10 New Weight Loss and Diet Myths and Facts

Diet

10 New Weight Loss and Diet Myths and Facts

Is it a no-no to eat after 8 PM? Discover the real answer to this question and more

April 14, 2011 | by Rachel Parsons | 91 COMMENTS

There is a lot of information out there about weight loss diets and exercises -- perhaps too much -- especially since a lot of it is conflicting. In the news, one week protein is king; the next, carbs have ascended the throne. In the supermarket checkout line every magazine's cover suggests that the solution to your weight loss woes is to be found in its pages. At the gym, well, of course, everyone's an expert.

So, what do you think? Do you know your weight loss stuff? Or could you be sabotaging your own weight loss and diet goals?

Skip to see if you can separate weight loss and diet myths from facts.

Some weight loss diet myths are ridiculous constructs we make up ourselves simply because we want to believe them. Ever find yourself not "counting" those pieces from broken cookies, the mac and cheese scarfed off of your kid's plate or anything you eat while standing up as having any caloric value whatsoever? Mmm-hmm. Join the club.

But what if what you actually believe to be fact is also a fantasy? We asked fitness and lifestyle consultant Ashley Borden and celebrity nutritionist Paula Simpson to help us wade through some of the dizzying information that's out there. We'll help you separate myth from fact and, better still, help you capitalize on the facts as you pursue your weight loss goals.

So, if you're ready to test yourself, let's go.

See the weight loss and diet myths and facts now �

SEE NEXT PAGE: Eating after 8 PM is a diet don't.

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Of course there were some tips I've heard before, but hearing them again helped refresh my initiative to use them! The new tips I read about were quite easy to implement and will be quite useful!

by RaeRotondo Friday, March 22, 2013 at 06:13AM Report as inappropriate

Great article.

by Lili04 Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 03:54AM Report as inappropriate

Good information. Back to the basics.

by Rstevens812 Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 04:21PM Report as inappropriate

helpful dieting tips. thank you!

by tulipsarebetter Monday, January 21, 2013 at 07:08AM Report as inappropriate

I always thought eating red meat during a diet was a no-no. Thanks for clarifying that myth.

by Sari Friday, January 4, 2013 at 08:16AM Report as inappropriate

that was interesting

by LittleBunny Friday, January 4, 2013 at 07:29AM Report as inappropriate

wow

by aishak55 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 03:00PM Report as inappropriate

Glad to be reminded of these tips. Thanks!

by heather_hejna Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

Basic info, but great stuff!

by robyne00 Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 10:08AM Report as inappropriate

This article is full of the basics of a healthy diet and lifestyle that is conducive to losing weight - thanks for clearing up the myths and drilling in the facts! I am definitely guilty of nighttime binging

by glamgirlseven Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 11:58PM Report as inappropriate

Basically, if you eat more in the morning/afternoon you will lose weight because you are adding fuel to your fire. All the carbs and protein will help product energy while you make it through the day.

by hiddenexpose Monday, August 20, 2012 at 01:09PM Report as inappropriate

Great article with lots of good tips. I like food combining and lots of raw veggies and fruits.

by Ydabney Friday, August 10, 2012 at 12:32PM Report as inappropriate

Very good article... eating (mostly) healthy and exercising has pretty much always been the best way to go if you want to lose weight. I keep track of my physical activity and count calories using an app on my iPhone. I feel like I've made a lot of progress!

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 03:20PM Report as inappropriate

YEY! i can eat after eight....moderately.

by andyv1217 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 10:08PM Report as inappropriate

really helpful article

by yun_yuwa Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 11:30PM Report as inappropriate

I love articles like this, and everything in moderation is OKAY

by Kary43 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:19PM Report as inappropriate

really good to read what is fact and what is fiction since we're so inundated by information from all kinds of questionable sources.

by JessBailey Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 04:11PM Report as inappropriate

exercise and sensible diet, who knew! kidding aside, i am going to use the clear soup information.

by alictasia Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 03:10PM Report as inappropriate

always learn something new

by raquel_raygoza Friday, June 1, 2012 at 05:02PM Report as inappropriate

good info i learned alot

by AmandaAmanda Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 09:33PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting. There is no miracle to weight loss. People must keep this in mind.

by robyne00 Friday, April 27, 2012 at 07:13AM Report as inappropriate

very useful information.

by nikki_glorioso Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 04:36PM Report as inappropriate

Very informative... We must keep in mind that discipline is the key to weight loss.

by charlize_adrienne Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 01:52AM Report as inappropriate

I know a lot of people who need to read this!!

by tallredamanda Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 08:49AM Report as inappropriate

I eat at all times of the day whereas some friends won't eat after a certain time. I feed my body to keep it healthy and moving not based on a time table.

by beautybody Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 09:58PM Report as inappropriate

informative

by msrayz10 Monday, March 26, 2012 at 01:11PM Report as inappropriate

great story

by gillianr Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 12:27PM Report as inappropriate

Great information!

by powerwoman033 Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 11:43PM Report as inappropriate

Great tips especially about food

by sportimonki13 Monday, March 5, 2012 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate

My rules for health - 80/20 eighty percent healthy, whole foods, 20 percent whatever floats your boat. Move for at least 30 minutes a day, all movement counts. Wall sits for a count of 100 every time you brush your teeth, counter push ups while you wait for the microwave. Those are basic things that nearly everyone can do. It probably wont help you lose weight, but it can help you to keep healthy.

by queeniemeanie Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 08:10AM Report as inappropriate

I really like this article. I have tried Alli and many other weight loss products. I have found that you need to exercise also. I really like a product called Optimum D-tox. It is all natural.

by Bobbie143 Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:19PM Report as inappropriate

This article is so true for me. I notice that when I exercise and eat right I can lose weight soon as I stop. I feel sluggish. I am starting back up again. Try til you succeed.

by bighips Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate

Good breakdown of all the do's and dont's and clear format

by whitenteethnow Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate

It was all stuff I'd heard before, but still good information.

by JKlaaas Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:36PM Report as inappropriate

basic, no frill info is always a plus.

by skinpro Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 07:47AM Report as inappropriate

great stuff

by Nicole2814 Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:09PM Report as inappropriate

:D cool!

by queenphoto Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:27PM Report as inappropriate

very funny and yet informative....enjoyable slideshow :)

by janellelora Friday, December 30, 2011 at 01:02PM Report as inappropriate

brilliant advice there :) thanks for this!

by RaraGiggles89 Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 05:34AM Report as inappropriate

Cool, thanks

by andie Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 07:57PM Report as inappropriate

Nice to know!

by grass Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 09:18PM Report as inappropriate

glad I read this

by kmb1129 Monday, November 28, 2011 at 02:27PM Report as inappropriate

Informative, definitely learned a few things

by kelley_hooker Monday, November 21, 2011 at 06:49AM Report as inappropriate

A calorie is a calorie is a calorie is a myth :D lol

by Sohee Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 07:51PM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting.

by andyv1217 Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 06:08PM Report as inappropriate

Even if you've heard this before, it's always good to refresh your memory!

by adancingnancie Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 09:29AM Report as inappropriate

Very informative. Thanks for the tips!

by danielle_blindauer Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 12:25PM Report as inappropriate

Love all the great health and fitness articles! I think they are very important and love to read them!

by ladyboarder9669 Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 02:03PM Report as inappropriate

good to know

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Monday, September 19, 2011 at 02:14PM Report as inappropriate

all so true

by sonia_silveroli Friday, September 9, 2011 at 06:02PM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by gisellemarie Friday, September 9, 2011 at 01:10PM Report as inappropriate

very good tips

by LittleBunny Monday, August 22, 2011 at 02:08PM Report as inappropriate

I agree 100% with Brown_eyes. Moderation is the key.

by Only1KimmieD Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 09:03AM Report as inappropriate

I think that "diets" in general are overrated. Good rules to live by: eat fresh, healthy foods more often than processed or packaged foods, and DON'T deprive yourself of the foods you love. Everything in moderation :)

by brown_eyes23 Monday, July 11, 2011 at 02:27PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting!

by MissPurple Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 12:16PM Report as inappropriate

Really good info. My sis needs to read this:)

by Aymee Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 08:21PM Report as inappropriate

the only diet that really works is the morgenstein diet. He lives in Jerusalem Israel ramot town. Basics ; He came to the understanding certain grains are made for certain people. bread with sour dough and not yeast should be eaten in the morning. He prescribed for my metabolism, spelt bread only. Barley bread I think he said was for everyone. He prescribes three meals a day, without any spices at all...the spices today causes the food to be retained in the body...

by moshenanach Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 01:06AM Report as inappropriate

I find words like "diet", "light" or "low fat" completely overrated. Nothing good really comes from it because all that it means is that people either starve themselves or eat unnecessarily processed food that tastes awful and promotes today’s diseases because it’s lacking nutrients. Good food in moderation balanced with exercise is the secret for me. No diet or weightloss needed :) Thanks for the read, this article is great!

by kbeauty100 Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 05:25PM Report as inappropriate

I enjoyed this article. Good info.

by Kristen_F Monday, June 6, 2011 at 05:10PM Report as inappropriate

It's good to know that being hungry is a good sign - I always feel that being hungry (especially after having already eaten, or after 8!) is a sort of sign of failure. not to an extreme, of course, but I am still calmed to hear that it means my body's working the way it should be. Thanks!

by katiespeaking Friday, June 3, 2011 at 07:43PM Report as inappropriate

I lost 150 lbs about 18 years ago and even after having 2 kids have kept most of it off. I believe the word"diet" sets you up for failure .

by Dash74 Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 06:32AM Report as inappropriate

Great article, I've been living by the "don't eat after 8pm" rule for YEARS!!!

by BellezzaBeauty Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 04:58PM Report as inappropriate

Drinking water before a meal helps consume less food too. Good article though

by ebbsandtides Friday, May 27, 2011 at 08:12AM Report as inappropriate

I just had some agave.. Yummy

by modinosaur Monday, May 23, 2011 at 08:32PM Report as inappropriate

agave is not corn syrup. It comes from a cactus plant. It's more like maple syrup. It's considered a fructose which can raise your blood sugar. But if you can use you fructose without a problem you should be able to handle this one. I prefer stevia to any other sweetner.

by sonset Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 01:51PM Report as inappropriate

Good article, a lot of simple basics that tend to get overlooked on a daily basis.

by midnightblue00 Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 07:21AM Report as inappropriate

Ha - people always used to tell me,"Your body is comfortable at that weight so stop trying to be thinner." Now I know I am right!

by lisa_brown Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 09:01PM Report as inappropriate

I eat less than I ever have in my life and I seem to have gained a bit of weight. I eat healthy with occasional snacks. It sucks.

by lisa_brown Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 08:54PM Report as inappropriate

I need to eat more broth based soups. It's nice to feel full but not consume so many empty calories :)

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 10:53PM Report as inappropriate

Nice to know about the after 8?

by krycekov Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 07:10PM Report as inappropriate

as long as you stop eating an hour before you go to sleep, youre good ;)

by kenya Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:06PM Report as inappropriate

My portions have not changed but metabolism has..

by elena62 Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 09:07PM Report as inappropriate

I love this article. Especially points 5&8. I never know how much red meat to eat. I love it, my Dr. wants me to avoid it. Now I have balance. And about the genetics, I'm one of those "lucky bee-oches" who is naturally thin, and I hate the assumption that I should just pig out on any and everything without any regards for my health in the long run. When I'm not consistantly working out and eating right, I feel like crap! Thank you for including those of us who just want to eat healthy.

by msbrown822 Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 05:29PM Report as inappropriate

Great info

by AmandaAmanda Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:50AM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Friday, May 13, 2011 at 10:09PM Report as inappropriate

I don't think it's necessary really to stop eating your favorite things...just cut back portion size and little bit of exercise. Great article

by Jhanooman Friday, May 13, 2011 at 01:26PM Report as inappropriate

I went though a fairly rough depression for a while and panic ordeal recently. Over about 3 weeks, I lost 15 pounds. Sounds great. I actually felt kinda sexy. However, now that I am feeling bettter, I am afraid it is gonna pop right back on. Which usually happens. I dont eat at all it seems. Even stranger than that, during this depression, I was eating at least two meals a day. It really was backwards. I think possibly I have caused my metabolism to speed up. Due to the fact of not eating at all. I believe you must eat to loose. Any answers or suggestions???

by kimberly_licalzi_fox Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:15PM Report as inappropriate

good read

by volta Friday, May 13, 2011 at 10:12AM Report as inappropriate

What a really good article, alas most of this is common sense that we already know, but nicely summarized and in a great format. If I wasn't so tired from my workout earlier, I could almost do another one now...

by RoleModel Friday, May 13, 2011 at 01:04AM Report as inappropriate

Good stuff

by modinosaur Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 03:44PM Report as inappropriate

Great article.

by MissPurple Friday, April 29, 2011 at 03:01PM Report as inappropriate

Good article ;)

by ClauE Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 10:16AM Report as inappropriate

Diet is so important..Exercise is a must.

by tiffany_gallehugh Monday, April 25, 2011 at 07:56PM Report as inappropriate

Exercise and sensible diet, exercise and sensible diet, exercise and sensible diet....

by alictasia Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 03:00PM Report as inappropriate

Great advica. Thanks :)

by be_yourself Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:08PM Report as inappropriate

Good advice. Shopping when you're hungry is also a bad idea.

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 09:38PM Report as inappropriate

very good info. "dont wait until you are hungry to eat"

by AmandaAmanda Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 07:23PM Report as inappropriate

Very informative article!

by midnightblue00 Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 07:08AM Report as inappropriate

great article

by kiofairy Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 08:57AM Report as inappropriate

Very good article. There are no miracle foods!

by judyangel101 Friday, April 15, 2011 at 02:31PM Report as inappropriate

Great article! I love health and fitness and have been striving to be healthy the last several years! Its always great to hear that is myth and what is fact because there are so many myths out there when it comes to diet and exercise!

by ladyboarder9669 Friday, April 15, 2011 at 08:47AM Report as inappropriate

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