Holidays are the bane of any dieter’s existence. End-of-the-year events mean heavier bellies and lighter pockets but it’s also the perfect time to look back and evaluate unhealthy dieting practices that you can change in the incoming year. Before the new year begins, identify which habits worked and which weren’t effective for you. If a diet or an exercise you’ve been following aren’t working for you, they might be misconceptions. Read more to know about common dieting myths and why you should dismiss them.
Obesity is purely caused by a lack of control.
Causes for obesity can be linked to numerous factors, not just to unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. While dieting and workout habits greatly affect a person’s overall health, medical conditions such as PCOS in women, hypothyroidism, and mental health issues can increase the risk of obesity. While your biology can give you a harder time in losing weight, it is still very much doable through following the right eating and exercising regimen. Consulting your nutritionist for a tailored plan can also help you achieve your goals faster.
Healthier foods are more expensive.
Contrary to popular belief, there are actually affordable healthy options in the market – in any market, really. You don’t have to follow dieting trends to lose weight – affordable and easily-accessible food such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains from your local market should do so long as you prepare the right portions. “Superfoods” are still a vague and mostly unproven market, so don’t be fooled by the name and get creative with what you have on your fridge instead.
Eating carbs makes you gain weight.
Consuming too much carbohydrates do not make you gain weight but consuming excess amounts of calories do. It’s a big and common misconception that you have to cut all carbs from your diet. They actually play an important role in keeping you energized and strong. Erasing them in your diet isn’t necessary if consumed in moderation.
Thinner people are healthier people.
Having a slim figure does not guarantee that a person is healthy. Thinner people with unhealthy lifestyle habits are still at risk of serious medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Consumption of quality food, regular exercise, and visits to the doctor or the nutritionist are still the most fool-proof ways to ensure that you are in good physical condition.
Low-fat foods are the better option.
Food with low-fat labels does not automatically make them the better option. In some cases, the fat content in these foods are replaced by more sugar and salt to compensate for changes in taste. Make sure to check nutritional labels for saturated and total fat content to help you in picking the best food choices.
There is no one magical solution to achieving your target weight. It’s a continuous process that doesn’t rely on miracles but on consistency and correct practices. A person’s biology, lifestyle, and determination contribute to how weight goals are achieved so don’t fret if you’re not seeing visible results immediately. Consult an experienced nutritionist to know more about the right practices you should follow in getting fit.
