If you’re planning to lose weight, it’s important to be aware of the various diet myths that are spread. Instead of getting the weight you want, these myths actually make you gain weight.
If you believe that to lose weight you need to avoid fat intake, starve yourself, or exercise excessively, then you need to pay more attention to the explanation behind this myth. Not all the information circulating is proven true.
Here are some myths and facts behind them about losing weight:
Carbs make the body fat
This myth is not completely correct. If consumed in the right portion, carbohydrates will not lead to weight gain. In addition to the amount, you also need to be wiser in choosing the type of carbohydrates.
Choose types of complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, brown rice, nuts, or whole grains.
Don’t have breakfast to lose weight
This is incorrect information. Breakfast is an important part of a healthy diet. If you don’t have breakfast, it can lead to excessive hunger and uncontrolled eating during the day.
Fat-containing foods should be avoided
The body needs fat to meet energy requirements and repair body cells. You just need to be wise in choosing fatty foods when on a diet.
Choose foods that contain healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, fish, and seeds.
Limit foods with saturated and trans fats, such as red meat, butter and processed foods that are not healthy.
Don’t eat dinner so you lose weight
There is no evidence to suggest that eating dinner can increase body weight. However, if you want to eat at night, limit the amount and avoid high-calorie foods. This is to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders and heartburn
Healthy foods tend to cost more
The price of healthy food is not always higher. Healthy food is not only available in supermarkets, but also available in local markets, and of course at lower prices.
Another example, instead of having to buy food at a restaurant, you can cook it yourself and take advantage of the types of food available in the kitchen. Apart from being more efficient, you can also choose healthier processing methods and determine your portion sizes.
Too much exercise can make you lose weight quickly
This information is just a myth. In fact, weight loss will be successful if you can make lifestyle changes and are consistent.
Instead of extreme exercise, you better start with light exercise, such as walking every day and cycling every weekend. Do it for 20−30 minutes each day or about 150 minutes per week.
Drink lots of water to get skinny fast
Water does play a role in supporting the work of the body’s metabolism and preventing dehydration. However, if you only rely on drinking lots of water to get thin quickly, without consuming nutritious food, then it can make you lack nutrition and fall ill.
Consuming adequate amounts of water will help you stay healthy and can help you lose weight if you balance it with healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and adopting a healthy diet.
Hunger must be suppressed so that weight loss
A diet with hunger can actually cause weight gain because your appetite may become bigger. You may be eating in larger portions when the meal schedule arrives. If done for a long time, you might become deficient in nutrients and energy.
Instead of holding on to hunger, it’s better for you to eat smaller portions with a more frequent frequency. Then, provide healthy snacks to eat between your meals.
Packaged foods labeled “low-fat” are healthier
This information is not necessarily correct either. Foods labeled “low-fat” sometimes contain high levels of other ingredients, such as sugar.
Consuming too much sugar can actually make you gain weight.
So, before buying packaged food, first examine the nutrition labels on food packaging, OK?
Don’t eat snacks to lose weight
This assumption is also not completely correct. Snacks in between meals are still necessary to meet energy needs. Choose healthy snacks and avoid snacks that are high in fat or sugar, for example chips, cookies or chocolate.
Now, after knowing what are the dietary myths that are often circulating in society, we hope that you can be more selective in trusting information. You see, efforts to lose weight need to be done properly so that you stay healthy and fit, even though you are on a diet.
