Three Strict Diet Rules That You Can Break

Don't be confused!

If you follow a strict diet in order to maintain those curves, you definitely would not do anything to fall off the diet wagon completely. But if you're among the flexible dieters who deemed it good enough to “more or less” follow their weight loss plan, without letting slip-ups escalate into eating binges, then this blog is for you.

NSCA-certified conditioning coach Holly Mosier, author of Stress Less, Weigh Less (Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2011), offers these myth-busting insights and why they are are okay to break.

Don't Eat After 7:00 p.m.

There’s nothing magical about avoiding eating at night. The key to weight loss success isn’t when you eat; it’s taking a close look at what you eat and staying within your daily calorie allotment, says Mosier. By making you mindful of your dietary patterns and caloric intake, regardless of what time of day the food is consumed, is definitely okay.

Eat five to six small meals during the day. 

 

Although the reality is that having more opportunities to eat often results in overeating, resulting in weight gain instead of weight loss. Eating three regular-sized meals that include lean protein makes people feel more full than eating smaller, more frequent meals. The researchers also reported that eating three high protein meals also decreases late night eating and food cravings.

Stick to fat-free or low-fat foods. 

The American Heart Association recently reported that low-fat and fat-free foods can contribute to obesity, because these foods often contain as many or more calories than the full-fat versions, yet trick people into thinking that these are good choices for weight loss. Always check the nutrition facts on the label and avoid low-fat products that are loaded with sugar. Choose unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts, or oily fish.