Theory: Switching to a prescriptive plan temporarily is the smartest way to drop pounds.
Reality: Short-term, you do lose weight on any plan that results in your eating fewer calories. But temporary changes don't lead to permanent losses.
Myth No. 7: Eating Protein and Carbs at Different Meals Will Help You Lose Weight
Theory: Protein and carbohydrates require different enzymes for digestion; if you eat the two separately, you improve digestion and further weight loss.
Reality: Your digestive tract can handle a variety of food groups at the same time. There is no proof that eating protein and carbohydrates separately aids digestion or weight loss, says nutritionist Christopher Gardner.
Myth No. 8: To Lose Weight, You Need to Cut Calories Drastically
Theory: Eat much less; weigh much less.
Reality: Sure, if you subsist on 1,200 calories a day, you'll take off weight, but it won't be for long.
Myth No. 9: Diet Foods Help You Diet
Theory: Low-fat, low-carb, and artificially sweetened packaged foods make losing weight painless.
Reality: Low-fat and low-carb don't always mean low-cal, and if you're trying to lose weight, stocking up on these treats could undermine your efforts.
Myth No. 10: Eating Fat Makes You Fat
Theory: Fat has nine calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein have only four per gram, so to lose weight you have to avoid fat.
Reality: Fat is not the enemy. Although fat-laden products can be full of calories, a modest amount of fat may help you feel full (so you eat less overall) and make healthy foods, like vegetables, taste better (so you may eat more of them). Fat also helps with the absorption of certain vitamins and phytonutrients, which are compounds in plants that are thought to promote health.
article courtesy of: http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/weight-loss/busting-10-diet-myths-10000001700385/index.html
