There are many common misconceptions and myths around diet, especially when it comes to weight loss. The internet is filled with different approaches and opinions. While it’s true that some things may work better for different people, you don’t need to worry about all of the things you’ve heard along the way. Some myths create a mindset that leads to an unhealthy relationship with food. Today we are going to address six common nutrition and weight loss myths to clear them up for good.
Myth #1- You need to deprive yourself of food to lose weight
This is simply not true at all. In fact, extreme low calorie diets can be very damaging to your metabolism. Oftentimes, people may lose weight quickly on a very low calorie diet, but they often gain it all back. This way of eating is not sustainable long term and can cause damage to your body. You don’t need to deprive yourself of food, and it’s not healthy to do so. A lot of people can actually eat more than they assumed they could, and still lose weight when they are eating a balanced diet that enhances their metabolism.
Myth #2- Weight loss is as simple as calorie counting
If this were true, there wouldn’t be as many people struggling with weight loss as there are today. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. What you eat matters a lot. Having a balance of macronutrients at every meal is important in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, one thing that is important for health and weight loss. While it’s true that you won’t see much progress with weight loss if you’re consuming more calories than you’re burning every day, there are many other factors at play when it comes to losing weight and understanding your metabolism. It’s possible to lose weight in an unhealthy way, and you never want to lose weight at the expense of your health. 2,000 calories from fresh, whole foods that contain a good balance of macronutrients will have a much different effect on your body than 2,000 calories of processed junk food. If you want to see results that last, you shouldn’t focus solely on calories.
Myth #3- Fruit makes you fat
A lot of people think the sugar in fruit will make them fat. While the overconsumption of sugar from processed food, sweets, and sugary drinks is not helping you to lose weight, a little bit of sugar from whole, fresh fruit is not going to make you fat. Your body processes the sugar in fruit in a much different way than added sugar in processed foods. Fruit is a healthy source of carbohydrates that contain a good amount of fiber and micronutrients. The fiber in fruit helps to keep your blood sugar levels in check from the natural sugar it does contain. Most people need to eat more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, so eating a few servings of fruit per day with meals or as a snack isn’t anything to worry about.
Myth #4- Weight loss should be a linear process
While it would be nice if this were the case, it’s just not always the reality. On your weight loss journey, it’s normal to have some weeks where you don’t lose any weight, or you even gain a pound or two. You should focus on a long term mentality when it comes to weight loss. You don’t need to panic if you hit a plateau. This is a process, and reminding yourself that it won’t always follow a linear pattern can help your mindset in a beneficial way.
Myth #5- Carbs cause weight gain
While eating only processed, simple carbs certainly isn’t the healthiest choice, including carbohydrates in your diet doesn’t innately cause weight gain. Carbohydrates from sources that are rich in fiber such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables won’t cause weight gain when paired with an adequate amount of protein and healthy fats.
Myth #6- Healthy food doesn’t taste good
Sometimes people think they won’t be successful if they try to lose weight because they don’t like the taste of “healthy food.” A lot of times people have this misconception because they haven’t ever had food prepared in a way that enhances its flavor. Healthy food doesn’t need to be bland. There are so many herbs and spices that can be used to add a lot of flavor to food. Many people are used to the greasy taste of fried, fast food. While it may take a little bit to readjust your taste buds if that’s what you’re used to eating, in no time you’ll find that you can enjoy the taste of healthy food.