There are so many self-proclaimed experts in the field of nutrition that it can be tough to know what’s real. The old food pyramid that the U.S. Department of Agriculture established has now been reassessed due to a confusing model that many people couldn’t put into practice. The new MyPlate model shows a serving of dairy next to a plate divided into quadrants, with each offering a percentage dedicated to vegetables, proteins, fruits, and grains.
Despite this recommended guide, there is an influx of other information, stemming from misleading and biased sources, from print ads to social media. While many untruths are out there, not all myths are generated by marketing campaigns to make money. Some people genuinely believe that certain foods are the main culprit when it comes to health issues.
There are several foods that are alternatively vilified and praised in the media. It can be hard to keep up with the danger warnings about egg yolks and red meat one day and then feel obligated to consume them the next. Scientists and non-experts alike are continually publishing new results from studies that prove or disprove a nutrition fact. One of the most influential game-changing movements regarding diet was based on the best-selling 1972 book, Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution. This cardiologist’s declaration that sugar, not fat, was the real enemy in the fight against obesity shocked the whole world and forced people to reevaluate their eating habits.
While many people have had success following his diet, the main challenges lie in maintaining weight loss and finding ways to find joy in a low-carb world. Many people find the diet too strict and withholding. Since then, there have been other versions of the low-carb concept, such as Keto, which tries to liven up snack choices with a processed treats line.
In general, learning how to manage your health comes from retiring old, bad habits and forming new, healthier ones. There is no magic solution. As much as people don’t like to hear it, the formula is still calories in – calories out = calories remaining. This should always be a negative number in order to lose weight. Once you have 3,500 negative calories, you will have lost a pound.