If you’re pursuing a weight loss plan, or just want to live a healthier lifestyle, you’re going to find yourself inundated with advice. Online, in person, on magazine covers in the check-out line… Everywhere you look, someone is pushing a new nutrition “fact” at you.
First of all, the best source of advice is a nutritionist or your doctor. Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your weight loss plan. In the meantime, keep in mind that urban legends have a way of sticking around for years. You can actually forget about the following three nutrition myths!
Fat will make you fat. Okay, so this one is partially true. If you eat a diet high in saturated fats, and consume more calories than you burn, that habit will probably lead to weight gain. But that doesn’t mean all fats are bad, or that you should pursue a fat-free diet! In truth, many “fat free” foods are loaded with sugar to compensate for the lack of flavor. Skip the packaged items, and opt for items that are naturally lower in saturated fats.
At the same time, remember that all fats are not bad. We actually need some fat in our diets, for proper nutrient absorption, energy, and even fighting inflammation. Fats also help you feel full, so you’re less likely to struggle with cravings for sugary items. The goal is to choose the right type of healthy unsaturated fats, like those contained in fatty fish, olive oil, and nuts.
Skipping meals will help you lose weight. With any weight loss plan, the general goal is to lower the amount of calories you consume, and increase the amount that you burn. But you don’t need to skip meals to lose weight! In fact, doing so only wreaks havoc with your metabolism, and can actually make weight loss more difficult. Aim for small, balanced meals every few hours instead.
“Eat clean”. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with this in theory. If you aim to eat closer to nature, and eliminate packaged foods, chemicals, and additives from your diet, that’s a worthwhile goal. But “eating clean” means different things to different people, and before long you could find yourself deep in a conspiracy rabbit hole in which no foods are acceptable! If you want to clean up your diet and eat more healthfully, decide what that means to you and stick with it. But don’t worry about everyone else’s definition of “eating clean”, because there are unlimited interpretations of this catchphrase.
Of course, one of the best ways to pursue a healthier diet is to ask a professional! Come see us, and we’ll discuss your goals, weight loss plan, and strategy.
