Aren’t you sick of all the rules and restrictions around food? It looks like the health experts are, too. In this article from Lauren Hyland for EatLiveGlow, the pros reveal which food myths are actually hogwash. Hold on to your skim milk!
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Some diets work, others don’t. It usually depends on you, your lifestyle, and how long you stick at it. In our opinion, the only diet is no diet – nothing can beat a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
But in the nutrition world, we’re always being told to swear off certain foods, avoid eating at certain times and be very strict with ourselves overall. So if you’re trying to lose a little weight, here are some of the myths you should avoid…
Myth 1: You should never eat fat.
“Healthy fats help your body break down and absorb nutrients like vitamins A and E and beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables,” says founder of New England Nutrition Associates, Christine Mastrangelo.
Providing you opt for healthy fats, such as poly- and mono-unsaturated fats and omega-3s, you’re actually doing your body some good. Just make sure to avoid saturated and trans-fats as much as possible.
Myth 2: Don’t eat after dinner.
Your body doesn’t stop getting hungry after a certain time. What’s more, “You can slow your metabolism if you don’t give your body fuel when it needs it,” reveals Mastrangelo.
Opt for a healthy snack, like popcorn, as soon as you begin feeling slightly hungry, rather than reaching for crisps or ice-cream when you have a late-night craving.
Myth 3: 100 calorie snacks only.
Packets of nibbles, crisps or cookies that say they’re under 100 calories are not the answer; they still contain sweeteners and unhealthy fats, despite not being calorific. “You’ll still feel hungry and unsatisfied after eating one of these bags, because it lacks important hunger fighters, like protein and fibre,” says author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy, J.J. Virgin.
Snacks that may contain over 100 calories will be more satisfying and much healthier. Opt for wheat crackers with peanut butter or a handful of almonds for your energy boost.
Myth 4: Bread is not your friend.
Low-carb diets will always make you swear off bread. But if you ensure you’re eating whole grain bread, it can actually help you lose weight.
“It’s the easily digested refined carbs – the ones in white bread, crackers, and pastries — that lead to weight gain,” says weight-loss expert Kara Mohr, “They don’t fill you up, so you get hungry quickly and end up consuming more calories.”
Myth 5: Never give in to cravings.
“Psychologically, we’re tempted by what we can’t have, which is why deprivation makes us desire ‘forbidden’ foods more than usual,” explains Mohr. This means it’s more likely that when you do give in, you’ll consume more calories that you ought to.
Although, she does add that it’s better to not stock food that you may crave, so you’ll have to make the extra effort to go to the shop.
Myth 6: Fast food is the devil.
Everything in moderation – even fast-food. Just as we mentioned with cravings, you’ll ultimately really, really want some fast-food at some point. Although they’ll never be healthier than your home cooking, there are some healthy options at fast-food joints.
Mohr offers some advice: “Skip the cheese, mayo, and creamy sauces; ask for grilled, not fried, dishes; and order the smallest size available – a single hamburger, not a double, and nothing supersized.”
This article was originally published on Eat Live Glow.
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