Common Food Myths
Myth: I shouldn't eat any fat.
Fat serves many important functions, such as storing energy, transporting certain vitamins and providing flavour and texture to the foods we eat. When it comes to weight loss, the fact is calories are the bottom line. Reduced-fat foods often have fewer calories compared to their full-fat versions. But be sure to always check the label, because some reduced-fat or fat-free foods have added sugar in them in order to maintain their flavour, which increases the calories. Moderate fat intake (20-35% of your total calories) is recommended for a healthy diet, and most of this should come from unsaturated sources.
Myth: Certain foods can help burn fat.
Unfortunately, there are no foods with magical fat-burning ingredients. Some foods with caffeine can temporarily speed up your metabolism, but probably not enough to lead to actual weight loss.
Myth: Cutting out carbs is the best way to lose weight.
A very low carbohydrate diet is not a healthy way to lose weight! It may stress your kidneys and result in headaches, dehydration and bad breath. It can also make you feel more tired than usual, weak, dizzy and nauseated. Although initial weight loss may be rapid, studies show that this loss mostly consists of water and, over time, the total weight lost is no greater than when following a more balanced diet. You may also experience difficulty in following such a restrictive diet long-term. Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, beans and other starches are not only rich in carbohydrates, they also provide valuable fibre, vitamins and minerals. Eliminating these foods may reduce nutrients that are important in helping to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and certain cancers. By following a balanced diet, you may both lose weight and reduce disease risk.
Myth: Eating after 8pm leads to weight gain.
Your body burns food the same way no matter what time it is. What matters is what you eat, how much you eat and how active you are. Excess calories will always be stored as fat. If you are snacking on high-calorie or high-fat foods while watching late-night television, you may gain weight because of your food choices, not because of the time of day. You may also find yourself overeating, as distractions like your favourite television programme may cause you to lose track of how much food you are putting into your mouth.
Myth: I can only lose weight if I eat fewer than 1000 calories per day.
Consuming too few calories can send your body into ‘starvation mode’. This is when your metabolism slows down, putting your body into a state of survival in which it conserves more of the calories you eat, making it more difficult for you to lose weight.
Extreme Diets: Almost as Risky as Extreme Sports
Your body needs a wide variety of nutrients and adequate calories to fuel basic functions. Unfortunately, many of today's ‘quick weight loss’ plans advocate a menu that relies very heavily on one nutrient, while virtually eliminating the rest.
High protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a perfect example.
Many high-protein diets emphasise foods from animal sources, rich in both protein and saturated fat, such as meats and eggs, while radically limiting high-carbohydrate foods, such as cereals, fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk products. OK, so you may well lose weight temporarily on a plan like this, but eating large amounts of these high-fat foods over time may increase the risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancers.
The bottom line is that extreme diets often result in rapid, temporary weight loss - but it's the result of a loss of body fluids - which is why Jenny Craig promotes an eating plan that incorporates a wide variety of foods. So, join Jenny Craig and learn to lose weight in a healthy way.
