3 diet myths that just won’t work

These 3 weight loss claims are wasting your time.

3 diet myths that just won’t work

Lemon juice, watery soups and meal replacements: with so many diets out there all claiming different ‘miracle cures’ for weight loss and health, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. The truth is not all weight loss habits are equal.

Myth 1: Just eat less

What better way to lose weight than replace real food with shakes or juice, right? Very wrong. Cutting down on calories so much that you’re not getting essential nutrients and essentially starving yourself is actually as detrimental to weight loss as eating too much.

When your body isn’t getting enough nutrients it goes into survival mode to save the calories it does have. Your metabolism slows down, you feel fatigued and your blood-sugar levels drop, causing you to crave unhealthy, sugar-laden foods. Your scales might show a smaller number, but most of that will be less water retention, and will zoom right back up when you do start eating properly again.

Myth 2: Stop snacking

Think of your fat-burning metabolism like a fire. You wouldn’t throw a few huge logs on there and expect it to get started. Feeding it smaller pieces of wood and twigs several times throughout the day is much more affective. It’s exactly the same with our bodies.

The fact is wholesome snacks between meals actually keep your metabolism working at top speed. Eating 5-6 smaller meals a day keeps your blood-sugar level and wards off pesky hunger pangs.

The trick is choosing the right snacks. Put down the chocolate and chips and grab fruit, wholegrain breads, yogurt and raw veggies instead.

Myth 3: Carbs are the enemy

Carbs have a bad reputation, but that’s very unfair. They’re actually the main source of energy for your body and as such should account for 45-55% of any healthy diet. Cutting out carbs can result in a slower metabolism, poor concentration and cravings for sugary treats.

Just make sure you’re choosing the right kinds of carbs. Stay away from the overly processed kind found in sugary breakfast cereals, white breads, pasta and rice, cakes and biscuits and opt for wholegrains instead.