Quite often, it is not possible to lose weight simply because many are under the influence of common stereotypes. Does low-calorie food really help you lose weight? Do you need to count calories to get lean?
Let's take a look at five fundamental calorie myths.
Myth 1. By counting calories, you really get rid of excess weight.
Calorie counting, as you know, disciplines, helps to find out the amount of energy received daily by our body in conjunction with food. But to lose weight, there is no need to calculate calories so violently. After all, as often happens, too scrupulous approach to any business instantly tires and engenders a desire to stop everything. Therefore, without having a mathematical mindset, it is preferable to just forget about calories and monitor the size of your daily portions.
Myth 2. Low-calorie food contributes to weight loss.
Low-calorie foods will not save you those extra pounds. For example, an apple contains 50 calories, but after eating a box of apples, you really get a huge amount of sugar and a significant load directly on the pancreas. Therefore, it all depends on the time of use and the amount of food.
Moreover, most people, deciding to lose weight, buy products with the inscriptions on the packaging "dietary", "low fat", "0 calories." But as often happens, such a product includes unnatural and in many cases completely harmless ingredients.
Myth 3. The basic indicator is the calorie content of food.
Quite often, we refuse some foods, considering them too high in calories. But in essence, it is necessary to take into account the nutritional value of the food consumed: the amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins. This is significant for those who have already lost unnecessary pounds, but want to maintain weight and look after their health. Excessive consumption of mainly simple carbohydrates - fruits, flour, all kinds of sweets at a loss of fats and proteins - eggs, meat, cottage cheese is very harmful.
It is important to remember three simple principles so that the ratio in the daily menu of nutrients is exceptionally correct.
- for breakfast, you need to eat carbohydrates, fats, and proteins (a sandwich with red caviar and a portion of oatmeal); - for lunch - carbohydrates and proteins (brown rice and fish baked with any vegetables); - for dinner - fiber and proteins (vegetable salad and low-fat cottage cheese).
Naturally, calorie content for weight loss is very important, but in order to maintain weight, it is important to remember about an even ratio in the diet of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. After all, a diet is a temporary measure, only a treatment, and a balanced, nutritious diet is required to maintain weight.
Myth 4. Sport is a great calorie burner.
We all believe that by playing sports, we lose a tremendous amount of energy. It turns out that few people are lucky enough to lose more than 500 calories. Our body spends a lot of energy on the usual maintenance of life - metabolic processes, respiration, "building" new cells. Moreover, the more muscles in the body, the more energy they require. A plus from such training is an increase in muscle mass in the body. A girl who systematically engages in workouts and has a wonderful muscle corset will be able to burn more calories even while lying on the couch, while eating everything and not gaining weight.
Myth 5. Low-calorie rigid diet helps to lose weight.
Some nutritionists advise rather strict diets for weight loss, sometimes even below 1000. But such dietary restrictions not only stress the entire body, but are also a source of depression, moreover, worsen the condition of hair and skin. Remember, strict diets, although they contribute to losing excess weight, but, as you know, there are much more gentle methods of depriving the hated pounds.
