The 3 Biggest Diet Myths keeping Australians Fat

I believe one of the leading causes of obesity in 60% of Australian adults is that they take nutrition advice from face book, gossip magazines and TV shows that are simply inaccurate and often cause more harm then good.

Myth 1: Eating fat makes you fat

Subcutaneous fat is the soft pudgy stuff that is stored under our skin that we all dislike and wish to get rid of, therefore it would seem logical that eating fat in our diets would give us more of this stored fat. This however, is far from the truth, and it depends entirely on the context. For example, diets that are high in fat as well as carbohydrates have been shown to increase stored body fat, but this isn’t entirely the fault of the fat. A diet that is high in fat but low in carbs has been demonstrated as the most effective means of achieving weight loss when compared to simply low-fat diets, even when total calories are restricted.

Myth 2: High protein diets increase strain on the kidneys

Although it is true that people with pre-existing kidney disease should cut back on protein, this is absolutely not true for the general healthy population. Latest research shows no detrimental effect on health from high protein diets; in fact, a higher protein intake has been shown to lower blood pressure and helps fight type 2 diabetes that are coincidentally two of the main risk factors for kidney failure. Higher protein diets have also been attributed to reducing appetite and thus supporting weight loss.

Myth 3: All calories are created equal

This popular Myth suggests that the body treats all calories consumed equally; regardless of weather they come from carbs, protein or fat, which is 100% false. The different macronutrients that make up foods each go through different metabolic pathways and have varying effects on the body’s ability to burn fat for energy, the production of hormones and the regulation of appetite. For example, several studies have shown that a diet that is high in protein when compared to a lower protein and higher carbohydrate diet shows an increased metabolic rate by up to 100 calories per day and can significantly reduce appetite. It is therefore more important to track your macronutrients rather than your total calories consumed if you wish to be successful in achieving your desired health and fitness goals.