5 Food Myths

1. A high protein diet is the best weight loss diet!Consuming too much protein, whether from foods, proteins supplements or powders can make you dehydrated. They also put a major load on your kidneys: your body can not store excess protein so it has to be broken down, the excess like everything else is stored as fat. Your kidneys need more water to eliminate the extra nitrogen from the body which inadvertently dehydrates you.

2. Carbohydrates are fattening!Carbohydrates are only 4 kcal/gm. Fats are 9 kcal/gm. That makes carbohydrates a low calorie source of energy. What you decide to put on your choice of carbohydrate makes it fattening. A baked potato is a low fat food until you add butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits- now it is a high calorie, high fat food. So limit your fats and fuel up on complex carbohydrate rich foods - they will fuel you to be more active!

3. Red meat is bad for heart health because it increases cholesterol.We need approximately 300 mg of dietary cholesterol each day. A small serving of lean, red meat can easily fit within that cholesterol limit and is preferable to the egg based vegetarian meals such as quiches and omelets that contain far more cholesterol. Small portions (3-5 oz) of lean meats such as spaghetti and lean meat sauce, stir fried sirloin strips with veggies, or thinly layered roast beef sandwich, provide not only protein, but also iron and zinc, two important minerals for optimal health and performance.

4. Skipping meals will help me lose weight.Often, skipping meals during the day will leave you feeling ravenous by the time you get home, and healthy food choices go right out the window! The best way to lose weight healthily is to keep up with your training program, eat nutritious, lower fat (less than 30% of total calories), complex carbohydrate meals during the day, pay attention to adequate post workout nutrition and keep hydrated throughout the day.

5. I should not eat at least two hours before I exercise.Can you exercise on an empty stomach? Some of us can and others can't. Individual preference is a key player in the food/exercise combo. If you are one of those frequent feeders that has to eat something right before you exercise, that's okay. Just follow these guidelines: choose something rich in complex carbohydrate, low in fat and protein, and preferably liquid if it is within the hour before exercising. Stick to your own tried and true favorites.