Diet Myths Debunked

Having tried to lose weight for years, to no avail, I am very much about lessening people’s frustration. I am one of those people that tried every diet there is known to man. I also struggled through my teens and 20’s to achieve a weight that I was comfortable with. I spent so many hours weighing food, counting calories, sweating my butt off and reading books on weight loss. If I spent that many hours on any other subject, I would surely have my doctorate by now in something!

Now more than ever, people need to hear the truth about food and weight loss. Disease is rising at the most rapid rate ever. Our children are the first generation that will be sicker than we are. This trend needs to stop because people are needlessly suffering. If you go towards health, rather than weight loss, I swear, you will see quicker results. The diet mentality that we all have these days is so counter productive. Here are a few of the myths and why you are not seeing success.

Diet Myths

1. Losing weight means not being satisfied.

What??! I have never heard of anything more ridiculous and more disastrous. When not satisfied, you are miserable. You will walk around in a bad mood and short fused. Who wants that? Your food plan should be enjoyable. Your food should be tasty and yummy. You should feel satisfied and quite “settled” after a meal. If you don’t, then something is wrong.

2. Don’t snack before a meal! You will spoil your dinner!

Please go ahead and spoil your dinner. If you are hungry, eat! Hunger is actually a hormonal response. Hunger comes from somewhere. If you are hungry, it could mean that you have gone many hours without food, but it could also mean something more serious. It could be, that what you ate before, isn’t well balanced for you. It could mean that your last meal wasn’t big enough. Whatever the reason, please don’t ignore it. “Lean into it,” study it, learn about why, and for god’s sake, don’t ignore it. Getting to a meal with incredible hunger just sets you up for failure. Once hungry, there is more of a tendency to binge. Binging leads to more binging.

3. Never skip breakfast.

Hogwash!! Remember, hunger is a hormonal response. If you are not hungry, don’t eat. Do not force feed!!!!!!! My caveat though is this…. sometimes real hunger doesn’t register as hunger. Sometimes hunger comes as an energy dip, or bad mood or even headache. So, if you are one of those that aren’t aware yet of what that is for you, be careful.

4. Fill up by drinking during your meals.

This is a big no-no in my eyes. Drinking during a meal only gives you bloat! This can be because drinking fluids during the meal “dilutes” digestive juices or further taxes a weak system. If you have to drink during a meal, take small sips. Try not to chug water. See if this makes a difference or not.

5. Eat small portions, control calories and try not to get too full.

I have trouble with this advice. To tell someone dealing with intense hunger and cravings, to reduce their caloric intake, is a recipe for disaster. It’s like telling someone to further cut off their oxygen supply. This is one of the main ways I kept getting derailed. The trick is to fill up but to fill up on high fiber foods that are anti-inflammatory, healing and satiating. The more full one is, the less likely you will need desserts or binges to keep you going.

6. Eat low-calorie foods that say “low fat,” “low sugar,” “diet,” or “low carb.”

Most of the foods that are labeled “low” in anything are usually highly refined. They won’t help you get the extra weight off. They will only kick up hunger and cravings. This is a huge mistake for those already dealing with hunger, cravings and low energy. Your best bet is to eat whole real foods. Get filled up. Take care of yourself first and the ideal weight will happen.

Consider getting coached around your food plan and figure out do’s and don’ts specifically tailored to you and your body. For more information, please visit www.mindfulnutrition.net

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Mindful Nutrition Ⓥ

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Nutrition planning, food coaching, weight-loss and child obesity counseling, cooking classes, detox programs and more! http://t.co/si5GJnSfWY #vegan

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