Tradition About Food & Diets
Our society is packed with mixed food, weight and dieting messages. From magazines to TV shows to the internet, it's difficult to know what or who to believe. Given that the diet industry makes more than $5 billion annually on the wishes of people to get the body they want, it is crucial to be an informed consumer and to know the truth about how our bodies actually work with food. Below are the food and diet myths, and the corresponding facts about how our bodies are really reacting to the food we eat.
Eating a low-carb diet high in protein can cause weight loss
A diet that requires a large amount of protein while severely reducing grains, fruits, and vegetables is unbalanced and will not result in long-term, healthy weight loss. This type of diet can actually pose health risks including slow metabolism, high cholesterol, heart disease, kidney stones and gout. In fact, eating too few carbs can lead to a more intense sensation of hunger and heavy cravings, which can ultimately lead to overeating. Remember, the body gains weight because of extra calories consumed, not extra carbohydrates.
Calorie counting is normal.
Looking at food in the form of numbers, rather than taste and enjoyment, removes a person from the normal and inherent inclination of the body to control the number of calories available for a meal or a day. When a human controls a cycle artificially, the body is programmed to do so on its own, feelings of anger and insecurity may evolve, sometimes leading to over-eating.
Skipping meals can result in weight loss.
LSkipping meals actually slows down digestion, ensuring that the body is more likely to hold on to whatever calories are eaten, rather than using them to power the body effectively.It also tends to leave the body feeling extremely thirsty, which is likely to lead to overeating and heightened food usage. A slower metabolism may have side effects including hair loss, reduced attention, low energy, fatigue and poor memory.
Low-fat and no-fat diets cause weight loss.
Unlike protein and carbohydrates, fat is an important nutritional portion. Fat actually helps the body feel satiated and remain full longer, thus reducing the overeating risks. Additionally, foods that are "fat free" appear to contain more sugar and calories than their full-fat counterparts. Severely removing the fat from one's diet will contribute to constipation, gallstones, and low levels of energy, and will possibly affect the ability of the body to consume fat-soluble vitamins required for optimal health.