Have you tried every piece of diet advice out there but still haven’t managed to shift those extra problem pounds? Find out the truth behind the myths as we let your know what is fact and what is fiction.
Cutting out fat is good for you
Myth!
A third of your calories should be coming from fats so cutting them out will only damage your health. The body needs fats for energy, tissue repair and vitamins A, D, E and K. Don’t get “fats” mixed up with junk food. Stick to unsaturated fats found in avocado and olive oil.
Crash dieting will help you lose weight
Myth!
In the short term you may see some weight loss, but ultimately this will hinder your long-term goals. Crash dieting removes fat but also lean muscle and tissue. This will cause a fall in your basic metabolic rate, so reduces the amount of calories your body needs, making it more likely that your body will put on weight after you stop crash dieting.
Eating late at night is fattening
Myth!
It is not when we eat it is how much we consume in a day that really makes a difference. Those who skip meals and then eat a lot at night are more likely to be overweight than those who eat regularly, but when it comes to weight gain, it does not matter how late you eat.
Cholesterol is bad for you
Myth!
This is both a myth and fact and, as with many things when it comes to the body, it is more complicated than a one word answer. Cholesterol is a fatty substance made mostly by the liver. It can be bad for us when it forms a deposit on our arteries, contributing to heart disease. However, we all need some blood cholesterol to build cells and make vital hormones. The high density lipoprotein known as “good” cholesterol is usually in unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
Giving up smoking will make you gain weight
Fact!
Many people do put on weight after giving up smoking, but this is down to the lifestyle change rather than the loss of cigarettes. While nicotine does increase the body’s metabolism, it’s effects will be so small that you will not really notice a sizeable difference. What is more likely to cause weight gain is when cigarettes are replaced by comfort food in your daily routine.
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