10 myths about weight loss

1. "Drink plenty of water helps to lose weight. "
"Water creates satiety and builds on the work of the fibers, noted nutritionist Julie DesGroseilliers. In itself, the water does not lose weight. But drink at meals slows down the speed at which you eat. Stretching the length of the meal, it leaves time for satiety signals to occur. "In addition, water has no calories, unlike other drinks.

2. "To lose weight, avoid certain food combinations. "
"This assertion is not based on any scientific data" slice Catherine Lefebvre, dietitian at the center of reference on human nutrition Extenso. If your digestive enzymes lose their effectiveness because of the combinations, poorly digested foods provide less energy than expected, no more! "Moreover, the enzymes form an outstanding team, and the mixtures do not scare them! "

3. "The bread is fattening. "
"Well chosen, it appears rather a valuable ally to lose weight, objected Catherine Lefebvre. Those of whole grains, high fiber, cause a long digestion. Sated quickly, so you eat less. "" An apple contains almost as many calories as a slice of whole wheat bread, said Julie DesGroseilliers. They say as long as it makes you fat? "What we are toast, however: butter, cheese, pies ... Ouch!

4. "Fasting cleanses the body. "
Go without food nothing beneficial! "The waste from the body naturally excreted in feces and urine, says Catherine Lefebvre. Fasting, it causes the breakdown of fat, resulting in the production of toxic substances that can have serious consequences on health, in addition to side effects - nausea, fatigue, falling blood pressure, etc.. "

5. "The grapefruit is" melt "fat. "
"No food has that power. Otherwise, everyone would eat grapefruit! "Said Julie DesGroseilliers. Grapefruit diets restrict caloric intake just drastically. Weight loss has nothing to do with the citrus itself. "And the return to old habits announced that the lost weight," says Catherine Lefebvre.

6. "Food" light "to help lose weight. "
While the products 'low fat' are usually lower in calories, but they sometimes contain more sugar than the original, which partially fills the difference. "And we are often likely to eat too much, just because they are light," warns Catherine Lefebvre.

7. "The carob is fewer calories than chocolate. "
That in itself is true: it contains less protein and fat than cocoa. But beware: "The products often contain carob of palm oil or coconut oil, rich in saturated fat," warns Catherine Lefebvre. In contrast, carob powder is rich in calcium and fiber, contains no caffeine and has a naturally sweeter than cocoa powder, which can reduce sugar in recipes.

8. "Eating before bedtime is fattening. "
"The timing of eating does not alter energy intake of food," says Catherine Lefebvre. "But in the evening, Julie DesGroseilliers nuance, we often eat food unattractive to a nutritional point of view: chips, cookies, chocolate, ice cream ..." This is where does this extra calories!

9. "Losing weight is simple: a short strict diet followed by a return to normal. "
"A strict diet puts the body in a state of" survival ", depriving him of the essential elements to function properly, says Catherine Lefebvre. He then intensified his function to store the energy provided by food, which may cause further weight gain after the return to a normal diet. "

10. "Eat less and move more, it's the same. "
Error! Regular physical activity accelerates the metabolic rate: even at rest, so they burn more calories than a sedentary person. "The best way to lose weight, said Julie DesGroseilliers is to combine healthy eating with physical activity. Physically active people also find it easier to maintain weight loss long term. "