Common weight loss myths you should ignore

There is no shortage of weight loss advice these days, especially on the internet.

With so much information floating around, how do you know what's true?

Myths about what works and what doesn't can easily mislead you, which will leave you feeling frustrated for long periods of time without results if your goal is weight loss.

These are the most common weight loss myths you should ignore.

Carbohydrates make you fat

The idea that you need to drastically cut carbs to lose weight is common, but it's not true. Not all carbohydrates are inherently fat. In fact, some research shows that carbohydrates are one of the most satisfying foods – meaning we feel more satisfied at the end of a meal when we include some of them.

You should not eat after 19:00

The idea that eating after 19pm automatically leads to weight gain is another common myth. In reality, weight gain is determined by your total calorie intake and expenditure during the day, not by when you eat.

However, for many people, eating later in the evening is often when we are most tired, hungry and stressed. While late night eating isn't inherently unhealthy, it can lead to less healthy choices depending on your state of mind. Meal planning and healthy food preparation can help a lot here.

You need more discipline to lose weight

Contrary to popular belief, losing weight is not all about willpower. Many factors – including genetics, hormones and brain chemistry – can make losing weight difficult.

Processed food is always unhealthy

Many people believe that processed foods are full of unhealthy ingredients, but this is not always the case. In fact, frozen fruits and vegetables are often frozen at their peak of ripeness, preserving their nutritional content.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most Americans don't consume enough produce, and frozen options offer an easy and economical way to bridge that gap.