Myths and Facts About Dieting

Are you concerned about your weight? You’re not alone. 70 million adults in the United States are obese and over 99 million are overweight.

The best way to lose weight is with a diet and exercise program. But that can be difficult when there are so many diet myths out there about weight loss.

At Jersey Integrative Health and Wellnessour doctors are specially trained in helping patients achieve their goal weight in the healthiest way possible. We design a diet and exercise plan that takes your unique needs into account. And because we want you to have as much information about healthy eating as possible, we’ve created this helpful guide to some popular myths and misconceptions about weight loss.   

Myth: Carbs lead to weight gain

Not only does your body need carbohydrates to function, but it also needs them to burn fat. In fact, carbs help you lose that pesky belly fat. For a healthier diet, try cutting out simple carbohydrates like cookies, candy, and white bread. 

Instead stick to complex carbohydrates like quinoa, beans, whole-wheat bread, and fruit. These carbohydrates provide your body with some much-needed vitamins and nutrients. 

Fact: Weight loss is about biology and not willpower

It’s a common misconception that weight loss is all about will power. In reality, obesity can be caused by a number of biological factors. Your body weight, for example, is actually regulated by a network of hormones and biological pathways, which don’t function correctly in people who are obese. 

Additionally, there are many medical conditions like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and depression that can increase your risk of gaining weight.

Myth: Low-fat foods help you lose weight

It’s a common misconception that eating more fat will lead to weight gain. While fats are very calorie-dense, as long as your calorie intake is within a healthy range, more fat in your diet will not make you gain weight.

In fact, studies have shown that diets high in fat can actually help you lose weight. Just remember not to go over your calorie limit. 

Fact: Eating breakfast has no impact on your weight

In reality, there are no scientific studies to back up the myth that eating breakfast helps you lose weight. In fact, in a four-month study which compared the breakfast habits of 309 adults found no difference in weight gain between participants who ate breakfast and those who did not.    

Are you ready to shed the weight and keep it off? Do you want to learn more about our diet and exercise programs? Visit our website here to schedule an appointment at one of our locations.

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