Challenge your food rules.
We all have them: little tips and tricks we’ve picked up from our parents, friends, or even strangers that help us get through the day-to-day of eating. Some of these rules are helpful and based on sound science, while others are nothing more than food myths that have been passed down for generations.
It’s time to challenge your food rules. Take a closer look at the advice you’re giving and receiving about eating and make sure it’s based on fact, not fiction.
Here are 8 food rules to challenge:
1. Eat breakfast every day.
This is one of the most commonly heard pieces of advice, yet it’s also one of the most unnecessary. Skipping breakfast has been shown to have no adverse effects on health or weight, so feel free to hit the snooze button and enjoy an extra hour of sleep instead.
2. Eat small meals throughout the day.
The theory behind this advice is that eating small and frequent meals will boost your metabolism and help you lose weight. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, it may even be counterproductive as it can lead to overeating.
3. Avoid carbs.
Carbohydrates have been demonized in recent years, but there’s no need to fear them. Complex carbs like whole grains and legumes are actually quite healthy and can help you lose weight.
4. Eat more fat.
This may sound contradictory, but it’s actually good advice. Healthy fats like olive oil and avocados can help you lose weight, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health.
5. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
This is another one of those tips that is completely unnecessary. The amount of water you need to drink depends on your activity level, climate, and overall health. If you’re thirsty, drink water. If you’re not, there’s no need to force it.
6. Avoid salt.
Salt has been demonized in recent years, but it’s actually an essential nutrient. The body needs salt to regulate blood pressure and fluid levels. Just be sure to choose a healthy salt like Himalayan pink salt or sea salt, and avoid processed table salt.
7. Eat slower.
This advice is based on the theory that eating slowly will help you feel fuller and eat less. While there is some truth to this, it’s not necessarily helpful advice. If you’re hungry, eat. Don’t worry about the speed at which you’re eating.
8. Avoid nightshades.
Nightshades are a group of plants that include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants. They’ve been demonized in recent years due to their alleged harmful effects on health. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Nightshades are actually quite healthy and can be a part of a healthy diet.
These are just a few of the food rules that you should challenge. Trust your own judgment and use common sense when it comes to eating. And, as always, consult with a Registered Dietitian if you have any specific questions or concerns about your diet. See page
Avoid dieting.
Most people diet because they want to lose weight, but what they don’t realize is that dieting is actually one of the worst things you can do if you want to slim down. Why? Because when you diet, you’re likely to lose muscle along with fat, and when you regain the weight, it will come back as fat, not muscle. Also, when you deprive yourself of calories, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to lose weight and keep it off.
What’s the alternative to dieting? Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly. This way, you’ll lose weight slowly and steadily, and you’ll be more likely to keep the weight off for good. So ditch the fad diets and the quick fixes, and focus on making lifelong changes that will help you reach your goal weight and stay there.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about overcoming binge eating. See original website.