Want To Lose Weight?—
Dieting Myths Debunked

   If you think you’re committing a dieting sin just because you’re a late-night “snacker,” here’s good news! 

      According to “Dieting for Dummies,” eating late at night is not the culprit.  It’s actually the type of foods late-night snackers eat that causes the damage.  Your body processes calories the same regardless of the time of day.  If you avoid the ice cream and chips, those late-night snacks are perfectly harmless. 

      The second dieting myth is the notion that you can never have seconds.  In fact, you may want to take a smaller first serving, see how full you feel, and then choose to have seconds of some items. 

      Another common myth says you should not eat between meals.  In reality, eating three main meals and a few small snacks in between can often prevent you from gorging at meals.  By keeping your hunger pangs away, you’re able to make smarter eating choices.

      Remember, don’t deny your cravings.  Having a small serving of what you are craving can actually lead to less caloric intake than larger amounts of substituted food that aren’t as satisfying.

      Another popular myth says if you’ve reached a plateau in your dieting plan, the only way to lose more weight is to drop your caloric intake significantly.  Truth is, when your caloric intake drops significantly, so does your metabolism.  Exercise is the best way to break through the plateau and continue your weight loss.

      Another classic myth claims that eating breakfast actually makes you hungrier during the day.  This is only true if your breakfast is filled with sugary carbohydrates.  These common breakfast foods will leave you feeling hungry in a short time. A good breakfast alternative is whole-grain cereal or eggs.  These are higher in protein and fat, but they will sustain you for a longer period.

      Becoming a vegetarian is not the magic answer either.  Many believe that substituting nuts and cheeses for meats will allow them to lose weight.  Not true.  You are simply substituting one high-fat food for another and weight loss is not going to happen.

      Finally, one of the most dangerous dieting myths is the idea that fasting will shrink your stomach and allow you to lose weight.  What really happens when you fast is that your body releases chemicals called ketones which build up and put a burden on your kidneys.  They’re also the most common contributor to bad breath.

      By simply avoiding a few myths, you’ll be surprised how much weight you can lose with smart eating and exercise.