6 Myths About Weight Loss

Posted October 25, 2022 by Anusha ‐ 3 min read

So much is said about losing weight that it can be hard to sort fact from fiction.

Myth : Carbs make you put on weight

Eaten in the right quantities and as part of a balanced diet, carbohydrates will not, on their own (that is, without butter, creamy sauces and so on added to them) lead to weight gain.
Eat whole grain and wholemeal carbohydrates such as brown rice and wholemeal bread, and potatoes with the skins on to increase your intake of fibre and don’t fry starchy foods when trying to lose weight.

Crash diets are unlikely to result in long-term weight loss. In fact, they can sometimes lead to longer-term weight gain.
The main problem is that this type of diet is too hard to maintain.
You may also be missing out on essential nutrients as crash diets can be limited in the variety of food consumed.
Your body will be low on energy, and may cause you to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods.
This can lead to eating those foods and more calories than you need, causing weight gain.

Metabolism describes all the chemical processes that go on continuously inside the body to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food.
These processes need energy and the amount of energy required varies between individuals depending on factors such as body size, age, gender and genes.
It is claimed that certain foods and drinks can increase your metabolism by helping the body to burn more calories and aid weight loss.
There is little scientific evidence for this. Beware that some of these products may contain high levels of caffeine and sugar.

Not all slimming tablets are effective or safe to use to lose weight.
There are a number of prescribed medicines available from your GP for weight loss.
There are also other un-prescribed, unlicensed weight loss products available on the market which may contain ingredients that are harmful to health.
If you are concerned about your weight, consult your GP or another healthcare professional.

Snacking isn’t the problem when trying to lose weight: it’s the type of snack.
Many people need a snack in-between meals to maintain energy levels, especially if they have an active lifestyle.
Choose fruit or vegetables instead of crisps, chocolate and other snacks that are high in sugar, salt and fat.

Skipping meals is not a good idea.
To lose weight and keep it off, you have to reduce the amount of calories you consume and increase the calories you burn through exercise.
But skipping meals altogether can result in tiredness and may mean you miss out on essential nutrients.
You will also be more likely to snack on high-fat and high-sugar foods, which could result in weight gain.