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Diets can be tough to stick to, especially when you don't have your facts straight. And with a new diet myth coming out every hour, how is anyone supposed to know what she can really believe about the foods she eats and the way she exercises? The truth about 10 common diet myths is out there -- you just have to look for it.
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You've heard it a thousand times: "No eating after 8 p.m. It will all turn to fat!" In reality, it doesn't matter when you eat. What does matter is how much you eat. While your body will digest food the same way no matter what time it is, most people have already fulfilled their daily caloric intake by the time that late-night snack rolls around. So be careful about late-night snacking if you're not cutting back during the day.
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It’s true that cutting calories can help you lose weight, but if you cut your caloric intake drastically, this can hurt you in the long run. If you're used to eating 1,800 calories a day and suddenly change to eating 1,000, your body's natural survival instincts will kick in and you'll find yourself with almost-undeniable cravings -- and usually for unhealthy foods. If you plan to cut your calories, don't be unreasonable about it.
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Actually, your body needs carbs to keep you energized, but that doesn't mean you should dig into every carb on the candy isle. Make sure you're eating the right carbs -- like the complex carbohydrates found in foods like edamame and hummus and the sugars in fruits and vegetables -- to keep your body healthy and fueled.
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You've done it before: Whenever the temperature drops and your weight goes up, you tell yourself that your body just needs the extra insulation. However, this logic simply isn't true. When you’re colder, your body actually has to work harder to warm up, meaning it burns more calories naturally. If you notice you’re gaining weight when the temperature outside drops, look at your exercise and eating habits and adjust them accordingly.
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When it comes to food, make sure you don't judge by color alone. Some light-colored foods are good for you, while others should be avoided in heavy amounts. For instance, bananas have a lot of healthy nutrients in them, like potassium and vitamin C, but white bread has little to offer when it comes to nutritional value.
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Actually, when you try to work out without eating a snack beforehand, your body has less energy to feed off of and burns calories more slowly. Instead of hitting the gym on an empty stomach, aim to eat a small, healthy meal at least four hours before your workout and a snack about an hour before.
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Think again: If you skip out on breakfast or lunch, you’re much more likely to feel famished and over-eat later in the day, and you'll often crave salty and sugary foods that aren't good for you. Instead of skipping a meal, opt for eating multiple small meals throughout the day to curb your appetite and give your body the fuel it needs.
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Just because a food item claims to be “low-fat” or “low-cal” doesn’t mean that it’s going to help you with your diet plan. In fact, even if a food really does have fewer calories, it may be packed full of sugars or trans fats. Always check the nutritional value of a product to make sure you’re not falling into an unhealthy trap.
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This may seem to be true, but in some cases, it can actually make you gain weight. Although vegetarians are cutting out the calories and fat that come with many meats, a lot of vegetarian choices – like nuts, beans and grains – can be high-fat and high-cal choices. If you're going vegetarian, make sure you're getting the most nutritional value out of the foods you choose.
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Many people believe that going on and off diets over the years – also known as “yo-yo dieting" – can wreak havoc on your metabolism and your ability to lose weight and keep it off. While this type of cyclical dieting can have negative side effects like self-esteem issues and low bone-density, it has no lasting effect on your metabolism and future weight loss.
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