Myths About Dieting

1. If I drastically cut calories, I'll lose weight faster.
When you take your caloric intake down too low, you are actually sending your body into "starvation mode". Your body wants to maintain your weight when it "thinks" you are starving; therefore, your metabolism will actually slow down and you may not lose weight.
More: How Low Can You Go?

2. The stricter the diet, the better it will work.
The stricter a diet is -- completely eliminating entire food groups; eating just one food (e.g. cabbage soup) -- the less effective it will be in the end. You'll get tired of the allowed food and when you feel really deprived, you're likely to call it quits altogether.
More: Don't Deprive Yourself!

3. I should get rid of my favorite less-than-healthful foods.
By treating yourself to your old favorites now and again, you'll stay motivated and you'll be less likely to give in to a binge. Just make sure you get back on track after your treat. Moderation is the key to successful, long-term weight loss.
More: Banish All-or-Nothing Thinking

4. Eating late at night will cause me to gain weight.
All things considered, it doesn't really matter when you eat, only how many calories you eat and burn in a day. Whether you're eating in the morning or at midnight your body turns any extra calories into fat. In fact, eating a light snack -- like cheese and crackers -- before bed may help you sleep better.
More: Back to Basics

5. I shouldn't eat between meals.
On the contrary, eating a small, healthful snack between meals will help keep your blood sugar at an even keel and keep your metabolism going strong. You'll also avoid getting too hungry so you don't over-eat at your next meal.
More: Snacking Solutions

6. Fat is bad.
Everybody needs to include some fat in their diet. We need it; plus, it makes dishes more satisfying and palatable. Some fats are even good for you, like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found predominantly in fish and shellfish.
More: Fat & Satiety

7. Skipping meals will help me lose weight.
On the con