weight loss myths about moderation

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Myth No. 1: "Everything in moderation" is the best strategy.

The Truth: It could push your weight in the wrong direction. The greater the variety of foods people ate, the more weight they gained over the course of five years, according to a recent study in PLOS ONE. The less diversity in the diet, the fewer pounds packed on. "Its counterintuitive to what you hear all the time, but it makes sense given that a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy offers less variety than the highly processed, high-fat and high-sugar Western diet that we're used to," says Kelly Pritchett, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Keep This in Mind Too: It's not that you can never stray from your go-to roster of healthy foods. But if you're going to mix things up while you're out to dinner, for example, take a close look at the ingredients and cooking method to make sure the dish doesn't stray too far from your overall eating plan, says Joy Dubost, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.