10 Diet myths!

shovav91
shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
edited October 6 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, so I'm not a fan of some of the rumors going around regarding "dieting".
For example, I've seen two posts today refer to celery as a "negative calorie food", which is simply not true. I'm not sure how these myths began or propagated so rapidly, but let's put them to bed, shall we?

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1896439_1896359_1896346,00.html

The truth:
1. The time of day you eat doesn't matter. It's calories in vs. calories out!
2. There is no such thing as a negative calorie food.
3. Liquid calories count (I didn't think that needed to be said)...
4. Don't deny yourself cravings; it's all about moderation.
5. Don't put slightly overweight children on restrictive diets. Make small changes.
6. Diet soda has the potential to make you gain weight
7. You burn slightly (emphasis on slightly) more calories in the winter because your body expends energy trying to stay warm.
8. Yo-yo diets won't help you in the long run, but they won't hurt you too badly either.
9. Red meat is not the enemy
10. Diets do work

Replies

  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    The truth:
    1. The time of day you eat doesn't matter. It's calories in vs. calories out!
    2. There is no such thing as a negative calorie food.
    3. Liquid calories count (I didn't think that needed to be said)...
    4. Don't deny yourself cravings; it's all about moderation.
    5. Don't put slightly overweight children on restrictive diets. Make small changes.
    6. Diet soda has the potential to make you gain weight
    7. You burn slightly (emphasis on slightly) more calories in the winter because your body expends energy trying to stay warm.
    8. Yo-yo diets won't help you in the long run, but they won't hurt you too badly either.
    9. Red meat is not the enemy
    10. Diets do work

    Truth...all.
  • nel0311
    nel0311 Posts: 248
    nice!
  • traceracer
    traceracer Posts: 303 Member
    Interesting! I always wondered about the yoyo dieting. I have been terrible for that!
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    re yoyo dieting: hindering RMR by dropping weight instead of dropping fat?
  • tmarie2715
    tmarie2715 Posts: 1,111 Member
    :( I like how much I learn on this site. I am such a gullible fool!
  • kellyjamespro
    kellyjamespro Posts: 88 Member
    Ok, so I'm not a fan of some of the rumors going around regarding "dieting".
    For example, I've seen two posts today refer to celery as a "negative calorie food", which is simply not true. I'm not sure how these myths began or propagated so rapidly, but let's put them to bed, shall we?

    http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1896439_1896359_1896346,00.html

    The truth:
    1. The time of day you eat doesn't matter. It's calories in vs. calories out!
    2. There is no such thing as a negative calorie food.
    3. Liquid calories count (I didn't think that needed to be said)...
    4. Don't deny yourself cravings; it's all about moderation.
    5. Don't put slightly overweight children on restrictive diets. Make small changes.
    6. Diet soda has the potential to make you gain weight
    7. You burn slightly (emphasis on slightly) more calories in the winter because your body expends energy trying to stay warm.
    8. Yo-yo diets won't help you in the long run, but they won't hurt you too badly either.
    9. Red meat is not the enemy
    10. Diets do work

    THANK YOU FOR THE CLEARING THIS MYTHS UP! HELP STOP THE MADNESS!
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    I like everything on your list except #6. In my opinion, there simply isn't enough evidence one way or the other to say that diet soda has the potential to make you gain weight. Yes, I know all about the supposed link to insulin and appetite stimulation :) But the evidence is week and for every study that says there's a connection, there is a study that says there is not one.

    I choose to drink diet soda because I feel it satisfies my cravings for sweet things. And I like it.
  • TigersFanIndy34
    TigersFanIndy34 Posts: 54
    The only things I worry about are the things that work or don't work for me :)

    I think for most of the nutrition information there are as many answers as their are studies. The best thing is just to do your best and not sweat the small stuff. Move more, eat less and if it's working for you - meaning not only are you losing weight but you are FEELING better then keep it up. If it's not working then stop and do something different ;)

    Sometimes we simply over think it.

    I love my diet soda. I don't drink much because it's not in my families budget but when I can have some as a treat it sure does fill up my stomach and keep me from wanting to eat and really satisfies my cravings for something a little sweet. Each to their own.
  • jnhu72
    jnhu72 Posts: 558 Member
    In regards to diet soda: I have drank it all my life from when I was a kid until 21. 5 months ago I gave it up and while I don't necessarily think I lost anymore weight I do feel so much different. I drink nothing but water and decaf tea with nothing in it now. I have less cravings for sugar, I focus better, my skin is clearer, my teeth are whiter, I sleep better and exercise is easier for me.
  • Happy_Taco
    Happy_Taco Posts: 48 Member
    Thank you for sharing!

    I think one of the things to add is that you have to get to know your body and how it responds to things, like particular foods or exercises. There's no 1 size fits all for diets. Or workouts. It may work for a lot of people, but not all. Find what you like, keep tweaking and keep going.
  • M3CH4N1C
    M3CH4N1C Posts: 157
    That is nonsense. Celery has more nutrition per calorie than almost any food in the world. Period
  • kag1526
    kag1526 Posts: 210 Member
    Honestly the only one in the list I thought was true was the negative calorie food thing, and even that I didn't think something really had negative calories just that the amount of work your body needed to digest it was more then what you put in.

    I have always heard water was the same way because your body had to heat it up to body temperature and digest it, and since there were no calories you burned a few. Not enough to really make a difference (just like the burning calories to stay warm thing) but a measurable amount none the less.... maybe I was wrong there.
  • snailrunner
    snailrunner Posts: 215 Member
    Here's an alternative view on 10 diet myths:

    http://www.zoeharcombe.com/2011/09/10-diet-myths-gkr-karate-uk-conference-presentation/
  • klmnumbers
    klmnumbers Posts: 213 Member
    7. You burn slightly (emphasis on slightly) more calories in the winter because your body expends energy trying to stay warm.

    God, I feel that one walking home in my giant coat in 20 degree weather. =(
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