Online Diets Review

Losing weight safely is easier if you learn to think critically about diet advice. This is as much the same for traditional diets as it is for Online diets . Some of what you read is fact but much of it is just a myth. Well lets explore a few:

Myth 1: Natural or herbal weight-loss products are effective and safe.

Fact: A weight-loss product is not necessarily safe just because it claims to be natural or herbal. Often, these products have not been scientifically tested in order to prove that they actually work or to check that they are safe. There have been herbal products that have caused serious health problems and death in some cases because they contained an ingredient called ephedra, which has now banned by the U.S. Government. There are newer products on the market that claim to be free of ephedra. This does not mean they safe as they may contain ingredients similar to ephedra.

Tip: Always talk with your health care provider before using any weight-loss product as some natural or herbal weight-loss products can be harmful.

Myth 2: Certain foods like grapefruit, celery or cabbage soup burn fat and make you lose weight.

Fact: Food in itself does not cause weight loss. Some foods may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time however it is the combination of a healthy diet and exercise which proves to be best.

Tip: The most effective way to lose weight is to replace bad habits with good ones, look at what you eat, when you eat and why you eat. Develop what I call the golden triad of weight loss – eat smaller portions, decrease your calorie intake and increase your exercise.

Myth 3: Starches are fattening and you should stay away from them when you are trying to lose weight.

Fact: Foods high in starch or complex carbohydrates are an important source of energy for your body. That is to say your body needs them. Bread, rice, pasta and cereals are high starch foods however beans, fruits and some vegetables (like potatoes and yams) are also low in fat and calories. Some foods like sweet potatoes and yams also have additional nutrients that the body needs. High starch foods generally become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with butter, sour cream, mayonnaise or other toppings high in fat.

Tip: A healthy or balanced diet is one that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and other milk products (fat-free or low-fat), lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts and is low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars.

Myth 4: Fad diets enable permanent weight loss.

Fact: Fad diets often tell you to cut certain foods out of your diet. These diets do not provide all of the nutrients your body needs as they also may not tell you how to replace the nutrients that some of these foods provide. They are also difficult to follow, strictly limiting caloric intake or food choices, which makes it virtually impossible for someone following one of these diets to lead a normal life. Most people give up soon after starting a fad diet and regain any lost weight. Fad diets are therefore not the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

Fad diets often promise quick weight loss, this may inadvertently endanger your health. Rapid weight loss (losing more than 3 pounds a week after the first couple of weeks) may increase your risk for developing gallstones (clusters of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful). The imbalance of nutrients caused by rapid weight loss can also cause osteoporosis and other similar complications. Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities, which can be fatal.

Tip: Research suggests that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is by making healthy food choices, eating moderate portions and building physical activity into your daily life. Weight loss of 1/2 pound to 2 pounds a week is considered healthy. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits, you may also lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Myth 5: High-protein or low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.

Fact: The human body works efficiently because everything is in balance. Skewing your diet to a particular group of foods e.g. high-protein or low-carbohydrate is not healthy or balanced and this can cause long-term health effects.

By following a high protein diet you may raise your risk of developing heart disease as most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese means you may be eating too much fat and cholesterol.

Similarly, eating fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the build up of ketones in your blood. Ketones are partially broken-down fats. A build up of these in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease.

Both types of diets, high protein and low carbohydrate, means you may be eating too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains which can lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fibre. These diets may also result in feelings of nausea, tiredness, and weakness.

Tip: Food choices are strictly limited with both the high-protein and low-carbohydrate diets; this means they are often low in calories and so they may cause short-term weight loss. A balanced diet that includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat will also allow you to lose weight. By following a balanced diet, you will not have to stop eating whole classes of foods, such as whole grains, fruits or vegetables which means you will still benefit from the key nutrients they contain. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a greater variety of foods.

Online diets tend to have a food generator that allows you to incorporate all the foods you like in a healthy way however you must be sure to discuss any changes in your diet with a health care professional, especially if you have health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes. Better to be safe than sorry my mother always said – truer words never spoken.

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