Diet Myths That Could Be Causing You To Gain Weight
Diet Myths That Could Be Causing You To Gain Weight – What To Do
Too much information! Everybody on the internet has the latest fad diet or pill to help you lose weight. But what is the honest to goodness truth about weight control? Like I always say, whatever you can stick to. This article is about diet myths that may actually be keeping you overweight. It’s one thing to feel disappointed that you’re a few pounds overweight because you’ve been a little lax with your eating or workout. However, when you are following the rules of the diet you’ve chosen but not losing weight or even worse, gaining weight, you can become upset and depressed. If you’re doing what you should be but not getting close to your goal, there’s something wrong with the program you are following. There’s a possibility that one of these myths are causing you to keep on or pack on the pounds.
Diet Myths #1 I don’t have to worry about calories if I am only eating healthy foods
Why it’s part of this diet myths article – You can order something healthy like a salad and think “I’m doing great”. The problem is, toppings. Pecans, dressings full of fat, croutons, cheese. Added up, these can end up making your “healthy”salad have as many calories and fat as a double cheeseburger. Whole wheat pasta or bread sounds healthy and is better than regular or white but they still have as many calories. Avocado, almonds, cashews, olive oil could very well be on your healthy list and again are a better choice to eat but they all still have calories and fat. Be sure you are paying attention to calorie counts of all foods even if they are considered “healthy”.
Diet Myths #2: Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day to avoid hunger and boost metabolism
Why it’s part of this diet myths article – there is some truth to this as studies have shown so it’s not a total myth though there are others that show the opposite. Truth be told, the calorie difference in eating mini meals is so minor it really makes no difference than sticking to a normal 3 meals a day. This is supported by Dr. John Foreyt, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Another problem with eating more meals is running the risk of eating more calories. The best advice is to eat whatever amount of meals a day you can do to keep your calories in order. Want to boost metabolism, increase your muscle.
Diet Myths #3: Eating after 8:00pm will make you fat
Why it’s part of this diet myths article – calories can’t tell time! Sure eating before you go to bed means you will not be moving around to burn them off before going to sleep. When when you get up the next day, you will begin to burn them off. With that said, you should avoid late night snacking. Especially you probably grab something unhealthy, sit in front of the TV and eat while not paying attention to how much you are eating. There is nothing wrong with a bowl of ice cream or some popcorn while watching a little tv before going to bed. Just make sure you are keeping track of exactly how many calories you are eating. look at what you’ve taken in for the day, then make your snack appropriate to the amount of calories you have left for the day. Pop your own popcorn, not the microwave bags full of chemicals and much too large of portions.
Diet Myths #4 I get some form of exercise in daily so I can eat what I want
Why it’s a myth – Unless your an Olympic athlete like Michael Phelps who burns up to 20,000 calories a day when he’s training then no you cannot eat what you want because you exercise. The bottom line is the only way you can lose weight is to burn off more calories than you take in. So if you exercise for an hour and burn off 400 calories, then go have a 600 calorie meal, guess what, you are going to gain weight!
Diet Myths #5 The only way to lose weight is to go on a diet
Why it’s a myth – sure, going on a diet plan that leads to eating fewer calories will lead to weight loss. But that doesn’t mean you are going to stick to the plan, especially if it cuts out all the things you love to eat. Instead of following a specific diet plan for quick weight loss, change the way you eat the things you love. Go with portion control first. Eat a 6oz steak instead of a 12. if you love mashed potatoes or fries, eat small amounts. At first you need to keep track of your calories for all portions you eat. After a couple of months, you will know exactly how much you can eat, even of things that aren’t “health foods” but things you really enjoy. Portion control will become a way of life and since you are not cutting out your favorites, you will have long term success of not getting overweight again, ever!
Diet Myths #6 The only way to lose weight is to go on a diet
Why it’s a myth – the worse thing you can do is skip meals and starve yourself. Studies have found that starving yourself flat out won’t work. American Psychologist, found that within four to five years, the majority of dieters starving themselves for a short period to lose weight regained the weight they had lost. They also found that people who consume very low calorie diets increase risk of developing gallstones and digestive issues. The best advice, use a modest calorie restriction that you’ll never stop. How many a calories a day should you use? Here’s a few calculators you can use to find out.
What do you think of these diet myths? Comment below, please!
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Sources
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Mayo Clinic overview of nutrition basics, healthy weight management, and common diet pitfalls
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752 -
Harvard Health explanation of fad diets, calorie balance, and why extreme dieting often fails
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-diets-fail-and-how-to-pick-the-best-one -
National Institutes of Health information on metabolism, energy balance, and sustainable diet habits
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/metabolism-and-weight-loss -
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guide on reading nutrition labels and avoiding diet misinformation
https://www.eatright.org/health/weight-loss -
Cleveland Clinic review of nutrition myths and facts related to weight gain and weight loss
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/diet-myths-debunked/
FAQs
Q: Does cutting all carbs automatically make you lose weight?
A: No. Carbohydrates are a source of energy. Cutting them completely can lead to fatigue, poor performance, and cravings that make the diet unsustainable.
Q: Will eating late at night cause you to gain weight?
A: Not necessarily. Weight gain is more about total calories over time than timing alone. Late night eating can contribute to excess calories only if you eat more than your body needs.
Q: Is eating “low-fat” always healthier?
A: No. Low-fat products often have added sugar to improve taste, which can increase calorie intake and hinder weight loss.
Q: Does skipping meals speed up fat loss?
A: No. Skipping meals can slow metabolism, increase hunger later, and lead to overeating, making weight control harder.
Q: Are all calories created equal?
A: In terms of energy, yes. But foods affect hunger, hormones, and energy use differently. Whole foods tend to help control appetite better than processed foods.
Q: Is weight gain only about willpower?
A: No. Weight is influenced by many factors including metabolism, sleep, stress, hormones, and nutrition quality. Willpower alone is not the whole story.
