Each day, we are flooded with a new set of rules about what, when and how we should be eating.
And while much of the advice is backed with evidence, the are many other myths that simply aren’t true.
Australian nutritionist and health coach, Lee Holmes, recently spoke to FEMAIL about these myths and revealed why restrictions need to be lifted.
‘We live in a world where everyone is obsessed with labels. We need to be gluten-free, paleo, vegan, dairy-free, sugar-free, raw and super healthy,’ Lee said.
‘While I understand that all of these different diets have their benefits, they seem to be missing an important aspect. What about just enjoying life?’
Australian nutritionist and health coach, Lee Holmes, recently spoke to FEMAIL about these myths and revealed why restrictions need to be lifted
MYTH: YOU NEED TO CUT CARBS TO LOSE WEIGHT
While lashings of pasta and excessive amounts of white bread won’t do you much good, carbohydrates are not the enemy.
In fact, carbs can actually help you prevent weight gain.
‘Often when people are trying to lose weight, they go full-steam ahead and totally cut out one of the three important macronutrients; carbohydrates,’ Lee said.
‘By cutting out carbohydrates, such as in the ketogenic diet, we lose the benefits of many important nutrients that can support our gut-health and immune system.
‘Carbohydrates are full of fibre and both prebiotics and probiotics to help the functioning of our gut. If you eat unrefined carbohydrates, like fruit, starchy vegetables and some grains like oats, you don’t need to fear weight gain!
‘In fact, the fibre in these foods actually help move things along in our bodies so you won’t gain weight.’
While lashings of pasta and excessive amounts of white bread won’t do you much good, carbohydrates are not the enemy
‘In fact, the fibre in these foods actually help move things along in our bodies so you won’t gain weight,’ Lee said
MYTH: DON’T EAT AFTER 7PM OR YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT
This, Lee says, is not the case.
‘I’ve heard people babble on about how they lost X-X-number of kilograms when they stopped eating at night and how amazing they feel,’ the Supercharged Food founder said.
‘I think we need to place emphasis on what they stopped eating, rather than when. After a long day, we tend to reach for the ice-cream tub or if you’re like me, the peanut butter jar, and obviously, eating spoonfuls of either isn’t going to be good for us.
‘But, if you’re hungry after dinner time, it’s okay to eat. Just make sure to grab something on the healthier side and not take down the whole-snack cupboard!’
‘But, if you’re hungry after dinner time, it’s okay to eat. Just make sure to grab something on the healthier side and not take down the whole-snack cupboard! Lee said
MYTH: FRUIT JUICE IS BAD FOR YOU
While it’s true many big name fruit juices are loaded with sugar, freshly squeezed juice is perfectly fine.
‘When did orange juice become the devil? Food that comes from REAL sources, like fruit and vegetables shouldn’t be feared,’ Lee said.
‘Whilst I don’t recommend throwing back litres of juice a day, it’s much better to enjoy a glass of juice now and then than a carbonated beverage full of sugar.
‘Fruit juice doesn’t contain the fibre of the fruit it comes from, so it’s better to eat the whole fruit but it still contains the benefits of vitamins and minerals that our bodies thrive off.’
‘Whilst I don’t recommend throwing back litres of juice a day, it’s much better to enjoy a glass of juice now and then than a carbonated beverage full of sugar,’ Lee said
MYTH: YOU SHOULD CUT SUGAR FROM YOUR DIET
Sugar is by far one of the most controversial and misunderstood topics when it comes to health.
‘Let’s talk about sugar. By cutting out sugar, you’re not only cutting out cakes and sweets, you’re also cutting out any and all processed foods, fruit and even some vegetables,’ Lee said.
‘Who wants to live a life without sweet potatoes and bananas?
‘While yes, it’s important to watch your sugar intake and reduce your consumption of processed foods, I don’t think it’s good for us to not eat sugar at all. Sometimes all we feel like is a chocolate bar and that’s okay! Moderation is key to a healthy diet.’
‘I don’t think it’s good for us to not eat sugar at all. Sometimes all we feel like is a chocolate bar and that’s okay! Moderation is key to a healthy diet,’ Lee said
‘By cutting out sugar, you’re not only cutting out cakes and sweets, you’re also cutting out any and all processed foods, fruit and even some vegetables,’ Lee said
MYTH: YOU SHOULD DIET TO LOSE WEIGHT
‘Does going on a diet really make you lose weight? In my opinion, I wish the word diet never existed,’ Lee said.
‘When we become so consumed and obsessed with following such a strict diet, it can compromise our mental health as well as our social life.
Quick fixes don’t work. Just because something says it will help you lose a certain number of kilograms in a week, it doesn’t mean you should.
‘Instead of following a restricted diet, change the way you think about food. Be mindful of what you’re eating but remember to not go overboard!
‘It’s much healthier for us to eat the chocolate bar and enjoy it than feel guilty about eating the chocolate bar! Plus lets refocus on adding the good stuff in not loads of restrictions that end up turning you into an unwelcome Lola Granola at a dinner party.’
‘Does going on a diet really make you lose weight? In my opinion, I wish the word diet never existed,’ Lee said