Diet Facts Vs. Diet Fiction

From controlling your weight by going on a detox diet to using sauna belt waist slimming machines, there are endless tricks that claim to give you that extra edge in weight loss. The problem arises when you end up more confused than when you first started on your weight loss journey. You don’t know what to believe and which diet ideas to choose. Today we're talking about diet facts vs diet fiction - ideas and tips that will help you solve a few dieting myths.

Myth 1: Cold water contains more calories than hot water.

Truth: Water is the only substance that contains 'zero calories'. And, this universal fact has no relation to it being hot or cold. Cold water is suggested in-between your workout regimen because it helps in cooling your body temperature, which rises due to exercising.

Myth 2: Munching on chips at night is unhealthier than munching on chips in the day time.

Truth: The basic rule of eating is – that eating anything up and above your caloric requirement (which is based on your current age, weight and body type) will lead to fat gain and hence, weight gain. Nutritionists tell you to keep away from food at night because that's when your body temperature tends to dip (due to lack of activity), hence your body requires little food at night in order to function properly. Besides, sleeping right after eating doesn't work well for digestion since your body, at rest, is not active enough.

Myth 3: One should never mix cereals with pulses in their diet.

Truth: This is a complete myth. Combining cereals and pulses helps in compensating the levels of amino acids. It is amazing to see how our tradition Indian recipes balanced these two ingredients scientifically as if they were well aware of this fact already. Our bodies can handle a mixture of nutrients without any kind of discomfort and a combination of cereals and pulses should be the least of our worries.

Myth 4: The weighing scale is my ultimate fitness meter.

Truth: No! This is hardly the case. The weighing scale is important as far as the approximation of your body weight is concerned. Relying on a weighing scale to judge whether you’re ‘fit’ or ‘fat’, is like judging a book by its cover. Body weight is a sum total of your body fat and lean body mass, which includes muscles. In order to understand your exact fat mass, you must understand the composition of your body.

Myth 5: If all kind of fat is bad, then I’ll just strictly go on a boiled food diet.

Truth: Raise your hand if you have heard of the concept of ‘zero fat diets’. Yes, we all have at some point or the other in our healthy scheme of affairs heard about it. But are they really worth the trouble? Nutritionists completely negate the concept of ‘zero fat diets’ and place them neatly into the category of fad diets.

Perhaps boiled food, devoid of spices and oils, might work if you have a tummy upset, or are recovering from a series of heavy meals. But you definitely don't need to live on it. The news for you is - fats can be good too. Good fats aid in fighting infections and maintain cell membranes, amongst several other necessary tasks. They key lies in moderating your fat intake, not in completely negating it.