June 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 52 LIFESTYLE | wellbeing Myth: Starve to Be Slim Hunger can lead to increased appetite and spike cravings for fatty and sugary foods, causing binge eating and a likely end to the diet. Also, being in a state of constant hunger will negatively affect your metabolism, as your body will be sending signals to hold onto the fat. Remy says: “Skipping meals [especially breakfast] will make you overeat at the next meal and binge on unhealthy snacks. Eating small meals at regular intervals with healthy nibbles in between is more likely to help you control hunger and lose weight.” WINNING THE WEIGHT WAR2 In a continuation of this two-part feature on successfully reaching and maintaining an ideal number on the weighing scale, Behnaz Sanjana shares some valuable diet secrets. You’re meeting your exercise goals each week and feeling wonderful with that rush of happy endorphins. But the pudge won’t budge. Could it be your secret rebound relationship with the up-sized vanilla latte (Extra cream? Yes please!) after yet another unsustainable diet plan? Remy Danaf, dietician at Health Watchers Bahrain, busts some popular myths for us. “As standard diet recommendations don’t work for everyone, the first step in a weight loss journey should be to check in with the experts [dietitians or doctors] who can evaluate your current habits and the reasons for weight gain, in order to help you effectively achieve real and lasting weight loss,” says Remy. “They can measure parameters against which to compare future progress, and help you set realistic goals.” Myth: Cancel Carbs and Gluten Remy warns about diet trends and misconceptions. She says: “Cutting out an entire food group from your diet without medical reasons is unnecessary and may actually be harmful because you are missing out on nutrients. And eventually you’re going to get bored and crave the food you’re avoiding. “A gluten-free diet doesn’t help weight loss. It is intended only for people who have problems digesting gluten or celiac disease. Gluten-free does not mean calorie-free – food manufacturers often add extra salt, sugar and fat to compensate in the flavour of such foods.” Good carbs are important for maintaining optimum health, maintaining muscle mass and fuelling exercise and their omission can have serious health consequences. “Cutting carbs entirely from ,the diet is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make. They are essential for our brains and central nervous system and must be 50 per cent of our total calorie intake. Replace refined carbs such as white bread and rice with whole grain bread, oatmeal and brown rice that are high in fibre and B vitamins,” says Remy. A balanced diet that is portion-controlled is always more effective for weight loss than compulsive, unnecessary elimination of certain food groups.
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