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Diet & Health 101

Diet Myths

MYTH: I can lose weight while eating whatever I want.
FACT: To lose weight, you need to use more calories than you eat. It is possible to eat any kind of food you want and lose weight. You need to limit the number of calories you eat every day and/or increase your daily physical activity.

MYTH: Eating in the evening causes weight gain.
FACT: The time that you eat does not affect weight gain. It is the amount of calories you take in during the entire day.

MYTH: Skipping meals can help with weight loss.
FACT: Most people who skip meals tend to over eat later in the day.

MYTH: Some foods like grapefruit and cabbage help to burn fat.
FACT: No food burns fat. Reduced calories eaten and daily physical activity is the best way to lose weight and burn fat.

MYTH: Quick weight loss diets equate to permanent weight loss.
FACT: Quick weight loss diets are typically water losses that will be regained. A slow weight loss of 1-2 pounds. per week is most effective long-term.

MYTH: Low-fat or non fat means no calories.
FACT: A low-fat or non fat food is often lower in calories than the same size portion of the full-fat product. But many processed low-fat or non fat foods have just as many calories as the full-fat version of the same food or even more calories. They may contain added sugar, flour, or starch thickeners to improve flavor and texture after fat is removed. These ingredients add calories.

MYTH: It is less fattening to drink juice than milk.
FACT: A glass of juice contains more calories than a glass of 1% milk. While juice contains mostly sugar and some vitamins, milk has more nutrients such as protein, calcium, potassium and Vitamin D.

MYTH: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.
FACT: The long-term health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are unknown. But getting most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese is not a balanced eating plan.

MYTH: Dairy products are fattening and unhealthy.
FACT: Low-fat and nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese are just as nutritious as whole milk dairy products, but they are lower in fat and calories. Dairy products have many nutrients your body needs. They offer protein to build muscles and help organs work properly, and calcium to strengthen bones. Most milk and some yogurt is fortified with vitamin D to help your body use calcium.

MYTH: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.
FACT: Many foods high in starch, like bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables (like potatoes and yams) are low in fat and calories. They become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise.

MYTH: Drinking wine instead of beer it is better.
FACT: It is simply not true. One glass of wine (5 ounces) contains 130 calories where as one bottle of beer (12 ounces) has 150 calories. Remember, the sweeter the wine, the more sugar and calories it contains. By the same token for hard liquor; the higher the proof, the higher the calories. Although, some evidence indicates that a small glass of wine a day does have some heart healthy benefits.

MYTH: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.
FACT: In small amounts, nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber, and minerals including magnesium and copper.