5 Weight loss myths

So much is said about losing weight that it can be hard to sort fact from fiction. Here's the truth about five common weight-loss myths.

1. Starving myself is the best way to lose weight

Crash diets are unlikely to result in long-term weight loss. In fact, they can sometimes lead to longer term weight gain. Your body will be low on energy, causing you to crave high fat and high sugar foods. When you finally give in and eat those foods, you will often eat more calories than you need, causing weight gain. 

2. A radical exercise regime is the only way to lose weight

Not true. Sensible weight loss involves making small changes that you can stick to for a long time. That means building regular physical activity into your daily routine. Adults between nineteen and sixty four should get at least one hundred and fifty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity such as fast walking or cycling every week, and those who are overweight are likely to need more than this in order to lose weight. 

3. Slimming pills are effective for long-term weight loss

No, they're not. Slimming pills alone will not help you keep the weight off long term. They should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.

4. Healthy foods are more expensive

Healthy foods are not necessarily more expensive than their unhealthy alternatives. You'll typically pay more for a high-fat, high-salt ready meal than you would if you had bought fresh ingredients and made the meal yourself.

5. Foods labelled ‘low fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ are always a healthy choice

Be cautious. Foods labelled 'low fat' have to meet legal criteria to use that label. Labels such as 'reduced fat' do not have to meet the same criteria, and can be misleading. A reduced-fat snack should contain less fat than the full-fat version, but that doesn't automatically make it a healthy choice: it could still contain a lot more fat than, say, a portion of fruit. Low-fat foods also sometimes contain high levels of sugar.

 

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