Diets are important tools that can help us achieve our weight loss or maintain a healthy lifestyle goals. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding diets. In this blog post, we will debunk some popular diet myths and provide you with some facts to guide you in achieving healthy weight loss or creating a sustainable eating plan.
Myth: Carbohydrates cause weight gain.
Fact: Carbohydrates are our body’s source of energy and are an essential part of a balanced diet. The key is to choose the right carbohydrate sources and practice portion control. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits digest slowly, providing a longer-lasting feeling of fullness. It’s important to avoid refined carbohydrates and sugary snacks.
Myth: Fat consumption leads to weight gain.
Fact: Fats are our body’s energy reserve and support the proper functioning of our cells. Essential fatty acids are necessary for our body and aid in the absorption of certain vitamins. However, it’s important to be mindful of fat consumption. Avoid saturated and trans fats and opt for healthier fat sources like olive oil, avocado, and fish. Portion control is also crucial when it comes to fat consumption.
Myth: Sugar must be completely eliminated.
Fact: It’s important to be mindful of the consumption of sugary foods, but complete elimination of sugar is not necessary. Natural sugar sources like fruits are part of a healthy diet and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The same cannot be said for refined sugars. Choosing healthier alternatives like low-calorie sweeteners such as Splenda can help satisfy your sweet cravings while assisting in calorie control. This way, you can fulfill your sweet tooth while balancing your calorie intake.
Myth: One-size-fits-all diets work for everyone.
Fact: Every individual has a different metabolism and nutritional needs, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet. Creating a personalized nutrition plan is crucial. Working with a dietitian can help in creating a plan tailored to your lifestyle, nutritional needs, and goals.
Myth: Dieting is difficult and boring.
Fact: Dieting means developing healthy eating habits and supporting your lifestyle. You can make your eating experience enjoyable by creating delicious and diverse recipes using healthy ingredients. Pre-planning, preparing healthy snacks, and developing habits of selecting the right foods can help make your diet sustainable. Additionally, incorporating physical activity into your life and making it a part of your routine is an important component of a healthy lifestyle.
For more low-calorie and healthy recipes, you can visit our Recipes page. You’ll find easy and quick-to-prepare low-calorie recipes. By choosing delicious treats, beverages, and meals prepared with low-calorie sweeteners like SPLENDA®, you can support your healthy eating habits.
Myth: I need to starve to lose weight.
Fact: Trying to lose weight by starving is one of the wrong methods that causes you to gain more weight afterwards. Although you may think you are losing weight at first, the decrease you see on the scale is due to fluid and muscle loss. When we starve, the body protects itself and tries to store every food as fat, lowering the metabolic rate. In a short time, your weight loss stops and when you go back to your old routine, you will gain back more weight than you lost. Moreover, your metabolism is now tired and slowed down.
Myth: Light foods do not cause weight gain, I can eat as much as I want.
Fact: Light products are reduced in fat or sugar, but this does not mean that they are calorie-free, they only have 25%* fewer calories. It would be a mistake to think that we can eat as much as we want with the idea that “it has very few calories” or “it won’t make us gain weight”. The important thing for weight loss is not what we eat, but how much we eat. Even if the food we eat is healthy or light, excessive consumption will cause you to take calories as if you ate a non-light food.
Having accurate information is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and achieving weight loss goals. Consuming carbohydrates from the right sources, opting for healthy fats, balancing sugar intake, and creating a personalized nutrition plan are key to a healthy life.
Remember, since everyone’s needs are different, it’s important to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional, taking your individual health goals into consideration.
Wishing you a healthy and happy life!