The truth about five dieting myths

Grapefruit dissolves fat

Sadly scientists have yet to discover a miracle food or supplement that will burn fat. Grapefruit is, however, extremely low in calories – half a grapefruit contains just 24 calories, which explains why it’s so often recommended in diet plans as a healthy breakfast idea.

Calories eaten late at night are more fattening than those eaten during the day

Wrong. It’s simply that we’re more susceptible to over-eating at night. It’s what you eat and how much you eat that’s important, not when.

Gaining weight is inevitable as you get older

Wrong. Love handles and double chins don’t have to be part and parcel of growing older. A much more likely explanation for middle-age spread is that our physical activity decreases rapidly with age.

Low-fat foods are the key to losing weight

Wrong. Eating one thick and creamy yogurt that you really enjoy is better than eating three low-fat yogurts that leave you feeling unsatisfied. Reduced fat doesn’t mean low fat or low calorie – products are often still fundamentally high in fat and contain plenty of calories. Diets that include moderate amounts of fat (between 30-35 per cent of calories from fat) are more effective at helping people to lose weight than very low-fat diets.

Skipping meals is a good way to cut calories

Wrong. Skipping meals can interfere with appetite regulation, leading to over-eating or bingeing. People who lose weight after dieting and skipping meals are more likely to regain weight than those who eat regularly.

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