Diet myths and misconceptions

As much as we are all now concerned about eating a healthy diet, not becoming overweight and losing weight, we should remember that there are lots of myths and misconceptions about diets. 

“When it comes to diets and losing weight, there is a lot of information out there and many are myths or partly true,” Neema Shosho, National Nutrition Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme says.  

Neema says a diet myth is an advice obtained from various sources such as the internet, through conversation etc that becomes popular without enough evidence to back it up.  Here are some of the popular myths;

Being overweight and obesity is genetical

The nutritionist says it’s common to hear phrases like ‘Huu unenewa ukoo’ and ‘Kwetu wote wanene’ as a justification for being overweight or obese.  Scientists have been working hard to identify genes that have the potential to make one overweight and obese.

“Although there is evidence that there might be a genetic link but it happens to a very small number of people. The majority of us gain weight because of unhealthy lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diets, too much alcohol consumption and lack of exercise,” says Neema. 

She says unhealthy lifestyle is what we inherit from our parents and we pass it on from one generation to another and no wonder in families where many of them are obese, even their pets are also fat.

Cut all carbs to lose weight

Many people are on starvation plans with assumptions that consumptions of carbohydrates will result to weight gain.

“I have seen people struggling and sticking to just consuming vegetables and big portions of protein and eliminating carbs. We all miss very important information that consumption of protein, fat and carbs in big portions will all contribute to weight gain.”

We also don’t know that complex carbs found in ugali dona, mtama, beans and fruits have lots of vitamins, minerals and fibre good for your health.

Skip meals to lose weight

“This is a very popular myth and I have witnessed lots of people practising it. It is now common to hear people saying I skip lunch or dinner and eat only one meal or two.”

This again Neema says is a No No. For our bodies to function well we need all the essential nutrients in the right portions and at the right time.

“ It is also advised to have all the meals from breakfast to dinner but make sure that you have made a right choice and right portions.” She says people can even choose to snack in between meals but your snacks should also be healthy. A cup of milk, yogurt, fruits, nuts just to mention a few can make a good snack.

Exercise alone to lose weight 

Neema advises that we shouldn’t forget that food/diet plays a major role when it comes to losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. In other words, exercise alone is not enough.