4 myths and truths about weight loss

Find out which weight loss wisdom actually works and what's just a myth

By Jennifer Goldberg

The myth: You should feel hungry while losing weight - 4 myths and truths about weight loss

Web exclusive: September 2009

Average: 3.8 (24 votes)
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The myth: You should feel hungry while losing weight

The truth: Allowing yourself to become ravenous will likely cause you to overeat and make poor food choices, says Dr. Arya Sharma, chair for Cardiovascular Obesity Research and Management at the University of Alberta.

"People think that you need to be hungry to lose weight and that really backfires," says Jessica Begg, a registered dietitian based in Vancouver. When you restrict your calorie intake, your metabolism slows down in response to your hunger. Hence the much-talked-about yo-yo diet syndrome.

Rather than restricting your diet, change it up, Begg suggests. "The best way to lose weight is to add things into your diet rather than cutting things back."

Eating more fruits and vegetables at meals will help you offset higher-calorie foods in your diet and keep you feeling fuller longer.

 
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While eating every 3-4 hours is not a bad tip, I don't understand why it isn't stressed that it's more about your metabolism than anything (I know it's mentioned here; I just mean in general. Other articles always talk about the likelihood of hitting up McDonalds when you're starving). I've had to go 5+ hours without eating from time to time (thank you, work/school), and I never opted for take out or something unhealthy. It is better to eat something sensible, even if you have to wait a little longer or even have a bigger portion.
Submitted by Lisa on Sat, 2010-01-23 8:46pm.
This is so true. I'm eating "core" foods (Weight Watchers), I'm almost never hungry (if I am, its my fault) and I'm losing, slowly but surely. It hardly feels like a diet.
Submitted by lindavanandel on Tue, 2009-10-20 1:17pm.
Great article, short and sweet!
Submitted by Donald on Tue, 2009-09-29 11:37am.
 
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