Weight loss dieting myths debunked

Unfortunately, the world of dieting is full of misconceptions and myths. We have all heard them a thousand times, but does that really make them true? For example:

Is it actually a good idea to completely ban sugar from your diet?

Should you really stay away from fat for life?

Is it wise to never drink alcohol again?

To us, these seem like clear ways towards failure. Not very many people can truly restrict themselves from certain foods forever, especially after they've had a diet consisting heavily of such things already. Most will need a little treat now and then. There's absolutely nothing wrong with rewarding yourself every so often, just so long as you aren't treating yourself every day.

What's the big idea?

The principle behind dieting is to eat food that contains fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight. Therefore, your body has no option but to use the stored fat for the energy needed. Simply banning specific types of foods and ingredients is not a solution because a diet has to be tasty and nutritionally sound. Such a diet will inevitably leads to a relapse into old eating habits with those foods and ingredients that one desires.

Calories

It is also important that people know not to put their faith into meal replacements for lengthy periods of time. Combinations of low fat and high protein substances such as Slimfast, Mypoplex or Eat-Smart cannot substitute a healthy balanced diet. They should never be used for more than 4 consecutive weeks. Muscles and organs need calories to function so therefore calories are important to the body and nobody can go on for long without them. Cutting calories out of your diet on a long-term basis is a huge mistake. The use of meal replacements for a couple of weeks is OK, but relying on them for a couple of months is dangerous for your health. The same goes for single food diets, for example the cabbage soup diet, this is based on the same idea and should be avoided in the long run.

Lose fat, not water

The idea that the best approach to weight loss is a low in carbohydrate, high in protein diet is another widespread myth. The Hollywood slimming industry promoted this myth and now a lot of movie stars and pop singers are on a similar diet. Despite that, this kind of dieting is not good for you because a diet low in carbs and calories forces the body to get energy by use existing carbohydrates located in the liver and the muscles. Therefore, over time this diet leads to weight loss predominantly from stored water, instead of fat, from the body and also strains internal organs.

Start losing fat and achieving your weight loss goals today by ordering Proactol now - Clear Weight Loss' best recommended weight loss diet pill product.

Carbohydrates

People should not be too afraid of carbohydrates. Potatoes, bread, pasta and rice, the leading sources, are actually good for you because they suppress the feeling of hunger without having too many calories in. That means you are safe to eat moderate amounts of potatoes and bread as long as you don't use fat filled sauces and butter. Obviously you must pay attention to how these foods are prepared. Ensure you stay away from highly processed fatty foods. Although French fries are made from potato, they are definitely not low-fat. Remember to stick to whole grains as much as possible - brown bread, brown rice and whole wheat pasta is much healthier in the long run. So, a high carb, low fat diet is far better and easier to stick to than banning potatoes and bread from your daily meals.

Water

It is important to drink around 8 glasses of water each day as it keeps your body hydrated and fills the stomach. Along with fibre, water also keeps the intestines in good condition by helping the movement of undigested foods to pass through your body. Simply drinking plenty of water does not cause weight loss alone however.

Drinking a certain quantity of water every day is a good idea because it keeps the body hydrated and fills the stomach. Water also keeps the intestines healthy by facilitating the movements of undigested food to the exit point. However, simply drinking plenty of water does not trigger weight loss by itself. There is only one way to lose weight and that is to burn up the existing fat and water cannot do that.

Some claim that an effective diet is one that results in a weekly weight loss of more than 2 pounds. A diet should not be judged solely by the amount of weight lost per week. 2 pounds per week or more is a lot of weight to lose and you can be fairly certain that not all of the weight that is lost is fat, but lean tissue that makes up the muscles as well.

Is all fat bad for you?

Some people have the idea that fat is bad for you. This is not true. The body needs some good fats in order to transport important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K through the cardiovascular system. Essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 are brought in to the body by good fats. These cannot be synthesized in the body. "Essential fatty acids", from foods such as oily fish, means that they are vital to your daily diet as they are important to your health. 35% of your daily calories should be from fat, as recommended by doctors.

Can I lose weight with diet alone?

Lastly comes the idea that a good diet or eating plan alone is enough to get you back to your ideal size and weight. It is important to exercise daily because exercise is the most effective way of burning up extra stored fat calories. Regardless of what diet you're on, simply sitting around at your desk and then in front of the TV all day isn't going to cause the weight loss effects you're looking for. A good diet has plenty of good food. So, remember that plenty of exercise is necessary to use up the energy and calories provided by the diet and trigger your weight loss success. After all it's far more pleasing, effective and less stressful than sitting around drinking cabbage soup every six hours!