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 Separating
Truth from Fiction
With so many diets, weight loss programs, diet products and weight loss information
available, many find it difficult to know what's true about weight
loss and what's not. There is a reason why there are so many
theories and myths about weight loss. The diet industry in America
and elsewhere is a multi billion dollar industry. Many in this
industry spend a great deal of money trying to convince you, the
consumer, that their weight loss pills and products or theories are valid. This page will
dispel some of the myths that are perpetuated by those in the diet
industry and other information offered by those with a 'vested
interest' in the weight loss industry.
Weight loss and diet should be discussed with a qualified medical
practitioner. All
experts will agree on one thing - the way to lose weight is to
consume less calories and exercise regularly. This is the number one
fact all should know with regard to weight loss. Quick weight loss
doesn't mean sustainable, healthy weight loss.
For
more detailed information about weight loss, click on our
weight loss pages.
Weight Loss Tips
Do fad diets work?
No. Fad diets may work to
some degree in the short term, but have been proven
ineffective for permanent, long term weight loss. Fad diets often
promise that you can lose a large amount of weight very quickly, and
often recommend eliminating a certain food or foods from your diet.
The promises are often false, or only apply to the short term, and a
well balanced diet that includes all food groups is essential to
good health. Fad diets also tend to downplay the importance of
weight loss programs and exercise.
Research about weight loss has shown that the most effective way to
lose weight and keep it off is to loose between 1/2 to 2 pounds per
week. This is the primary reason why most doctor's agree that weight
loss pills do not work over the long term.
Can I eat anything I want and still lose weight?
Yes and no. Weight loss involves consuming less calories than you
burn in energy each day. Those wanting to lose weight should
restrict their intake of high fat
and calorie laden foods.
Those wanting to loose weight can eat what they want, but should
restrict daily calorie
intake to that recommended by the Daily Food Guide.
If I skip meals, will I lose
weight?
No. Skipping meals may help you to cut calories in the short term,
but even this is unlikely. The body requires a particular amount of
calories every day in order to function properly. As well, the odds
of eating bigger meals or snacking to make up for a skipped meal are
very real.
Research indicates that the most effective way to lose weight is to
eat smaller,
highly nutritious
meals throughout the day.
Can I snack after dinner and still lose weight?
When you eat doesn't affect weight loss or weight gain. What matters
is what you eat and how much of it throughout the day, as well as
how much exercise you get during the day.
Snacking any time of day is O.K., provided it does not cause you to
eat too many calories for that day.
Do certain foods, like grapefruit, burn fat?
There are no foods that burn fat. Coffee consumption may speed up
metabolism briefly, but this does not cause you to burn calories.
The best way to burn fat is to
exercise more.
Are fresh fruits and vegetables better for weight loss than
frozen or canned versions?
Not necessarily. Canned and frozen
vegetables and
fruit can be equally as nutritious and low in fat as the fresh
version. This depends on how the products were canned or frozen.
Those products that are in syrup, or that are preserved with other
ingredients can contain more fat than the fresh version.
Will eating starches cause weight gain?
Many foods high in starch are
low in calories and fat. Eating too many of them, as well as eating
them with rich sauces, causes them to be "fattening".
Starches are rich in complex carbohydrates and are a very important
source of energy for the body. Always eat whole grains, whole wheat
pastas and the like when trying to lose weight.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention offers excellent resources and information about
weight loss,
weight management and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The
American Obesity Association offers excellent advice and resources
for encouraging
weight loss in children and adults.
Phentermine
is among the most popular FDA approved prescription weight loss medication.
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