There is a lot of conflicting advice about what works and what doesn't when it comes to losing weight.

Here are some myths that aren't true from Yahoo! Shine.

Myth 1: Potatoes and bread are fattening. In reality, it's just the opposite. Starchy vegetables and whole-grain bread are quality carbs needed to fuel every part of you, from your brain to your muscles. What gets you into trouble is how you eat them, smearing butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread or deep-frying potatoes can quadruple the number of calories.

Myth 2: Drinking a glass of water before a meal curbs appetite. While water tames appetite if it's incorporated into food, such as soup, or a thick drink, like V8 Vegetable Juice, just drinking water won't cut it. When water is bound to food, digestion is slower. It's easy to confuse hunger and thirst, so if you find yourself craving something, drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes.

Myth 3: The occasional burger and fries won't kill you. It depends on your definition of "occasional."If occasional means every Friday night, you may be pushing it. But if it means every few months, and you're fit, you'll be fine.

Myth 4:Women naturally gain weight after menopause. While you can blame a lot of things on hormones, in this case, slowing down physically is far more likely the cause. Numerous studies have found that older women who exercise regularly can maintain their figures.

Myth 5: Diet soda is worse than the real thing. Here's the reality, we all would be better off switching to water rather than drinking soda, diet or regular. Both types increase kidney and heart disease risk, plus they contain acids that erode tooth enamel, inviting cavities.