Why The Top 10 Diet Myths Are Totally Wrong (& What You Should Know Instead)
It's time we set the record straight.
stock There is a lot of information available about dieting, nutrition and losing weight, but what is fact and what is myth? And more importantly, what weight loss strategy is right for you?
In over 25 years of clinical experience, I have found certain universal truths and other facts that are true for certain groups of people united by a common strength — they have the same dominant gland or organ in their bodies. I refer to this as your "body type."
There are 25 body types in total, and some of them include the Adrenal body type, Stomach body type, Liver body type, and so on. Your body type refers to which gland or organ is dominant in controlling your weight, along with determining your dieting needs.
Understanding your body type and how it functions best can help you live a healthier lifestyle and lose weight, while meeting your physical and emotional needs. (You can determine which body type you are by taking my test at www.bodytype.com.)
Regardless of which body type you are, some dieting myths apply to just about all of us.
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Here are the top 10 diet myths — and why they're totally wrong:
Myth #1: Fat is bad for you.
Many diet programs today insist on reducing fat intake. Actually, fat is essential to digestion, and completely eliminating it from your diet for even a short time can damage your health and even cause weight gain.
Myth #2: Eat margarine vs. butter.
The myth that margarine (which is made from vegetable oils) is better for you than butter (which is made from dairy) is based on the perception that vegetable oils are better than animal fats. However, the body needs essential fatty acids, of which butter is an excellent source, and margarine is not.
In fact, margarine contains molecules that are harmful to the body’s cell structure, and its trans-fatty acid compounds (TFA’s) have been directly linked to an increase in coronary disease.
Myth #3: Eating only raw foods is healthier for you.
A common misperception is that eating only raw fruits and vegetables will promote weight loss. While this is true for some body types, such as the Adrenal, most other body types will be stressed by an all-raw food diet, causing them to produce extra hormones which can lead to weight gain.
Myth #4: Vegetarian diets are better.
Vegetarian diets are ideal for everyone, right? Not necessarily.
Of the 25 body types, only 13 can get adequate nourishment from a vegetarian diet providing plant and dairy protein. The other 12 require denser proteins found in fish, chicken, beef, pork, and eggs. One diet does not “fit all!"
Myth #5: Whole wheat bread is a smart choice.
It is commonly stated that whole wheat bread is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates. In reality, only 2 body types (Adrenal and Stomach) can consume whole wheat bread more than twice a week without stressing their digestive systems (usually producing bloating and weight gain); 9 body types should exclude it altogether or eat it only once per month; the rest of the body types are in between these extremes.
Even 7-grain, multi-grain, or 7-grain sprouted breads are no better (except for Lung types). Better alternatives are rice (good for all body types), as well as corn, oats, and pasta. Why? Because American whole wheat is a hybrid designed to be insect resistant; because of those molecular changes, the body has trouble digesting it. Unfortunately, most corn that is readily available, is GMO (genetically modified organism) resulting in unnecessary stress to the digestive system.
Myth #6: Eat sugar for instant energy.
Is a candy bar a quick fix for an energy boost? No, the body’s energy comes from glucose, which is a product of digesting carbohydrates, not refined sugar.
Carbohydrates are the natural sugars found in grains, vegetables and fruit. Unlike refined sugar, natural sugars from fruit also provide nutrients that aid digestion. Refined sugar lacks these nutrients and actually depletes the body’s mineral reserves and depletes the adrenal glands. In short, sugar is a “downer.”
Myth #7: Artificial sweeteners are better for you than sugar.
Most artificial sweeteners, including aspartame (NutraSweet®) are toxic to the liver and, in most cases, more harmful than sugar.
Myth #8: Fruit isn’t the same as sugar.
A common misperception is that fruit can be eaten anytime as a sugar replacement. Fruit is still a simple sugar, which is harder on the digestive system than processing carbohydrates. The best time to eat fruit is when your body has the most energy available to digest it. The time of day to eat fruit varies among the 25 body types.
Myth #9: Liquids are just as good for your body as water.
The body’s need for water is satisfied by coffee, tea, soda or juice… right? No. The body’s digestive processes require clear water, and even water with some impurities can reduce the body’s efficiency.
As a general rule, divide your weight (in pounds) by 2 to obtain the amount of clear water (in ounces) you should drink daily. For example, a 130- =pound person should drink about 65 ounces of water daily.
Myth #10: Microwave cooking isn't that bad.
Are foods cooked in microwave ovens as healthful as those heated by conventional methods? No. In fact, the microwave radiation can cause molecular changes in food that make it very stressful on the digestive system.
Addressing these common misperceptions is a good place to start. The next step is to determine your body type, since you are one of 25, each with differing nutritional requirements. Knowing your body type validates what you intuitively know, have found to work over the years, and fills in the gaps.
Dr. Carolyn Mein is a fellow of the American Council of Applied Clinical Nutrition (F.A.C.A.C.N.) and discovered the 25 Body Type System, detailing the unique nutritional and exercise needs, as well as personality profiles for each body type. Visit her website, BodyType.com, to learn more and discover which body type describes you.