ARKANSAS (KTHV) - Google "diet" - and so much comes up, it is often overwhelming and often false.
Summer is nearly upon us and we all want to look and feel our best. Exercise is key, but doctors and dietitians agree that a good diet is the best foundation.
But what does that mean?
We invited Registered Dietitian Joanna Gregg to help us separate fact from fiction. She manages Fuel Meal and nutrition services for all of the Little Rock athletic clubs.
Here are her answers to a few common dieting questions and myths:
1. "Strict diets are the only way to lose weight"
"Strict diets do work but there's actually research that shows that minimizing the feelings of deprivation while dieting actually leads to a higher success rate. So, allowing yourself built into your meal plan maybe a treat everyday or a glass of wine here and there is actually a better key to success."
2. "Eating lots of protein will automatically lead to muscle gain."
"The thing to remember with protein is for every gram of protein there's four calories. So if you're eating an excess amount of protein everyday, you're eating excess calories everyday. And Although protein's very necessary in our diet for muscle repair and retention, it's also readily converted to fat if we're eating too much of it.
3. "I am eating healthy and working out but my weight hasn't changed. Why is this?"
"A lot of times when people start dieting they start exercising more. And whenever you exercise more your lean body mass is going to up at the same time your body fat percentage is going to be going down. So at some point the scale is going to intercept and it isn't going to be showing all the gains that you're making in the gym."
"The number on the scale is not really the most important number. Take progress photos, or body composition, or body circumference [measurements]."
4. "Eggs are unhealthy."
"Eggs have gotten a bad reputation for years. Really that's because they have a higher level of cholesterol and there's some saturated fats in there. But you have to remember that eggs also have a lot of good qualities. They have vitamins and minerals. They have good fats for us. And they're actually one of the cheapest form of a complete protein."
"So, for the general population, eggs in moderation are a good thing."
5. "I gained 4 pounds overnight!"
"So many things go into that number on the scale - water retention, haven't used the bathroom, when was the last time you ate, what did you eat last - all those things kinda play into that number on the scale.
6. "The ketogenic diet/intermittent fasting is the best way to lose fat."
"Any of these diets are popular because, obviously, people are losing weight on them. Now, the reason people are losing weight on these diets is because the end goal is the same - you have to be in a calorie deficit. Science says that in order to lose weight you have to be at a calorie deficit...So that's basically why all these diets become popular.
What we always recommend is just balance, healthy, staying active. You can eat any of these foods in your diet you just have to eat them in the right amount and stay active.
If you have a question or concern or need any bit of information verified, email us verify@thv11.com.