9 Diet Myths That May Be Causing You to Gain Weight

By, Svelte

Are you looking to lose some weight? It can be difficult to find the correct information on healthy eating and dieting for optimal results. There are many claims made about weight loss and dieting that just aren’t true. And several of these “dieting myths” can actually cause you to gain weight in the long run.

 

Here are some common weight loss myths, busted:

Myth 1: Cutting Calories = Cutting Weight

Cutting calories does not always equate to shedding weight. While it is true that cutting down on your daily caloric intake can aid with weight loss, it isn’t necessarily what you should be basing your entire diet on. The quality of the calories matters much as the number of calories it contains. For example, 1,000 calories of junk food will look much different on your body than 1,000 calories of fruits and veggies. Instead of obsessively counting calories and starving yourself to reach daily consumption goals, focus on eating a healthy, wholesome diet. Be aware of calories, but don’t let them dictate your every meal. We promise you will feel better and look better!

Myth 2: Low-Fat Foods Are Better For You

Just because a food item is labeled “low-fat”, it does not mean it is better for you and in some cases can be far worse! Always flip over the package and read the nutrition facts. Check out what kind of fats are in the product (unsaturated, saturated, trans) and read the ingredients list. Often times you will find that “low-fat” varieties are low in healthy fats and high in sugar, artificial sweeteners and sodium. Typically when lowering the fat content of these products, companies will add sugar and salt to make them more palatable.

Myth 3: You Shouldn’t Eat Anything After 7 p.m.

Your body burns calories 24-hours a day. Food that you eat after 7 p.m. isn’t going to magically turn into fat. Many people will swear by this rule, but any actual results are not because your metabolism slows at night or your body doesn’t digest food as readily. It is due to the fact that not eating after 7 usually means not eating dessert and just eating less in general. While this isn’t always a bad thing, there are many people who need to eat after 7 p.m. They stay up late and would go to bed uncomfortable and hungry if they did not indulge in a late night snack. A better rule to follow; eat healthy foods after 7. Stick to snacks that weigh in around 300 calories or less and give yourself 30 minutes to one hour to digest before hitting the sack. Some good snacks for late night munchies include: fresh berries and yogurt, dark chocolate, popcorn (with healthy toppings), Svelte vegan protein shakes, a banana with almond butter, an apple with cheese, or carrot sticks with hummus.

 

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