Eating Fat Makes You Fat- DIET MYTHS!

Have you ever believed any of the diet myths below? I have! I used to be all about "fat free" products. That pesky fat will make you fat, right? WRONG! Read on...



Myth #1: Eating fat makes you fat.

Reality: If you consume more calories than you expend, those extra calories will be stored as body fat. Fat and carbohydrates are immediately used for fuel. The excess is stored as fat. (Protein is rarely stored as fat, as your body prefers to use it for tissue repair. Protein can be used as energy, but it is not your body's preferred choice!) But getting back to the "fat" of this myth... Your body DOES need fat, but be sure to avoid saturated fats and trans fats, as they are not good for your heart. Instead, choose unsaturated fats, like the fat contained in avocado, peanut butter, olive oil, peanut butter, egg yolks, salmon, and tuna. The daily recommended intake of fat for adults is 25-35%.

Myth #2: Carbohydrates are bad.

Reality: Some people declare, "I've cut carbs from my diet!" This is nearly impossible- and dangerous! Carbohydrates are your body's primary fuel source, so eliminating this macro nutrient is a bad idea. However, it is best to stick to 100% whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as your main source of carbs. If anything, be cognizant of what types of carbs you're putting in your body. How much sugar is in your morning cereal? How about that "healthy" granola bar? You get my point. 

Myth #3: Going gluten-free will help you lose weight.

Reality: Unless you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity unrelated to celiac disease, there is no health benefit in cutting gluten from your diet. This article is short and sweet and explains it perfectly. Go Jillian! 

Myth #4: Eat as few calories as possible.

Reality: It may work in the short term, but not the long term. Even if you drop a few pounds right away, are you really going to be able to maintain the huge calorie deficit in the long term? Not only that, but starving your body will slow down your metabolism. Our bodies are smart and efficient little buggers. Say your body requires 1200 calories a day to function. If you start feeding it only 800 calories a day, it will eventually adjust. Your body will adapt and begin to function on only 800 calories a day. Fuel your body with the food it needs to function. Even if you are trying to lose weight, you should not be starving yourself to get there.

Myth #5: If you eat after 7pm, the undigested food will be stored as fat.

Reality: Your food is going to get digested no matter when you eat it- even if you eat it right before you go to bed! It's not when you eat, it's what you eat and how much. Most people snack on high calorie junk before they go to bed and they're consuming more calories than they expend. That's more likely the cause for weight gain, not the fact that you ate it at 7:01pm instead of 6:59pm.

What diet myths have you given up on or debunked???