Weight Loss Myths Debunked
WEIGHT LOSS ADVICE IS EVERYWHERE.
It seems that everyone who has ever read an article on Pinterest or tried a Kale salad once is now an expert on all things nutrition. And all these options of course contradict each other.
(Pssst.... read to the end, I've got a little gift for you)
I say, forget about "who's right" and let's focus on "what's right." Because what gets lasting results is what I'm focusing on in this post.
You know me, I like to cut through the hype (aka - the buuuuuull sh#t) and look at the whole picture. Food is more than calories. Different foods contain different enzymes, macronutrients, micronutrients, and at different levels. All of its elements affect each other and how our body processes food.
So when someone says banana’s make you fat because they have higher amounts of sugar than other fruit, you need to stop listening to everything out of that persons mouth from that moment on (probably on any topic ever, because they sound like a tool).
There are too many weight loss myths out there. I’m going to tackle the top ones I come across in my practice.
Myth: Calories cause weight gain, and fewer calories are the path to weight loss
Calories are important for weight loss. If you eat and absorb a ton more than you use, then your body’s wisdom will store some for later. Calories DO matter.
BUT, they are not the “be-all and end-all" of weight loss; they're important, but they're the symptom, not the cause. Let's think about the reasons people eat more calories.
People eat too many calories, not because they're hungry, but because they feel sad, lonely, or bored. Or maybe because they're tired or stressed. Maybe even because they're happy and celebrating. I know I have stuffed my face for ALL of these reasons.... sometimes all in one day.
These feelings interact with our gastrointestinal, nervous and hormonal systems; all of which influence our calorie intake.
Myth: “Eat less, move more” is good advice
Well, then we're all in tip-top shape, right? How’s that working for you? People have been doling out this advice (myth) for years, so why do we still have a problem?
The premise of this is based on the above myth that calories in minus calories out equals your weight. Eat fewer calories, and burn off more calories (because human physiology is a simple math equation, right?).
Even if people can happily follow this advice and sustain it (which they can’t!); it completely negates other factors that contribute to weight problems. Things like the causes of overeating we mentioned above. Not to mention our genetics, health conditions we're dealing with or our exposure to compounds that are "obesogenic.”
Myth: A calorie is a calorie
Can we please put this one to bed already?
Science has confirmed several caloric components of food differ from others. For example, the “thermic effect of food” (TEF) is that some nutrients require calories to be metabolized. They can slightly increase your metabolism, just by eating them.
For example, when you metabolize protein you burn more calories than when you metabolize carbohydrates. Proteins and carbohydrates both have 4 calories/gram; BUT, the TEF of protein = 15–30%; and the TEF for carbohydrates = 5–10%.
Here’s another example of a calorie not being a calorie. Different fats are metabolized differently. Medium chain triglycerides (fats) (MCTs) have the same 9 calories/gram that other fats do; BUT, they're metabolized by the liver before getting into the bloodstream and therefore aren't utilized or stored the same way as other fats.
Myth: Buy this supplement/tea/food/magic potion to lose weight
There is NO magic pill for weight loss. No supplement, tea, food, or other potion will do the trick.
There are products that make these claims, and they're full of garbage (or shall I say "marketing gold?"). The only thing you will lose is your money (and possibly your hope). So, please don’t believe this myth. There is a reason most people who lose weight can’t keep it off. The real magic is in adopting a sustainable holistic and healthy approach to living your life. What you need is a LONG-TERM lifestyle makeover, not a product.
Conclusion
Weight loss is hard! There are too many people out there trying to make it sound like they have the simple solution (or the latest and greatest!).
Don’t fall for the myths that say:
Calories cause weight gain, and fewer calories are the path to weight loss.
“Eat less move more” is good advice.
A calorie is a calorie.
Buy this supplement/tea/food/magic potion to lose weight.
I have SO SO much more to say on this topic and I will be sharing it all with you NEXT WEEK in a FREE WEBINAR, where I will break down weight loss myths and give you some simple tools to create lasting weight loss while promoting your health! Click the link HERE to register before the cut off!!!! Don't wait!!
Now check out my "magical weight loss salad” recipe below guaranteed to make you drop a dress size in an afternoon (just kidding! But it is delicious and nutrient dense)
Recipe Kale Cucumber Salad
Serves 2
SALAD INGREDIENTS
4 cups kale, divided 1 cup cooked beans of your choice (white beans, chickpeas, etc.)
1 cup cooked quinoa, divided 1 cucumber, sliced and divided
CUCUMBER DILL DRESSING INGREDIENTS
½ cup tahini ½ lemon, juiced 2 tbsp dill ½ cup cucumber, chopped 1 green onion, chopped ½ tsp maple syrup 2 dashes salt
2 dashes black pepper ¼ tsp garlic, minced
INSTRUCTIONS
Divide salad ingredients into two bowls.
Add all dressing ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until creamy. You may need to add water to thin. Add it slowly, a tbsp at a time until desired thickness is reached.
Add dressing to salads and gently toss.
Serve & enjoy!
Tip: Extra dressing can be stored in the fridge for a few days
References:
https://authoritynutrition.com/top-12-biggest-myths-about-weight-loss/
https://authoritynutrition.com/metabolism-boosting-foods/
https://authoritynutrition.com/5-chemicals-that-are-making-you-fat/
