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.
