There is so much mixed information out there about which diet is the best and most effective. Unfortunately,the truth is there isn’t a quick fix to losing weight. It takes hard work and dedication. It’s time to sort the fiction from the facts!!
Here are some popular myths:
1. Cutting Carbs Out Completely!
Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of fuel. Glucose, the sugar in carbohydrates, is what your body uses for energy. The best thing to do is to consume carbohydrates that are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products. Timing of carbohydrates is also important: make sure you are having low glycemic carbohydrates first thing in the morning & after exercise are also important to replace your glycogen stores that you have burned during your workout (15-30 grams of carbohydrates post workout within 30 minutes). A good rule of thumb is the plate method: about 1/4 of your plate should be low gylcemic carbohydrates.
2. Trimming the Fat!
Fat is also needed in the body! By cutting out fat completely you are missing some key nutrients that your body needs as well as the ability to absort fat soluble vitamins. What you should you do? Trim down on is the saturated and trans fats and replace those with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Focus on the right sources of fat, ie: nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (salmon)!
3. Replacing Regular Soda with Diet drinks!
Don’t get me wrong, concentrated sweets and sodas that are loaded with sugar should not be incorporated into your diet. Many people think that diet soda is a “free food” and they can drink as much as they want. Diet drinks shouldn’t be considered on the same level as water. Loading up on artificial sweeteners isn’t the way to go. More and more research is being done to link excess artificial sweeteners with cancer and other preventative diseases. To change things up, infuse your water with cucumber, mint, berries or watermelon.
4. Last but not least, skipping breakfast!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Usually, it has been at least 8 hours by the time you wake up in the morning since the last thing time you have eaten. You metabolism actually slows down when you skip breakfast (and meals in general) because your body goes into starvation mode! Even if you don’t have time to make breakfast, grab something quick like a greek yogurt with some low fat granola. Something is better than nothing!
Eating healthy can be challenging at times, but having a plan and sticking with it, is the key to success. I challenge you to make your next step, a Healthy Step.
