March 21, 2012

Yes, most of the diet rules that you may have heard before are speculations and myths. Following such rules blindly and torturing your body may make you frustrated over a period of time and take you away from your goals.

1. Eating at night will pile on the pounds.

The total number of calories that we consume over a period of 7 to 10 days along with our lifestyle determines the amount of weight that we gain or loose. For example, consuming half a kg of pure protein powder in a day will not increase our lean muscle mass by half a kg overnight. So just chill and enjoy that scoop of ice-cream watching your favourite late night show.

2. It's best to eat at the same times every day.

Though it’s good to follow a routine and lead a disciplined life, we should never forget that we are not alarm clocks. Eat when you are hungry.

3. Dieting with a buddy always makes weight loss easier.

Sharing common goals may help motivate us but we all are different. Loosing weight is a personal journey where we need to consider a lot of other factors like genetics, food habits, lifestyle, sex, age, etc. Make a plan that suits only you.

4. Dietary fat keeps you feeling full longer, so you'll eat less.

Fat does take longer to get digested, but it has nothing to do with subduing your hunger. Foods high in protein makes us feel full for long. Add some fibers and it will be even better.

5. Crash dieting or fasting makes you lose weight.

Crash dieting may show stunning results in short term, but it will definitely hinder your overall long term goal of weight loss. You will pile on those extra calories once you resume your normal lifestyle and if you are on a crash diet every alternate week, you are bound to develop some serious health problems.

6. Skipping a meal every now and then will help you lose.

Skipping meals will make you hungrier and you are more likely to overeat at the next meal. Also, skipping meals on a regular basis will result in some risky metabolic changes, elevated fasting glucose levels and delayed insulin response. Such conditions over a period of time may lead to severe health problems.

7. Bread, potatoes, nuts and pasta are fattening.

Whole-wheat bread, potatoes and pasta is a great source of nutrients. Most of the time it’s the fat that we add to these carbs that boosts the calorie count. If you add butter on the toast, creamy sauce to pasta and eat deep fried potatoes, then do not blame the good carbs.

8. All calories are equal.

Though technically this is true, we should not compare a 100 calorie apple with a 100 calorie white bread. It’s not always the number of calories but the source that matters. Make healthy choices and you’ll get a lot more nutrients and achieve weight loss goal faster.

9. If you don't clean your plate, you're wasting food.

We have grown up hearing such statements like don’t waste your food, there’s someone out there in some part of the world dying of hunger, food god will be angry, etc. Remember that your body is not a garbage bin. Nothing can be more torturous to your stomach than force feeding yourself just for the sake of not wasting food or trying to make others happy. Keep it for your next meal or throw it once you are full without feeling guilty. The right approach is to underestimate your hunger and serve yourself less.

Remember, there’s no shortcut to good health. Think critically before implementing those ‘quick tips’ and take an expert’s advice if required.