More Diet Rumors

Healthier_Me

Rumor: Carbs make you fat.


The Real Deal: Oh, stop the carb-bashing already, people! Eating carbs doesn't make you gain weight, eating excessive calories does. However, carbs can often be high in calories due to lots of sugars and fats. Processed carb-heavy foods like regular pasta, junk food, and white bread tend to have the highest calories. Keep those to a limit. Fruits and veggies have carbs (natural sugars) yet are low in calories. High-fiber foods with complex carbs, like whole grains, potatoes and beans, are a good source of energy your body needs. Just pay attention to the calories in the carb-y food you chew on, and you should be fine!

Rumor: Guzzling gallons of water = instant weight loss.


The Real Deal: Uhhh...not quite. If your water intake is replacing high-calorie drinks like juice and soda, then you'll likely see results. But that's because you'd be cutting back on your calorie intake. Water alone won't flush fat from your system or wash away excess weight. It can, however, eliminate hunger pangs and make you feel fuller. And eating less does equal weight loss. Also, keeping your body hydrated keeps your energy up. So take that energy and use it to fuel a workout! But too much water (as in gallons and gallons) will just you leave you bloated and uncomfortable.

Rumor: Going vegetarian is the secret to losing weight.

The Real Deal: Oh, please! A vegetarian diet has pros and cons when it comes to weight loss. Some vegetarian products (like imitation bacon and burger patties) are lower in fat and calories than their meaty counterparts. Making these swaps can be good for weight loss. However, eliminating meat from your diet alone won't cause your weight to drop. High-calorie fattening foods like pizza, pasta dishes, cakes and candy aren't off-limits on a vegetarian diet. And often, limiting your options can make it harder to find diet-friendly choices when eating out. Whether you go veggie or not, it's important to eat plenty of filling protein and avoid eating too many high-calorie, fat-heavy foods.

Rumor: Cut out dairy -- it's all fattening and high in calories.

The Real Deal: Nope! While full-fat dairy can be a bad idea for scale-watchers (limit your intake of this stuff), low-calorie, low-fat and even fat-free options can be a dieter's best friend! Look for light versions of cottage cheese, yogurt (frozen and regular!), cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, milk and more. Curious about which light cheeses are chew-worthy? Check out our cheese reviews coming up tomorrow!

Rumor - When dining out, it's always best to stick with a salad.

Reality - Restaurant salads can sometimes be the worst items on the menu! If you don't believe us, check out these salad shockers! http://www.hungry-girl.com/week/weeklydetails.php?isid=911

Just because your plate starts off with leafy greens doesn't mean it's a good choice. Globs of oily or creamy dressing can cause calorie counts to skyrocket. And mounds of fatty salad toppers like cheese, nuts, and fried noodles are BAD news! Rather than sticking strictly with salads, scope out the entire menu for something that has lots of veggies and lean protein. Avoid dishes that are extra-saucy or fried. And if you DO get a salad, skip the fatty toppings, and ask for the dressing on the side -- then dip, don't pour (you'll likely use far less that way)!

Rumor - If you want to lose weight, you need to avoid the stuff you crave (chocolate, chips, etc.) at ALL costs!

Reality - Depriving yourself can actually lead you to abandon your diet altogether!

Although it is a good idea to limit trigger foods (stuff you KNOW you'll go overboard on), you can (and should) find guilt-free alternatives to your favorite snack foods for when the urge hits you hard. If you need a little chocolate now and then, try some of our guilt-free chocolate craving busters- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5673-top-ate-guilt-free-chocolate-craving-busters -
If you can't live without fried food, give faux-frying a try -- HG's got recipes for everything from onion rings (153 calories, 1g fat and a POINTS® value of 2* per serving) -http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5674-hg-s-lord-of-the-onion-rings- t o eggplant parm (170 calories, 2.5g fat and a POINTS® value of 3* per serving) http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5675-hg-s-no-harm-eggplant-parm. It's much better to go with a balanced approach to eating that you can stick to than to swear off your favorite foods forever!

Rumor - The more calories you cut from your daily diet, the more pounds you'll drop.

Reality - Take in too few calories, and your body will go into starvation mode and cling to your extra lbs. for dear life.

While nixing excess calories is key to weight loss, your body NEEDS a certain amount of calories each day. The exact amount varies depending on a whole slew of factors (from your age and weight to your activity level), but experts recommend that no one drop below 1,200 calories per day. Think of food and calories as fuel -- your body can't burn fat if it's running on empty. Taking in too few calories can cause your metabolism to slow down, and a sluggish metabolism makes it harder to lose weight.

Rumor - Eating certain types of soup can promote weight loss.

Reality - It's TRUE! Okay, this doesn't mean you can spend hours each day slurping up creamy chowders and bisques and lose weight.

But studies have shown that when people start a meal with broth-based soup, they take in a whopping 20% FEWER calories overall at that meal! How cool is that!?! Go for soups that are low in calories & fat and high in fiber -- those'll fill you up without weighing you down.

Healthier_Me

Rumor: Carbs make you fat.


The Real Deal: Oh, stop the carb-bashing already, people! Eating carbs doesn't make you gain weight, eating excessive calories does. However, carbs can often be high in calories due to lots of sugars and fats. Processed carb-heavy foods like regular pasta, junk food, and white bread tend to have the highest calories. Keep those to a limit. Fruits and veggies have carbs (natural sugars) yet are low in calories. High-fiber foods with complex carbs, like whole grains, potatoes and beans, are a good source of energy your body needs. Just pay attention to the calories in the carb-y food you chew on, and you should be fine!

Rumor: Guzzling gallons of water = instant weight loss.


The Real Deal: Uhhh...not quite. If your water intake is replacing high-calorie drinks like juice and soda, then you'll likely see results. But that's because you'd be cutting back on your calorie intake. Water alone won't flush fat from your system or wash away excess weight. It can, however, eliminate hunger pangs and make you feel fuller. And eating less does equal weight loss. Also, keeping your body hydrated keeps your energy up. So take that energy and use it to fuel a workout! But too much water (as in gallons and gallons) will just you leave you bloated and uncomfortable.

Rumor: Going vegetarian is the secret to losing weight.

The Real Deal: Oh, please! A vegetarian diet has pros and cons when it comes to weight loss. Some vegetarian products (like imitation bacon and burger patties) are lower in fat and calories than their meaty counterparts. Making these swaps can be good for weight loss. However, eliminating meat from your diet alone won't cause your weight to drop. High-calorie fattening foods like pizza, pasta dishes, cakes and candy aren't off-limits on a vegetarian diet. And often, limiting your options can make it harder to find diet-friendly choices when eating out. Whether you go veggie or not, it's important to eat plenty of filling protein and avoid eating too many high-calorie, fat-heavy foods.

Rumor: Cut out dairy -- it's all fattening and high in calories.

The Real Deal: Nope! While full-fat dairy can be a bad idea for scale-watchers (limit your intake of this stuff), low-calorie, low-fat and even fat-free options can be a dieter's best friend! Look for light versions of cottage cheese, yogurt (frozen and regular!), cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, milk and more. Curious about which light cheeses are chew-worthy? Check out our cheese reviews coming up tomorrow!

Rumor - When dining out, it's always best to stick with a salad.

Reality - Restaurant salads can sometimes be the worst items on the menu! If you don't believe us, check out these salad shockers! http://www.hungry-girl.com/week/weeklydetails.php?isid=911

Just because your plate starts off with leafy greens doesn't mean it's a good choice. Globs of oily or creamy dressing can cause calorie counts to skyrocket. And mounds of fatty salad toppers like cheese, nuts, and fried noodles are BAD news! Rather than sticking strictly with salads, scope out the entire menu for something that has lots of veggies and lean protein. Avoid dishes that are extra-saucy or fried. And if you DO get a salad, skip the fatty toppings, and ask for the dressing on the side -- then dip, don't pour (you'll likely use far less that way)!

Rumor - If you want to lose weight, you need to avoid the stuff you crave (chocolate, chips, etc.) at ALL costs!

Reality - Depriving yourself can actually lead you to abandon your diet altogether!

Although it is a good idea to limit trigger foods (stuff you KNOW you'll go overboard on), you can (and should) find guilt-free alternatives to your favorite snack foods for when the urge hits you hard. If you need a little chocolate now and then, try some of our guilt-free chocolate craving busters- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5673-top-ate-guilt-free-chocolate-craving-busters -
If you can't live without fried food, give faux-frying a try -- HG's got recipes for everything from onion rings (153 calories, 1g fat and a POINTS® value of 2* per serving) -http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5674-hg-s-lord-of-the-onion-rings- t o eggplant parm (170 calories, 2.5g fat and a POINTS® value of 3* per serving) http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/5675-hg-s-no-harm-eggplant-parm. It's much better to go with a balanced approach to eating that you can stick to than to swear off your favorite foods forever!

Rumor - The more calories you cut from your daily diet, the more pounds you'll drop.

Reality - Take in too few calories, and your body will go into starvation mode and cling to your extra lbs. for dear life.

While nixing excess calories is key to weight loss, your body NEEDS a certain amount of calories each day. The exact amount varies depending on a whole slew of factors (from your age and weight to your activity level), but experts recommend that no one drop below 1,200 calories per day. Think of food and calories as fuel -- your body can't burn fat if it's running on empty. Taking in too few calories can cause your metabolism to slow down, and a sluggish metabolism makes it harder to lose weight.

Rumor - Eating certain types of soup can promote weight loss.

Reality - It's TRUE! Okay, this doesn't mean you can spend hours each day slurping up creamy chowders and bisques and lose weight.

But studies have shown that when people start a meal with broth-based soup, they take in a whopping 20% FEWER calories overall at that meal! How cool is that!?! Go for soups that are low in calories & fat and high in fiber -- those'll fill you up without weighing you down.

yoginimary

Good ones!

As a veggie, I know how bad a veggie's diet can be. Back in high school I had a PB&J, diet coke, chips, and candy bar for lunch. I weighed 125 - ah, high school - now I don't eat any of that, but that doesn't mean you can't gain weight even on a healthy diet. Too much in, too little out = weight gain no matter how healthy.

Most people will lose a little when they become vegetarian - just like any other restrictive diet - if all you do is cut out foods you used to eat and don't replace them, you will most likely lose weight.

Thanks HM.

melathon

Yes, I used to be what I jokingly called a "cheese-a-tarian" for 7 years. I was a vegetarian that didn't eat veggies! Bad, bad. Now I'm better. Unfortunately, in the fall I made stir fry for a week straight and sort of broccolied-out my fiance; now no more stir fry for him. I have to eat my broccoli alone.

Healthier_Me

Very welcome HM.

~Joanna:flowerforyou: