Dieting Myths Uncovered

Every day you’re bombarded with advice about how to get in shape, but it’s so often contradictory. Here, health and weight loss consultant surgeon Dr Sally Norton dispels some common myths…

Dieting is the best way to lose weight – FALSE

Research shows that when women, in particular, want to lose weight they turn to dieting. Unfortunately, research also shows that this is highly unlikely to lead to long-term weight loss, with over 85% of people regaining all of the weight they have lost, and more, by a year after the diet. This can then lead to the misery of yo-yo dieting, which can be harmful for health and is no way to live your life. Make a few changes to your lifestyle and eating habits that you can sustain.

You need a good breakfast – FALSE

A recent study confirmed that whether you have a good breakfast or not makes no difference to weight loss. Everyone is different – you may be an early riser or a night owl when it comes to sleep, so it is not surprising that your breakfast desires may be different, too. Listen to your body when it comes to eating – if you are having proper nutritious food, your body will tell you when it needs fuelling. If you focus on a bit of protein (as confirmed by other recent research) and avoid sugar and processed carbs then whether you have a quick snack or a feast for breakfast is entirely up to you! Eat regular snacks throughout the day – FALSE It is often said in dieting folklore that eating little and often stops you getting so hungry and encourages you to burn off more energy. Our bodies weren’t built for constant snacking – particularly on the sort of food we eat nowadays. You are better off getting used to going without food for a few hours at a time – it helps you understand that you are often not eating from hunger, just from habit…and that “hunger” can be ignored for a while without us falling flat on the floor! Recent research backs up this view showing that women who ate two meals or five meals of the same calorie content, showed no difference in the amount of energy they burnt off.

Exercise doesn’t really help weight loss – FALSE

Yes, in a very literal sense, exercise does not lead to weight loss – if you believe that all an hour of exercise does is burn off 200 calories worth of a 400-calorie doughnut. But it isn’t black and white like that. Losing weight isn’t just about making sure that energy out is more than energy in… we are much more complex as human beings than that overly simplistic model! Studies suggest that exercise can help weight loss in other ways. Exercise builds up muscle – which burns more energy in the longer term. If we are more muscular, we are more toned, have better posture and thus look slimmer. Looking good makes us feel better about ourselves – and if we feel fit and healthy we are more likely to make healthier choices – which promotes weight loss.

We should be stocking up on low-fat foods to lose weight – FALSE

The myth that fat is bad has been particularly harmful to our health and waistline. Many fats are healthy in moderation – and yet we are bombarded with low-fat yoghurts, ‘slimming’ ready meals and processed spreads that are bulked up with sugar, salt or chemical nasties that provide little, if any, nutrition. Butter, cheese, full-fat yoghurt and other dairy and animal fats are natural and seldom processed, unlike many low-fat alternatives. Coconut oil is another fat that has recently been enjoying popularity. You are therefore best off focusing on real food – that means avoiding anything processed wherever possible. By doing so you will automatically be reducing your refined carbs, eating natural fats and proteins, bulking up with fruit and veg – and dramatically cutting down on your sugar intake.