Dieting has become very popular in this part of the world with people constantly doing it in a bid to lose weight and stay healthy. While dieting is good, a lot of people take to blogs and TV shows to get dieting tips–some of which can actually harm you. Here are some of the popular ones that have been debunked.
1) Celery is a ‘negative food’ because you use more calories to digest than it contains
Nope! Sorry to break it to you, but there’s no such thing as ‘negative’ food. All food contains calories – even super healthy fare like salad and veg. That’s not a bad thing either – calories are your body’s fuel and you need them to feel energised, healthy and happy.
2) You shouldn’t eat after 8pm
Fact: It’s hard to admit it, but not everything Oprah says is true. Eating too many calories, no matter when you eat them, can cause weight gain. Calories after 8pm are the same as calories before 8pm. Just focus on eating nutritionally sound food all day (and night).
3) Avoid carbs to lose weight
Truth is, Carbs are an important source of energy for the body and some cells in the body need them to survive. They also provide many vitamins and minerals and fibre. Stick to the brown versions of bread, rice and pasta as they’re the most nutritionally dense.
4) Fat makes you fat
Not all. Some fats are vital for certain body functions and are very important for health. Trans fat and too many saturated fats are the ones to avoid as they can cause health problems.
5) Eggs are bad for you
Eggs are one of the most nutritionally dense foods and contain healthy proteins and fats, keeping you fuller longer. Research even shows people who have eggs for breakfast weigh less. Although they do contain cholesterol, a healthy woman can eat two eggs a day without negatively raising her cholesterol levels.