8 dieting myths that are stopping you from reaching your goals

We are living in a health conscious time where açai is the new bread and yoga is the new gym. With SO much information out there it’s understandable why we can get sucked into believing that one person’s routine is gospel.

There remains a lot of misconceptions about exercising, food and weight loss. Programs such as the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge do all the hard work for you, so you don’t need to buy into the latest fad diet.

So, it’s time to stop believing carbs make you fat, eating fat makes you fat, and the likes of eating less is best!

It’s time to stop believing these 8 diet myths

1. Don’t eat after 9pm at night

Often people say that it is best to avoid a big dinner or eating late at night as you will put on weight as you go to bed or rest on the couch.

The funny thing is, calories don’t know the time. The idea of eating late at night is more to do with the fact that you might feel uncomfortable after a heavy meal.

So how come people lose weight if they eat less at night time? Well they are eating less, simple. You could eat that same meal at lunch and whatever meal you ate at dinner and you would probably still lose the weight.

2. Carbs make you fat

The anti-carbohydrate police are always lurking but there is no substantial research to support that carbohydrates make you fat.

Carbohydrates or sugar does not turn to fat. Although if you eat them or anything in that matter in excess of course your energy balance will become out of balance and you could put on weight.

Choosing wholegrain carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates is your best bet to get the added benefit of dietary fibre. See our advice on bread and weight loss HERE. And try this amazing carbonara recipe HERE.

If you follow the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge you don’t have to cut out carbs – we embrace them! Try these healthy recipes for carb-lovers.

3. Don’t eat carbs at night time

Carbohydrates also do not know the time. Carbohydrates are an essential element of a healthy, balanced diet.

Cutting out whole food groups without a health/allergy/intolerance reason is not a balanced healthy eating approach.

The Healthy Mummy and 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge promotes a full diet with a variety of foods, therefore we believe that banning foods is not great for your overall wellbeing.

4. Eating fat makes you fat

There is no particular food or food group or macronutrient that makes you fat in itself. What can attribute to weight gain is the eating habit around it.

In fact, 20-30% of our daily intake of energy should come from fat (good unsaturated fats). On a standard adult’s diet of 8700kJ this is around 1740kJ to 2610kJ per day.

These good fats are responsible for producing good cholesterol and transporting it around the body which can help to prevent heart disease.

Include foods like walnuts, avocados, oily fish and legumes in your diet rather than unsaturated, trans fatty foods like fatty meat, processed foods and takeaway for a great way to incorporate fat into your diet.

5. You can lose weight in 3 days

Even though you’d be likely to lose weight on traditional detox programs, much of the weight loss would be water – and this will all come back once you start eating normally again.

If you are contemplating a health cleanse our 3 Day Cleanse is centred around removing the unwanted toxins from your body, improving your metabolism and kickstarting your energy levels.

Because this cleanse is sustainable, some of the health benefits you can expect include: reduced stomach bloat; improved energy levels; clearer mind; glowing complexion.

6. Diet soft drink is healthy

Just because a label says that product doesn’t have calories, does not make it healthy.

How many ingredients are on the back? Do they sound like something from a chemistry class? New research has revealed that the sugar substitutes in diet soft drinks may not only prevent weight loss, but may actually make you put on weight.

Substitute your diet soft drink for water! Read an article here on why lemon water is so good for you. Plus you can find out how to tell if you’re drinking enough water HERE.

7. I over ate, the diet is over

If you ‘fall off the wagon’ just get back on. The Healthy Mummy is all about treating yourself and having rest days to ensure this ‘all or nothing’ mentality is avoided.

Having balance in your diet and making it work for you is the best way your healthy eating plan will make your reach your weight loss goals.

8. Eating less is best

This is probably one of the biggest myths of dieting and weight loss.

Yes you could eat fewer calories but that does not mean you have to eat less. The idea is to eat the right foods and more of them. By eating foods from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge which are high in nutritional value and tick all of the food groups will make your lifestyle a healthy one.