15 Common Myths About Weight Loss

Options
LONG POST: (FIRST 5 MYTHS) :frown: :grumble: :noway:

Myth #1: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.

Fact: Fad diets are not the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets often promise quick weight loss or tell you to cut certain foods out of your diet. You may lose weight at first on one of these diets. But diets that strictly limit calories or food choices are hard to follow. Most people quickly get tired of them and regain any lost weight.

Fad diets may be unhealthy because they may not provide all of the nutrients your body needs. Also, losing weight at a very rapid rate (more than 3 pounds a week after the first few weeks) may increase your risk for developing gallstones (clusters of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful). Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities, which can be fatal.

Myth #2: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.

Fact: The long-term health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are unknown. But getting most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese is not a balanced eating plan. You may be eating too much fat and cholesterol, which may raise heart disease risk. You may be eating too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber. Following a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet may also make you feel:


nauseous
tired
weak

Eating fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the buildup of ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease.


Low Carb Diets And Arthritis
Myth #3: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.

Fact: Many foods high in starch, are low in fat and calories such as:


bread
rice
pasta
cereals
beans
fruits
some vegetables (like potatoes and yams)

They become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch (also called complex carbohydrates) are an important source of energy for your body.

Myth #4: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight.

Fact: No foods can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time, but they do not cause weight loss.

Tip: The best way to lose weight is to cut back on the number of calories you eat and be more physically active.


Myth #5: Natural or herbal weight loss products are safe and effective.
Fact: A weight loss product that claims to be "natural" or "herbal" is not necessarily safe. These products are not usually scientifically tested to prove that they are safe or that they work. For example, herbal products containing ephedra have caused serious health problems and even death. Newer products that claim to be ephedra-free are not necessarily danger-free, because they may contain ingredients similar to ephedra.

:drinker:

Replies

  • Crystal_Cherry
    Options
    LONG POST: (FIRST 5 MYTHS) :frown: :grumble: :noway:

    Myth #1: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.

    Fact: Fad diets are not the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets often promise quick weight loss or tell you to cut certain foods out of your diet. You may lose weight at first on one of these diets. But diets that strictly limit calories or food choices are hard to follow. Most people quickly get tired of them and regain any lost weight.

    Fad diets may be unhealthy because they may not provide all of the nutrients your body needs. Also, losing weight at a very rapid rate (more than 3 pounds a week after the first few weeks) may increase your risk for developing gallstones (clusters of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful). Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities, which can be fatal.

    Myth #2: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.

    Fact: The long-term health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are unknown. But getting most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese is not a balanced eating plan. You may be eating too much fat and cholesterol, which may raise heart disease risk. You may be eating too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber. Following a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet may also make you feel:


    nauseous
    tired
    weak

    Eating fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the buildup of ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease.


    Low Carb Diets And Arthritis
    Myth #3: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.

    Fact: Many foods high in starch, are low in fat and calories such as:


    bread
    rice
    pasta
    cereals
    beans
    fruits
    some vegetables (like potatoes and yams)

    They become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch (also called complex carbohydrates) are an important source of energy for your body.

    Myth #4: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight.

    Fact: No foods can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time, but they do not cause weight loss.

    Tip: The best way to lose weight is to cut back on the number of calories you eat and be more physically active.


    Myth #5: Natural or herbal weight loss products are safe and effective.
    Fact: A weight loss product that claims to be "natural" or "herbal" is not necessarily safe. These products are not usually scientifically tested to prove that they are safe or that they work. For example, herbal products containing ephedra have caused serious health problems and even death. Newer products that claim to be ephedra-free are not necessarily danger-free, because they may contain ingredients similar to ephedra.

    :drinker:
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member
    Options
    Perfect timing on this one!! I was just thinking I needed to get back into the South Beach Diet......Maybe I just need to quit buying sweets :wink: and "All Natural" Cheetos that are sooooooooo good......

    :flowerforyou:
    Thank you for the wake up call....:blushing:
  • ladywalkalot
    ladywalkalot Posts: 230 Member
    Options
    61920.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

    Life is ALWAYS in progress
  • Crystal_Cherry
    Options
    shd i be posting the rest of them????

    :bigsmile: