four big fat diet myths

From AM New York–May 20, 2009

By Perrie Samotin

 

Slimming down is just one of those things that prompts people to believe what they hear – regardless of whether it works.

We spoke with Camille Chaterjee, health editor at Redbook, to get the skinny on which diet myths it’s time to ditch.

The myth:  Fresh fruits and veggies are more nutritious than frozen or canned.

The Reality:  “Lots of fruits are flash- frozen off the vine, which helps them retain nutrients, ” said Camill Chatterjee, who added that fresh fruit-after it’s picked-often sits in a box before it hits shelves, losing some of its nutritional value.  Some canned produce, such as tomatoes and carrots, is actually more nutritious than fresh – this is because our bodies absorb antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene better when the foods have been cooked, said Chatterjee.

The myth:  You gain more weight in winter.

The reality:  “The idea that our bodies pack on fat in winter sounds like common sense,” said Chatterjee.   But the truth is, our metabolism actually speeds up to keep us warm in colder temperatures, which means we actually burn more calories, according to Chatterjee.  If we do pack on some pounds, it’s merely due to our behavior, not a natural reaction.  Even though it’s difficult, Chatterjee suggest pushing yourself in the winter to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.

 

The myth:  Weight gain is inevitable as women get older.

The reality:  This myth has a grain of truth to it, said Chatterjee, because belly fat does begin to creep on as we age, but it’s something that can be avoided.  It’s important for women to understand that’s not really weight that we’ve gained, but weight  that’s shifted due to hormone changes, childbrirth or weakening bones.  The good news, Chatterjee said is that incorporating strength training can help us avoid a growing ab area.  The sooner you start incorporating weights  with push-ups and sit- ups into your workouts, the easier it’ll be to keep your stomach trim.

The myth:  The more you work out,  the better.

The reality:  As with all things in life, overdoing exercise can be harmful to your body.  According to Chatterjee, working out seven days a week can weaken our immune system, strain our joints and tire us out.  That’s why it’s important, she said to take at least one day off a week and vary your workout routine to prevent burnout.  Another reason why it pays to take a break:  if you’re exercising with improper form due to fatigue, you’ll actually burn fewer calories than if you were exercising correctly, said Chatterjee.