Bad Dieting Tips

Bad Dieting Tips
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In a society obsessed with quick weight loss, health and diets, it's hard to decipher which diet advice is the real deal and which is only the latest fad. The truth is that anyone who tells you that you can drop pounds quickly and keep the weight off with little or no effort is lying. When you read through diet books or listen to your favorite diet guru, keep some examples of bad diet advice in mind as you sort the facts from the fiction.

Eat the Same Foods

Some diet gurus will tell you to eat the same foods over and over again to lose weight. Whether it's drinking a shake for breakfast or lunch or existing solely on a diet of leafy greens, any time you limit your diet, you put yourself at risk for getting bored and falling off of the wagon, warns "Health" magazine. Instead, filling your diet with a variety of nutritionally-dense, low-fat and low-calorie options helps you to stay on track without going bored or hungry.

Fat-Free Matters Most

Low-fat diets certainly can help you lose weight, as fat can stay on your body and cause you to gain weight. Unfortunately, fat isn't the only thing you need to worry about when staying on a diet, warns "Newsweek." Your carbohydrate and calorie intake should also be taken into consideration. Many low- or no-fat foods are high in empty calories without being satisfying. Instead, look for low-calorie options, knowing that some fats, like those found in avocados or nuts, are healthy for your body.

Eat Less

Eating less isn't always the answer to losing weight, notes "Shape" magazine. In fact, not eating enough food can cause your body to store more fat instead of burning your calories. When you don't eat enough food for your body to function, your body stores the fat in preparation for less food. When you eat frequently, your body metabolizes calories quickly as it senses that you'll offer nutrition again soon. Eating only one meal or less throughout the day could derail your dieting efforts and cause you to gain weight and see fewer results.

Lose Weight Without Exercise

When a diet plan or guru promises that you'll be able to lose weight without lifting a finger, it's a red flag that it's bad advice. Proper diet should always be paired with daily exercise to see results, and trying to shed pounds without the aid of exercise could net you short-term results only. When looking to lose weight via dieting, it's important to remember that you must burn more calories than you consume. Adding cardiovascular activity and strength training is a must for any diet plan to work successfully.

References

Article reviewed by Lauren Fritsky Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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