Weight Loss FAQ : Dieting Frequently Asked Questions

Is there such a thing as empty calories?

Yes, there is such a thing as empty calories. These are the calories that are in foods that have absolutely no nutritional value what so ever. These empty calories give you nothing but excess weight as it racks up the amount of calories that you intake daily. These foods are such things as alcohol, drinks that are aerated and refined sugar. It is best to stay away from these types of foods and drinks when trying to lose weight.

Is fruit juice just as healthy as fresh fruit?

No, they are not. Fresh fruit is always a better choice when it comes to fruit. When you process the fruit to extract the juice from it, you take away the fiber, which is one of the things that makes fruit healthy. It helps to lower your cholesterol and get rid of constipation. Fresh fruit is also good for digestion and it helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer, keeping hunger pains at bay. If you are making your own fruit juice then you will not want to strain the pulp out as this is the part that contains the fiber. You should also go with a fruit that is naturally sweet so you will not be tempted to add sugar, which will just give you unwanted empty calories.

Do Fad diets really help you jump-start your weight loss?

That answer would be a huge NO! There is no circumstance that makes a Fad diet a good choice for anything, even if it is just to "jump start" your weight loss. These diets generally involve you having to take drastic measure in order to drop weight fast such as avoiding all foods and only eating or drinking things that have diuretic properties. While these diets do shed a hefty amount of pounds super fast, the weight is most likely water weight that will go right back on once you stop the diet.

Is there really such a thing as Invisible fat?

Yes, invisible fat is real, just as "empty calories" are. There is invisible fat in every food but the amount will vary from one food to the next. For instance, vegetables have a small amount of invisible fat whereas oilseeds and nuts contain high amounts of invisible fat. When you are trying to lose weight, it is important to remember that the amount of invisible fat does add to the total amount of fat you take in daily with the foods and beverages you consume. If you were to eat 100 grams of spinach, you would get 0.7 grams of invisible fat and if you were to eat 100 grams of peanuts, you would get 26 grams of invisible fat. Choose your foods carefully.

Is it best to avoid dairy products while dieting?

No, you should not cut out dairy from your diet if you are trying to lose weight. Dairy products are a great source of vitamins A and B and dairy is good for protein. It is better to switch to low fat alternatives when making choices for dairy products but do not cut dairy out of your diet all together. Stay away from the high fat content dairy products such as cream cheese, butter, and cheese.