Diet Myths They Don’t Want You To Know: Part 2

PART 2:

Interested in more diet myths? Check out Diet Myths They Don’t Want You To Know: Part 2, below!

1.”Splenda is a diet-friendly sugar substitute”:
There’s a lot of debate over whether or not artificial sweeteners are healthy alternatives to sugar. When dieting, many people use packets and packets of splenda. Most people think because it contains zero calories, it won’t derail your health and weight loss goals.

There have been many studies that actually show that these artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, Equal and Sweet ‘n Low can induce weight gain. The reason is because they can trigger the body to store fat and crave carbs.

There are so many health risks connected to these ever-popular sugar substitutes, so I strongly recommend avoiding them altogether. The best choice when it comes to sugar alternatives is stevia.

Stevia is a zero-calorie, natural herb that will add that sweet boost to your food and drinks. Another acceptable sugar substitute is xylitol, which is a naturally occurring sugar in fruit and vegetables. Both have become widespread, and can be found in grocery and health food stores.

2. “It’s bad to eat after 7 pm”:
There’s a common myth that anything you eat after 7 pm will turn straight to fat. While I definitely do not recommend eating a highly concentrated meal close to bed time, I do not follow the 7pm cut off rule.

Everyone’s diet differs depending on the individual’s lifestyle. If you are the type of person who works late and becomes hungry after work, it might be best to have some green salad and a light dinner at 8pm, so you are satisfied through the night. I recommend eating dinner at least 3-4 hours before going to bed, so if you go to bed at 11 or midnight, eating at 8 pm is okay.

It’s not healthy to go to bed starving because you will just wake up feeling famished, and you might not make such great choices in the morning. Remember that morning is the time when our body detoxes itself.

The best way to eat is light to heavy, starting off the morning with a Glowing Green Smoothie, then incorporating more concentrated foods as the day progress. If you follow that pattern on a daily basis, your body will get used to its daily routine, and the late night urges will be more manageable.

3.” Caffeine is the best energy booster”:
Caffeine is typically the go-to substance most people turn to for a morning perk them up, or an afternoon boost. I advise staying away from caffeine in general. There is no better energy booster than a Glowing Green Smoothie, fresh greens, and it is important to stay hydrated.

I promise once you ween yourself off of your daily latte or afternoon iced black tea, you will realize the beauty of getting energy through natural foods. If you want to get more ideas of some energy boosting snacks, check out my previous blog post.

4. “You should never snack between meals”:
I do recommend minimizing snacking, but it doesn’t mean you can’t ever snack. Especially if you wake up early and have a long day, you may need a snack between lunch and dinner, especially if you want to work out after work.

Try choosing healthy snacks, like veggie sticks with salsa and dips, or if you need something more satiating try an almond milk and hemp protein shake, mid-late afternoon. Remember the importance of food pairing, which I stress in my book.

You want to eat your fruits on an empty stomach, and wait 3-4 hours in between eating different concentrated foods or fruits, or even exotic fruits! This is vital in order to make sure your digestion runs smoothly. Instead of worrying about when you should and shouldn’t eat, follow your urges.

When you are hungry, feed yourself, but make a wise and informed choice. Make smart pairing choices, and make sure you wait long enough in between the different types of foods you consume. Soon enough, you will know how to listen to your body and you will feel great when you make these smart choices.

45 Comments

Meredith on June 30, 2011 at 6:21 pm

Kimberly… THANK YOU for this! I’m 68 and have had the hardest time “getting over” all the misinformation on food and dieting over the years.
And I’m going to have a bedtime snack every night! Smiling…
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:51 am
  
  That’s great Meredith about getting over myths.
  
  Try not to eat right before you go to bed though, and only snack when absolutely necessary. :)
  Reply
  - Stacey on July 7, 2011 at 5:09 am
    
    Hi! You have changed the way I look at food forever! I can’t even look at food without thinking about how it is going to affect my digestion and mood/energy level. I’ve always eaten what I consider to be healthy, but struggled with low energy and fatigue. After reading your book, I saw where I could make some easy changes to bring myself even closer to great health!
    Simply by adding the Glowing Green Smoothie, and food combining, I have noticed a drastic change. My eyes sparkle, I feel revitalized. Thank-you so much Kimberly, for sharing your knowledge! :~)
    Reply
Ninu on June 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm

Thank you so much, Kim! Although I have not commented or contacted you, I have been diligently reading and following your advice from your book, Facebook, and Twitter.

I had a question about food pairing. If I happen to take a couple of bites of a heavy food and realize I don’t like it or want it, is it ok to follow that with a green smoothie or fruit? I know that we shouldn’t eat fruit except on an empty stomach, but it seems like a couple of bites may not be a big deal, but then, I don’t know the dynamics of digestion. Please let me know. I do this often after I take a bite or two of a really heavy and not very good food, I will really crave fruit immediately and get rid of the other food.

Thank you again for all you do! You have made it easy and attainable to follow a healthy lifestyle and be proud of it!

Ninu
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:53 am
  
  HI Ninu,
  Thanks and that’s wonderful! Ideally you wouldn’t mix any of the heavy food with the fruit, but that said, a bite or two is certainly less damaging than a whole meal. Try to really think out your food decisions so you can avoid that unnecessary bit or two, or eat it later after the fruit!
  xx Kimberly
  Reply
Mandy on June 30, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Kim,
I was wondering if there is a cookbook out there with recipes like yours, based on only natural foods.
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:53 am
  
  There are lots of veg cookbooks, where you can substitute some of the ingredients to suit your Beauty Detox!
  Reply
Maggie on June 30, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Hi Kimberly! I completely love your book and your blog. I do have two question though.
I have been doing the blossoming beauty phase and have tried to stop eating sugar. I really want to start drinking the Glowing Green smoothie with fruit. My question is are there any negative effects if I start drinking the GGS with fruit even though i haven’t abstained from sugar for a whole month? My other question is if I do the fruit test what are some adverse reactions i can experience other than gas or bloating you talked about in your book?

Thank you for all your help!!!
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:55 am
  
  HI Maggie, that’s great taking a break from sugar. You can add a bit of green apple and lemon to your GGS, but that’s about all for sugar.
  The digestive issues are the fastest way to tell if the fruit is negatively affecting you, and if you continue you can see what it does to your weight loss efforts and energy levels. KEEP IT UP!!!!
  xx Kimberly
  Reply
Arielle (Your Vegan Girlfriend) on June 30, 2011 at 8:41 pm

Thanks so much for these tips Kim! There is so much misinformation out there and so many get thin quick schemes it’s absolutely refreshing to see you advocate for true health and wellness and not just weight loss. Thank you!
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:55 am
  
  Great Arielle! Yes, being thin and not healthy is to me like a house made of straw. :)
  Reply
Cheryl on July 1, 2011 at 12:35 am

HELP!!!!!!! My p&e leaked during the 5 days. Can I still eat it or should I throw it away? Thanks soooo much! Cheryl
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:56 am
  
  Hi Cheryl…oops I’m getting to this late. What happened??
  Reply
Naarah on July 1, 2011 at 2:58 am

Hi Kimberly,

Thank you for all your tips! It’s so fascinating to see all of these truths being revealed about diet and nutrition. It’s really eye-opening, and I was wondering if you needed an intern. It would be an amazing experience!

Best,

Naarah
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Katie on July 1, 2011 at 4:52 am

Thanks, Kim! In terms of smart choices, I’ve been wondering how to combine salad dressings/sauces that call for tahini or a small amount of other nuts/seeds.

Do these fall into the same category as almond milk … meaning because they’re diluted they’re more neutral? Or should we treat them as we do other dense nuts/seeds and avoid till dinner/combine accordingly?

Thanks so much!
Katie
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 3:02 am
  
  HI Katie, you can use them as dressings in the day, esp. tahini as it is seed-based, rather than nut-based. Eat on a salad with lots of sprouts, and I would sprinkle some hemp seeds on the salad and a quarter or half an avocado. xx
  Reply
Margo on July 1, 2011 at 5:05 pm

I have to whole-heartedly agree that “there is no better energy booster than a Glowing Green Smoothie”.

Adding green smoothies every day has slowly decreased my cravings for caffeine in the morning. I used a drink a full 32 oz of french-pressed coffee before leaving at 8 am. Now I can do on 16 oz of regular coffee with my green smoothie. I hope I can keep decreasing it. :)

Margo
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shannonmarie on July 1, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Those are good tips. Thanks for sharing. I totally agree with them all. I need to show this post with my friends and family. I tell them these things all the time, but until Oprah or someone more influential than me says these things, they never listen.

It was so nice to see an e-newsletter from you in my inbox. I was wondering if I signed up right. I guess I did.

BTW, I thought of you the other day when I taped a demo of my n’ice cream banana split I’ve been making for years. It’s like your frozen banana soft serve, but I have a technique for whipping up 3 flavors in only 5 minutes with strawberry and pineapple toppings. I entered it in the Hot Raw Chef 5 in 5 contest. It would be an honor if you’d vote for me (voting is open July 2-15 on hotrawchef.com).

Thanks! Keep posting. Can’t wait to see more videos on your site. You’re much better in front of the camera than me.
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 3:03 am
  
  Hi there, that’s great! Keep on experimenting. I’ll try to get over to the site!
  Reply
Stephanie @ Aspiring on July 2, 2011 at 2:53 am

Hi, Kimberly!!
I just wanted to say I love your blog, and thank you so much for all the wonderful information you’re providing for people. It’s really helpful and I plan to incorporate more of your principals in my diet too :)
Thanks!
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- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 3:01 am
  
  Thanks Stephanie for sharing. That’s absolutely fantastic!!
  Reply
Nicole on July 2, 2011 at 3:50 am

Hi Kim,

Thanks for all the amazing info!

I was wondering what are your thoughts on rapadura sugar?

Thanks so much!
Nicole
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rachel on July 2, 2011 at 12:46 pm

hey kim! i’ve read your book and read your blog regularly. you are an inspiration to my journey in improving health everyday! i do have a problem. i used to have a lot of hair when i was much younger (in my teens) but now that i am in my mid 20s, i feel like i’m losing a lot of hair and its constantly getting thinner and thinner. i also lose a lot of hair in the shower. is this due to genetics and/or diet? what are some things i can do for better and increased hair growth?
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 3:01 am
  
  Hey Rachel, Have you seen my blogs Hair! and Hair! Part 2?
  Reply
Alice on July 2, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Hi Kimberly,

I was recommended your book by a friend and I have been totally inspired to revamp my diet!

I just had a few questions… First, for the no starches and protein rule, does that mean things like pita and hummus, or almond butter sandwiches are nit allowed?

Also I have a HUGE sweet tooth but not really for chocolate but more for fruity things like gummies, sour candies… Do you have any dessert recipes that are more tart rather than chocolate-y?

Thanks so much!
Alice
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 3:00 am
  
  HI Alice!
  Try the key lime pie bars. :)
  Pita and hummus are okay, as legumes contain starch and protein, but it is too heavy for an everyday food. Try the hummus w veggie sticks. And almond butter should be eaten w veggie sticks too!
  xx Kimberly
  Reply
Debora Azevedo on July 2, 2011 at 3:40 pm

Hello Kimberly, I have a hard time letting go of the melted cheese sandwiches … what do you think I could do to replace it gave me the same satisfaction … It is my greatest diculdade in relation to dairy products?
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- Marina on July 4, 2011 at 9:07 pm
  
  Hi Debora,
  
  Try Daiya cheese replacement – it is vegan, soy-free and melts wonderfully.
  
  https://www.daiyafoods.com/
  Reply
  - kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:59 am
    
    Good answer Marina! While it contains corn and some processed ingredients, it really is a good transition food and I use it in my clients’ dishes when they really want cheese!
    Reply
  - Debora Azevedo on July 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm
    
    I am Portuguese and I think my parents do not have this brand has cheese is lactose free.
    Thank you for your help:)
    Reply
Amanda on July 5, 2011 at 2:39 am

Hi Kimberly,

I have just gotten off soy milk after reading The Beauty Detox and I can’t wait to see/feel the effects. What do you recommend for infants (besides breast milk) and children. I grew up on homoginized cow’s milk because we were told the fats were necessary for developing children’s brains etc. What are your thought?

Thanks so much!
Amanda
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:58 am
  
  Hey Amanda,
  Great! Good fats are necessary for infants, and I know there are formulas out there that contain coconut and goat’s milk, which tend to digest easier. But do research and check with your pediatrician! Of course, I do recommend breast feeding as long as possible.
  xx Kimberly
  Reply
YKG on July 5, 2011 at 1:19 pm

Nice blog
Reply
CIOL on July 5, 2011 at 1:20 pm

Great post
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DB on July 5, 2011 at 6:41 pm

Hey Kimberly, thanks for the post. Wondering if it’s it ok to eat fruit 3 hrs after lunch, if fruit contained raw and cooked veggies, maybe some avocado?
Reply
- kimberlysnyder on July 6, 2011 at 2:56 am
  
  HI DB, yes that’s okay
  Reply
Alison on July 6, 2011 at 7:57 pm

Hi Kimberly,

I am almost done reading your book and I have learned a lot. I love it!

I was wondering about a couple of things… I enjoy drinking decaf iced tea throughout the day… is it ok to do so? I drink at least a liter of alkaline water as well. Is there any other type of water that you recommend?

I really enjoy your blog… thanks for sharing all of your knowledge with us. :)

Alison
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Faye on July 11, 2011 at 4:20 am

Hi Kimberly,

Teresa Palmer directed me to this site thru her tweet. I’ve gotta say that this post is definitely helpful and I just love your lil website already. Will keep visiting! Thanks heaps!

x
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Total Fitness Health Tips on October 25, 2011 at 10:57 pm

I agree! I get more irritated with the “don’t eat after 7pm”. What do they expect? People should just starve and go to bed. I know most experts advocate mean well. They probably mean not to eat heavy processed foods before bed. But, you know they should be specific. I actually sometimes eat right before bed, but usually a small snack to satisfy my hunger. Comfort is more important than torture.:p Oh and my favorite snack is dried fruit and nuts. Love them!
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- Kimberly Snyder on October 27, 2011 at 11:27 am
  
  I agree!! I do the same. My schedule is crazy too so I can’t always keep a perfect eating schedule. :)
  Reply
Stav on February 19, 2012 at 8:08 am

Hi I just wanted to know if I could still do your ggs smoothie even when I’m breastfeeding? And can I follow your detox diet? Thanks.
Stav
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Sandy on June 4, 2012 at 10:51 am

Hi Kim,

I understand the FDA has not approved Stevia as a food additive. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!
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- ED on January 11, 2013 at 1:23 pm
  
  While the FDA may not approve of healthy alternatives to multi-million crops, such as sugar, they DO approve of a certain amount of pesticides and even rat feces in your food. So maybe that fact alone will allow you to answer this question for yourself :)
  Reply
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