Losing weight might seem like a herculean task and you might have come across many ready to impart their knowledge on the topic. These wise souls might mean all well with their own ‘weight-loss hacks’ but, how many of these hacks are actually true?
1. Starving will make you lose weight
Starving for a certain period invariably leads to overeating, and worse – wrong eating, post that brief period. The usual net result is – instead of losing weight, we end up gaining weight, and even at times losing health. Body can lose out on essential nutrients and one feels lack of energy. This lack of energy often leads to giving in to your cravings for high-sugar and high-carb food items - resulting in weight gain.
2. Carbohydrates make you put on weight
One does need to be cautious with carbohydrates – particularly if you are overweight or a diabetic. At the same time however, carbohydrates are also an important source of energy. You might want to avoid processed carbs that are high in sugar but that doesn’t mean you have to exclude all carbohydrates from your diet. Differentiate between simple carbs and complex carbs. Something like white bread is almost as good as table sugar – given how quickly it converts to sugar. All food items made of ‘maida’ (white flour) are unhealthy in the mid to long term. Items like brown rice and multi-grain breads are far healthier choices. If you happen to be on a crash weight loss program (and they are not always good) – then of course you might want to cut all carbs for a period of time.
3. Avoid snacking between meals
Contrary to what most people believe, the right type of snacking does not necessarily make you gain weight. Instead of having a few large meals, it is much better to have smaller portions, and supplement with items like – nuts, fruits and an occasional cup of coffee/ tea every 3 hours or so. Nuts are a great diet supplement. Ground nuts and walnuts in particular are wonderful sources of protein and also help with cholesterol management. According to most dietitians, having five small meals a day is better than gorging on a heavy meal.
4. You don’t need to exercise if you’re on the right diet
If you wish to lose weight, you cannot exclude regular physical exercises from your routine. Eating a well-balanced diet is a step in the right direction but, without including physical activities in your routine, your weight loss plan is bound to fail.
How many of these have you heard? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below!
