11 Dieting Tips You Thought Were True But Actually Aren't
Dieting is probably one of the most Googled topics out there and nutrition fads are perpetuated so widely it's hard to know what to believe. A weak bottom line is that enjoying anything in moderation will help to maintain a balanced diet. But to set the records straight, here are some of the most widely believed health myths you can stop believing today.
While everything should be enjoyed in moderation, there is no proof that salt alone leads to heart attacks or strokes, though a lower salt intake will also lower blood pressure significantly.
While again, everything in moderation, saturated fats form the basis of many cell structures and organic sources of these fats like organic eggs, butter, or coconut oil are beneficial to your body.
While eggs do contain a significant amount of cholesterol, healthy bodies can process these levels in moderation. On the sunny side, eggs provide lean protein and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.
No, this doesn't mean stuffing yourself or eating when you're full is a good idea. What it does mean is that eating at regular intervals throughout the day will keep your metabolism working regularly and cut down on binge eating foods you're craving.
Yes, fiber is a crucial part to a balanced diet, but again, not all fiber is 100% good. A high fiber diet can inflame your digestive system, especially when this fiber comes only from whole grains. Your fiber intake should be balanced between these dry sources and fresh fiber-filled veggies.
Vegetarians are extremely common, but the nutrients usually found in meats must also be replaced by high-protein alternatives to maintain a balanced diet.
According to the CDC, "The time of day isn't what affects how your body uses calories. It's the overall number of calories you eat and the calories you burn over the course of 24 hours that affects your weight."
There are suggestions that nighttime eating is more dangerous because of its relation to boredom and binge eating than at other times of the day, but these facts are extraneous to the fact that a calorie is a calorie no matter when it's consumed.
Nutrition information from the Mayo Clinic advises that while some foods may boost your metabolism slightly, they are simply insignificant compared to the lifestyle changes and exercise necessary to effectively and permanently lose weight.
This one is pretty straightforward, no studies needed. While salad generally starts out healthy with a plethora of vegetables and nuts, it can quickly be corrupted to an unhealthy meal with heavy or oily dressings and sugary toppings.
The biggest misconception here is that all fats are bad. Actually, there are "good" and "bad" fats and the good fats are essential to a healthy diet. These can be found in avocados, nuts, or unsaturated oils. Low-fat treats also tend to have more sugar than other versions in order to keep the taste on par with what consumers have come to expect.
Many dieting programs operate on this assumption and cut out carbs completely, but eating carbs in moderation helps our bodies to function optimally. Our brains alone use 130g of carbs each day and they also help with serotonin production to keep us feeling good.