Diet Myths
Top 10 dieting myths

Myth # 1 - don’t eat after 8 pm

It is not what time you eat that effects your weight, it is how much food is consumed over a 24 hr period. Providing that you burn more calories than you consume each day you will lose weight no matter what time these calories are consumed. Check out our online calculator (put link here) to see how many calories you should be consuming to fit your lifestyle.

Myth # 2 -Avoid carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are essential for energy, a carb free life could be a miserable one problems associated with low carb diets include bad breath, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, insomnia and nausea. It is certainly true that limiting the amount of refined carbohydrates would help as these tend to be less filling than the fibre-rich carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, jacket potatoes and wholewheat pasta. Ultimately, it is eating too many calories that make us pile on the weight no matter where these calories come from

Myth # 3 - Low fat = Low calorie

There are so many products which advertise that they are low in fat, which is not a bad thing, however it is vital to still check the calorie content because some low fat foods can still be packed with calories. For example some low fat cereal bars have similar if not a greater number of calories than a small bar of chocolate or a packet of crisps.

Myth # 4 -Obesity is inherited

It is an excuse used by a lot of people that it is in their genes to be overweight, it is however more likely that these people have inherited their bad eating habits and lifestyle. Anyone can lose weight if they put their mind to it.

Myth # 5 - Diets don’t work

If you do consume less calories than your body needs you will over a period of time lose weight. Crash dieting and rapid weight loss is possible however it is virtually impossible to keep this weight off when done in this way. The best way to lose weight is to follow a balanced calorie controlled diet. It is important to not ban all of your favorite foods as deprivation is the downfall of most diets. If for example chocolate is you vice allow yourself one bar a week as a treat plus you will enjoy it so much more if not eaten all the time.

Myth # 6 - Eat three times a day — don't snack

As long as you are sticking to your daily calorie allowance it doesn’t matter how many times you eat. Some people may prefer eating three square meals a day however others enjoy snacking, check out our healthy guide to snacking.

Myth # 7 - Don’t worry about dieting- just exercise

Although exercise is a crucial part of losing weight neither exercise nor dieting alone would work as well as a combination of the two. It takes hours of exercise sometimes to burn the amount of calories that you could consume in one snack.

Myth # 8 – You can’t eat out when on a diet

It is important to be able to maintain your social life whilst watching what you eat, if you only go out for a meal once in a while for birthdays, anniversaries etc. there is no harm in allowing yourself the one night off to have your favorite meal. If however you regularly eat out just make sure you make better choices, don’t be afraid to ask to substitute unhealthy options. Also many restaurants serve massive portions so try to only eat until you feel full. Check out our guide to eating out when on a diet (put link here)

Myth # 9- Only intensive exercise will help you lose weight

Low intensity exercise will burn calories. Common day to day activities such as walking, gardening or doing housework will help you to burn calories and lose weight, as long as you maintain a calorie controlled diet. It would be of even more benefit to your weight loss if you try to do intensive exercise at least three times a week on top of these day to day activities.

Myth # 10 - Going vegetarian can help lose weight

Vegetarians just like non-vegetarians make food choices that contribute to weight gain, like eating large amounts of high-fat, high-calorie foods or foods with little or no nutritional value. Eating lean meat in small quantities can be part of a healthy calorie controlled diet. If you chose to be vegetarian for other reasons though it is important that your diet is carefully planned to make sure you are getting all the nutrients that you need.