loss. However, this type of
diet is not a balanced one, and lacks the nutritional benefits one would
obtain from whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eating only protein
packed foods, which are primarily different types of meat can lead to
increased cholesterol and can put you at risk for heart disease. The
limited fiber can also lead to constipation.
3. Crash Dieting is a Healthy Way to Lose Weight
Crash dieting
is similar to most fad diets, only more extreme with a focus on calorie
deprivation. These are diets that have been proven effective for rapid
weight-loss, yet many people are unaware of the myriad of health issues
they may face for having such a low calorie intake per day. Crash diets
like liquid dieting, or the Lemonade Diet that provide less than 800
calories per day can result in heart rhythm abnormalities that can be
fatal, according to the NIDDK.
4. You Can Make Up for What You Eat Through More Exercise
Many people think of professional athletes and world-class
bodybuilders, and how much food these types of people eat regularly.
This leads them to believe they can eat anything they want, and as much
as they want, just as long as they burn off the excess calories.
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for the average person to burn
off what they consume unless they are eating healthy and adhering to a
proper diet. You can't just simply eat what you want and expect to burn
everything off unless you are constantly active through rigorous
training and exercise. While it is true that many athletes eat more than
2,000 calories per day, some of which comes from foods that are
considered fatty or unhealthy, most of their routine schedule is
comprised of constantly burning calories, not sitting in a cubicle all day.
5. The Skinnier You Are, the Healthier You Are
This weight-loss myth can be tied to a high protein, low carb diet.
While a mirror or the weighing scale might suggest a person is healthy
because of how skinny they are, this isn't always the case. It is still
very possible to be within your suggested weight, and be at high risk for heart disease, stroke or diabetes
if you aren't careful with what you eat. This is why a properly
balanced diet is important for maintaining a healthy weight instead of
fad or crash diets.
6. You Don't Have to Exercise to Lose Weight, Just Eat Healthier
While you can surely shed a few pounds by changing your diet and
eating healthier, you will have a difficult time maintaining your
desired weight without any form of exercise. Even if your only form of
exercise is a quick, 20-minute jog before
or after work, a littler exercise is better than no exercise. Being
active will also help improve blood pressure and can help you achieve
better sleep.
7. Don't Count Calories, Just Eat Healthier Foods for Weight-Loss
You can create an entire diet plan in accordance to the USDA's Healthy Plate
and still gain weight if you aren't keeping track of how many calories
you are eating, and how many you are burning. Whether it's considered
healthy or not, all foods contain calories and all calories should be
closely monitored. Many nutritionist and health aficionados suggest
keeping a log of how many calories you are eating, along with a journal
of how much you are exercising for a proper weight-loss regimen.
