Weight watchers desperate to shed a few extra kilos can often fall victim to quick fixes and habits which seem appealing on paper.
But dietitians and food experts have warned some diet ‘tricks’ could be having the reverse effect and are making millions of people around the world fat.
According to Australian expert Dr Zac Turner, common dieting fads such as skipping meals, an excess of protein and avoiding gluten are surprisingly unhelpful.
Australian food expert Dr Zac Turner has warned some of the most popular ‘quick fixes’ for diets could be making you tip the scales
Common dieting fads such as skipping meals, an excess of protein and avoiding gluten are surprisingly unhelpful
NEVER SKIP A MEAL
Skipping a meal in the hope you can just avoid the extra calories is actually doing the opposite to your body, Dr Zac claims on his healthy living blog.
When your body goes into ‘starvation mode’, metabolism slows to a crawl and looks for alternative sources of energy – which can often mean breaking down calorie-burning muscle.
Instead of skipping one meal during the day and pigging out on the other two, Dr Zac advises to eat three healthy and substantial meals per day.
One popular mistake weight watchers make is skipping meals – but it only slows your metabolism and more prone to overeating later on
Instead of skipping one meal and pigging out on the other two, Dr Zac advises to eat three healthy and substantial meals per day
When your body goes into ‘starvation mode’, metabolism slows to a crawl and looks for alternative sources of energy – which can often mean breaking down calorie-burning muscle
DON’T OVERDO THE PROTEIN
Many inexperienced dieters make the mistake of overloading on protein instead of balancing meat with grains and vegetables.
Eating too much protein-heavy foods such as eggs, chicken breast and milk can lead to bloating and constipation, Dr Zac warns.
Another protein-laden eating habits includes diet shakes and snack bars – which experts advise to keep to a minimum.
Balancing out lighter foods with protein is the key to maintaining a healthy diet and speeding up metabolism.
Dr Zac also warns people often overload on to much protein – including meat, eggs and dairy
Balancing out lighter foods with protein is the key to maintaining a healthy diet and speeding up metabolism
CARBS ARE NOT A DIRTY WORD
Carbohydrates may sound like the devil’s temptation while following a strict diet, but it is easy to forget that they are your body’s preferred energy source.
A healthy amount of carbs help to process nutrients and maintain good gut health, Dr Zac writes on his blog.
Those trying not to tip the scales should avoid indulging in too much white bread, but a balanced amount can do the trick.
The good news is carbohydrate-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and whole-grains are the perfect additions to a healthy diet and should not be avoided.
Carbohydrates such as bread may sound like the devil’s temptation while following a strict diet, but it is easy to forget that they are your body’s preferred energy source
Carbohydrate-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and whole-grains are the perfect additions to a healthy diet and should not be avoided
STOP AVOIDING GLUTEN LIKE THE PLAGUE
Much like carbs, many uninformed weight watchers are led to believe gluten should be treated like the enemy.
But by cutting wheat entirely out of your diet, Dr Zac says it may cause you to miss out on the benefits of a balanced diet that such as high quality wheat, including wholegrain.
Those who believe they are allergic to gluten are advised to seek an immunologist to work out what exactly is causes the allergies – instead of completely ignoring an entire category of nutrition.
Cutting out gluten entirely may cause people to miss out on important nutrients
Those who believe they are allergic to gluten are advised to seek an immunologist to work out what exactly is causes the allergies – instead of completely ignoring an entire category of nutrition
DON’T TREAT GOOD BEHAVIOUR WITH BOOZE
Lasty, Dr Zac warns strict dieters might be tempted to reward a hard day’s fasting with a glass of wine or two.
But rewarding yourself with an alcoholic beverage isn’t the best idea as booze is packed with calories and can slow your metabolism.
Instead of having a drink on the weekend, experts suggest trying other ways to let your hair down such as yoga or going for a swim.
Most people tend to reward good eating habits with a glass of alcohol – but Dr Zac warns against such habits
Instead of indulging in alcohol, Dr Zac suggests rewarding yourself with activities such as yoga