Weight Loss Misconceptions

Weight loss is a common goal that inspires people to begin exercising. While exercise does help to shed pounds, it’s important to focus on a healthy diet, as well. Unfortunately, many people have several misconceptions when it comes to the best way to eat to lose weight. Here are a few myths that we will attempt to clear up.

Skip Breakfast

It may be tempting to skip meals to lose weight. It seems like common sense that cutting calories by not eating meals will lead to weight loss. The reverse is true, however. Skipping meals causes your body to store fat because it doesn’t know when it will get the energy it needs. It also switches your primary energy source to protein. This means you will lose lean muscle mass. Losing muscle slows down the rate at which fat is burned. Breakfast is the most important meal because it’s already been such a long time since you’ve last eaten. Also, those who skip breakfast have been shown to eat more throughout the day and to crave unhealthy foods.

A Calorie is a Calorie

This is true in a sense. A calorie of protein is equal to a calorie of fat, but this does not mean that eating 2,000 calories a day of ice cream will produce the same weight loss as 2,000 calories a day of vegetables. Fiber is largely indigestible, so it will have the lowest effect on your weight. Protein is hard to digest, so your body will burn more calories trying to break it down. Carbs are a little easier to digest, meaning you won’t burn as many calories trying to break it down, especially if it’s a simple sugar. Fat is the most easily digestible, so you will burn the least amount of calories breaking this down. Also, protein and fiber have been shown to keep you full longer, while eating carbs and fats make you crave more carbs and fats.

Cut out Nutrients

While it’s true that excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fat aren’t good for you, they still should not be eliminated. Your body craves them because they are necessary to function in a healthy manner. The problem is that we are designed to seek them out habitually because they are found so rarely in nature. Now, they are shoved in our faces at every corner. What you should shoot for is to enjoy these nutrients in moderation. Also, make sure you are getting the healthy fats and complex carbs for the best benefits.
A lot of what we hear as far how to lose weight has many people misguided. The most important thing to remember is that you are trying to form a healthy lifestyle, not cut corners. Fad diets only help people lose weight temporarily, and often at the expense of their health.