Diet...what is right, and why should I believe you?

Losing weight is easy, its not sticking all that crap in your gob that's not. Exercise more, eat healthy, done.

Learn how food is digested and how the body uses it.

People will keep to the dogma that calories in vs calories out is the way regardless of what you do, but that is not true either.


I eat low or reduced carb. I use intermittent fasting. I've lost weight.

Others eat high carb, and eat 6 times per day. They lose wieght.

Some do a combination.

All of those can fail even if they are in a caloric deficit.

Do what ever makes the progress easiest for you. Trial and Error for your own progress is all that matters.

Eating breakfast is only essential for gaining energy first thing in the morning, and it also helps curb cravings throughout the day for most people. And eating after a certain hour at night only hurts because you aren't giving yourself much time to burn off those calories. Plus, once you're asleep, your body is in rest mode and doesn't exactly burn foods like it would if you were awake.

The important thing to remember is that the only kind of diet that will work is the one that you can live with for the rest of your life. Eat what you want, substitute the bad ingredients with healthier stuff, and watch those calories.

Do I have any proof for you? Not off hand. But I've done my research on credit worthy sources. Take it or leave it...your choice.

As far as the muscle thing, I think what they mean is muscle is more dense than fat, which IS true.

I agree, there is a lot of conflicting information out there. What's right is what works for you. Figuring it out is the challenge. I haven't found weight loss to be difficult (THIS TIME) because I don't deprive myself of any particular foods or regiment my schedule. I'm learning to listen to my body. It tells me what it needs, when it needs it. I make adjustments to my portion sizes to suit what I need, rather that what I want, and I'm making progress and it all makes sense...to me. You need to find what works for you. I need to eat frequently and that means small portions. Experiment with the tips that seem logical to you. Everyone's body is different so when you see/hear "never" and "always" just walk away.

I'm right.

Well, you would be, if I weren't already.

Individuality is definitely key...we all like different things and different things work for us. There are many healthy things that I refuse to eat, but that doesn't mean I haven't been able to find a way to get the nutrients that I need in ways that I enjoy and can make work.

I think at the end of the day, what is right is what works for you. I read through posts on this site and others and despair! When did it all become so complicated? Do this, don't do that; eat this, don't eat that. You could quite literally drive yourself insane trying to keep up with the latest trends and fads.
The crux of the matter is that the diet industry must be the one of the most profitable consumer industries in the world. It is an unfortunate fact that many people are still in search of the magical potion or cure which will rid them of their hated ( in some cases imagined ) body fat, and as such will try anything that they perceive to be the latest holy grail. You only have to have a look on Amazon to see the long list of diet books or exercise DVD's on the best seller lists, all claiming to be "the last diet book you'll ever need". Again unfortunately, these books and/or DVD's are usually endorsed by some film, tv or music star - so that must mean they work - right? Apart from the fact that these celebrities probably only had half a pound to lose in the first place, have their own gym and personal trainer, and probably their own chef; they are likely being paid copious amounts of money to do the endorsements.
It seems now that most "new" ideas are not new at all - but rehashes of old diets given a flashy new layout, a new name, a celebrity endorsement, and a promise to be the answer to your prayers. All in the name of grabbing a slice of this hugely lucrative market.
There may be some decent advice out there, but you're probably going to drown in a sea of utter drivel to get to it!
The most sensible advice is what has been there all along - eat sensibly and exercise regularly - and the weight will come off. It might not fall off by the bucketload, but it is more likely to stay off as you have adopted a lifestyle change rather than embraced a ridiculous fad which may help you lose 5lbs a day but you are unable to enjoy the new slimline you as you are too weak to crawl over the threshold!

Consume less calories than you burn (read: calorie deficit) and you will lose weight.
Exercise for good health and well being.

Everything else is fluff, and there seems to be a fair amount of fluff in this very thread.


ETA: interesting. upon re-reading your post, I noticed that you listed bits of misinformation along with their rebuttals. so why are you confused?

The only One of these that has a definate answer is that per volume muscle weighs more than fat.
A pound of anything weighs the same as a pound of anything else obviously when there's no density or volume involved.

As for the other questions you will have people and even professionals with opposing opinions valid points and studies and links to back them up. The only right answer is what works for you as an individual.

What is right is what works for you, that means to start with looking at all the "conflicting" advice out there, maybe reading some books and magazines... trial and error... you'll soon been in tune with your body and how you feel and then you'll be making your own food choices. All our experiences help each each other reach our own personal healthy eating lifestyle.

For me I have found, no cows milk/yogurts, reduced wheat consumption and introducing fish back into my previously vegetarian diet has made a massive difference to my physical well being. I always eat a good breakfast, try and eat as clean as possible and keep the alcohol down to one night a week... that works for me.

Losing weight is easy, its not sticking all that crap in your gob that's not.

Sorry, this made me choke on my tea! Lol

If energy out is more than energy in you will lose weight. Simple! :happy:

Believe me!!! I lost 40 pounds and it really is that easy. The catch is that "yum" food contains way more calories than you'd like and one serving generally looks like something that would starve a pigmy (sorry if you're a pigmy and reading this) :laugh:

I have read articles this week either in magazines or via Internet links that all contradict each other in terms of diet 'tips' or 'myths'...what information is correct? Also if you favour or consolidate one theory, why should I believe that, over any other theories?

Losing weight is difficult enough without confusing the daily routine with 'do's and don'ts' that may or may not be true!

E.g. "breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and skipping it can lead to your body instigating starvation mode"... Against
"there is no evidence to suggest that not eating first thing in the morning is detrimental to a weight loss plan..."

"you should never eat after 8pm as your metabolism slows down and the body stores fat..." against
"it doesn't matter what time of day you eat, as long as you are within your calorie and exercise goals"

"muscle weighs more than fat so those added pounds could be muscle mass" ... Against
"...muscle doesn't weigh more...That's like saying a ton of lead weighs more than a ton of feathers?!..."

I could go on and on, and although I am paraphrasing the statements, the confusion is obvious. What is right?

There are some "facts" relevant to weight loss that are based on scientific evidence and apply to the vast majority of people the vast majority of the time. There are also a lot of things that come down to personal preference. With everyone jumping on the bandwagon to give advice, yeah it gets very confusing. My advice would be:

a) If what you're doing is working for you, continue doing that. Everyone has to experiment to a certain extent to see what works for them. There are some exceptions where listening to sensible advice can help. (eg. if you're on a very low calorie diet and losing a lot of weight, it might seem like it's "working", but it's worth finding out what other effects it might be having).

b) Following on from that, educate yourself on the effects of what you're doing. By all means read these boards. I for one have learned a lot from the MFP boards, but do take everything (including what I say!) with a pinch of salt. There is already some well-intentioned misinformation on this thread. Definitely go elsewhere to get information too. There are some great blogs out there, but try and also get in the habit of reading peer reviewed scientific journal articles and reviews, or at least articles that are backed up by those kinds of sources. Yes, they can be misinterpreted, or become out of date, but it's a good start. If you see certain "facts" being repeatedly mentioned on MFP, but no one can back them up with proper sources, be skeptical.

c) keep it simple, at least to start with. Eat a bit less than your body needs each day. Get some exercise. Eat plenty of veggies, drink fluids, get adequate protein etc. A lot of it is really common sense. If something seems extreme, then do the research first. If someone is trying to sell you something, or trying to pretend there is some secret to losing weight, it's probably worthless. If Dr Oz is promoting it, it's probably not necessary. For most people, eating less (and better) and moving more is what works.

d) if eating less and moving more doesn't work, look into possible medical issues. I mean, if you're trying that for a couple of months with no results, then it's worth seeing a doctor to get checked for any hormonal issues etc.

d) take the time to work out what is important to you in terms of your lifestyle. Do you want to cut out sugar? Cut down on sodium? Get more fibre? Go low carb? Go raw vegan? These are all choices you can make, and you'll find people arguing strongly on both sides. There's no such thing as the perfect diet, because there will always be a group of people telling you you're doing it wrong. Again, find what works for you.

e) take the forums for what they are - a huge group of people from all walks of life and levels of education, a few of whom are experts in fitness or nutrition, many more of whom have been around a while and just learned a ton about what works, and many who are well versed in conventional wisdom. Some are here to get support, some are here to give support, some are here for entertainment, and some are here just to argue. Some are just waiting for someone to say "muscle is heavier than fat" just so they can pop in and educate them that in fact a pound of one thing equals a pound of another. Others are lurking, just waiting for the opportunity to correct someone's use of "loose" and "lose". Read a lot, and take away what's useful to you.