I just ran across an article entitled
10 Diet and Nutrition Myths Debunked. While most
of the information contained is true, the dietitian who wrote the article has made a few mistakes.
Sugar Causes Diabetes
The most common nutrition myth is probably that sugar causes diabetes. If you have diabetes, you do need to watch your sugar and carbohydrate intake,
with the help of your Registered Dietitian, to properly manage your blood sugar level. However, if you do not have diabetes, sugar intake will not
cause you to develop the disease. The main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are a diet high in calories, being overweight, and an inactive
lifestyle.
Yes, sugar can cause someone to develop type 2 diabetes. The sugar is responsible for causing overexposure of insulin which, in turn, is the cause
for insulin resistance. This resistance, also known as syndrome x, is a usually a precursor to diabetes. These high insulin levels are also what
make people gain so much weight. To take it further, being active will increase insulin sensitivity. So, this is really just an argument of cause
and effect.
Avoid carbohydrate to lose weight
The key message that many low-carb diets convey is that carbohydrates promote insulin production, which in turn results in weight gain. Therefore by
reducing carbohydrate intake, you can lose weight. Unfortunately, this is just another nutrition myth........
Many low-carb diets actually do not provide sufficient carbohydrates to your body for daily maintenance. Therefore your body will begin to burn stored
carbohydrates (glycogen) for energy. When your body starts burning glycogen, water is released...
The truth is that low-carb diets are also often calorie-restricted! Followers only eat an average of 1000 - 1400 calories daily, compared to an
average intake of 1800 - 2200 calories for most people. To lose one pound a week, you only need to eat 500 fewer calories per day in your normal diet.
Therefore, it doesn't matter if you eat a high- or low-carb diet, you will lose weight if you decrease your caloric intake to less than needed to
maintain your weight.
This is absurd. We're talking about a
low carbohydrate diet not a
no carbohydrate diet. One serving of carbohydrates in the morning
is enough to restore glycogen levels back to normal. Otherwise, the only time carbs, especially simple carbs, are needed is during and physical
activity.
As for the last part here, it just makes me laugh. To think that all calories are the same, whether they be from protein, fat, or carbs, is just flat
out ridiculous. Following this dietitians logic, by eating nothing but potatoes, cokes and Mcdonald's Value Meals, as long as I maintain a caloric
deficit, I can lose weight. This can't be further from the truth. Macronutrient content, nutrient timing and many other factors must be considered.
Not just calories at face value.
I'll go so far as to say that most overweight people consume less calories than is recommended and that they mainly eat 2 very large meals a day.
One at lunch and one close to bed time, skipping breakfast altogether.
It's one of the
biggest contributors to childhood obesity and adult obesity for that matter. 
We actually got to disect cats. The preservative smell was horrible but the experience was awesome.
) 
