Weight loss myths abound. You may see them in advertisements that claim you can lose 10 pounds a week or hear them from friends and acquaintances. It can be difficult to know how to lose weight when you are evaluating conflicting information. The important thing to remember is that weight loss ultimately comes down to consuming fewer calories than you expend.
Eating After Sundown Causes Weight Gain
Popular wisdom says that nighttime eating can lead to weight gain. This is not true unless you consume more calories than you burn. The Weight Control Information Network advises considering how many calories you have consumed during the day before deciding to eat a nighttime snack. If you haven't eaten much during the day, a nighttime snack will not lead to weight gain.
Avoid Fat to Lose Weight
Look around any supermarket, and you'll see labels with the words "fat-free" and "low-fat" on every aisle. Your first thought may be that fat is a bad thing to eat if you are trying to lose weight. This is another weight-loss myth. Fat is an important part of a healthy diet and can help you to feel satiated, according to the e-newsletter put out by Miami University. Look at the total calorie content of the food you eat, rather than whether or not it contains fat. Of course, you'll want to avoid trans fatty acids, which have been shown to increase the risk for heart disease.
Skipping Meals Can Lead to Weight Loss
It makes sense that skipping a meal or two would lead to weight loss. This isn't the case, however, as most people simply make up the difference by eating more later in the day. Sometimes, skipping a meal can result in your consuming more calories than you would have if you had eaten the meal in the first place. UW Medicine, a health network operated by the University of Washington, states that skipping meals can also lead to a slowed metabolism, which will result in fewer calories burned.
Herbal Weight Loss Supplements Are Safe
It is tempting to take supplements if they will help to take the weight off. Herbal weight-loss supplements are often advertised as being a safe way to take off pounds. However, just because something is natural doesn't make it safe. Ephedra was often included in herbal weight-loss supplements, and has since been proven to be a potent substance that caused health problems and even deaths, according to the Weight Control Information Network. It is difficult to know the strength of herbal supplements, as many factors can increase or decrease their potency. Also, if herbal supplements worked, no one would have a weight problem.
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