Falsehoods and facts on weight loss One “magical” food can help you lose weight. Potatoes make you fat. Extreme diets work.
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yths like these have no basis in fact, and can even harm your health. With growing numbers of people around the world carrying too much body fat, see if weight loss myths like these are undermining your own weight management goals. The State Government of Victoria, Australia, presents these falsehoods, and the facts behind them: 1. Potatoes make you fat. Poor potatoes have an image problem, because by themselves, they’re simply a carbohydrate-rich food. However, it’s the “extras” piled on that can be a problem: butter, sour cream, gravy or other high-calorie toppings. Like all high-carbohydrate foods (pasta, many types of rice), potatoes should be enjoyed in moderation, and preferably without fattening toppings. 2. Single food diets work. No one type of food, whether carbohydrates or protein, is the key to managing weight.
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There are many “diets” based on the belief that certain types of foods, like carbohydrates and proteins, shouldn’t be eaten together because they cause weight gain and digestive troubles.
wholegrain breads and cereals, and legumes (peas and beans). These foods tend to be low in fat, but high in the fibre that helps you feel full without excessive calories.
The truth? Foods eaten together can help the digestive system, which is designed to break down all the foods we eat.
5. Avoid drinking liquids while eating. The myth is that digestive juices will be diluted by a beverage, slowing down digestion and promoting weight gain. In fact, there’s evidence that drinking water with a meal helps digestion.
3. Start your day with fruit alone. There’s just no evidence that breakfasting on only fruit helps either health or weight loss. Since most fruits aren’t rich in complex carbohydrates, they don’t give the body the fuel it needs to start the day. Whole grain cereals and breads are better choices for breakfast; add fruit for its fibre, nutrients and taste. 4. Some foods are magical fatburners. If you’ve tried eating just grapefruit or kelp or kiwi to burn fat, you know there’s no magic involved. The best approach is still a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables,
How about alcoholic beverages? Drinking them with food doesn’t make them any more (or less) fattening than they already are. References: Weight loss—common myths. February 10, 2014. Better Health Channel, State Government of Victoria. Retrieved from: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Weight_loss_common_ misconceptions
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