Todd Berner MD on Myths About Calories and Eating

Diet and exercise myths are pieces of advice that gain popularity without any supporting evidence. Many widely held views about weight reduction are falsehoods, while others are just partially accurate.

You gain weight if you skip breakfast

Eating a nutritious breakfast will better control your appetite throughout the day and help you resist the need for harmful snacks. There is no evidence from research in the scientific community that missing breakfast causes weight gain. If you are not initially hungry, pay attention to your body. As soon as you’re hungry, help yourself to a nutritious dish like oatmeal with fresh berries.

Reduce your carb intake to lose weight

There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates, such as those in cookies and candies, are deficient in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Limiting these treats is a good strategy for eating better and reducing weight. Complex carbohydrate foods like whole-wheat bread, legumes, and fruit are packed with healthy nutrients. Limit simple carbohydrates while continuing to provide complex ones.

You will put on weight if you eat at night

Late-night eaters do tend to gain weight. Late-night consumers often choose high-calorie snacks may be one explanation. Some individuals who nibble after supper have trouble falling asleep, which may cause harmful desires the following day. After dinner, if you’re still hungry, stick to healthy snacks like low-fat yogurt or baby carrots.

You may consume as much as you want if the label reads “no-fat” or “low-fat”

To compensate for the lack of fat, many low-fat or no-fat meals are fortified with additional sugar, starch, or salt. These foods often contain the same calories as the standard version, if not more. Look at the nutrition label to determine how many calories are in a serving. Check the serving size as well.

It is impossible to be overweight and healthy

Some overweight individuals have normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Most people’s risk of diabetes and heart disease is increased by being overweight. Your chance of contracting an illness rises the longer you remain overweight. Even though you might be plump and healthy, gaining weight raises your risk for future health issues. However, healthy food and regular exercise benefit everyone, regardless of weight.

You can lose weight rapidly by fasting

It is not good if you fast and then have a large lunch to make up for all the calories you missed earlier. People who engage in fasting will lose more muscle than fat compared to those who lose weight by consuming fewer calories. Look for empty calories in your diet that you can eliminate, such as refined carbohydrates and sugary beverages. Avoid skipping meals entirely, particularly if you’re not under a doctor’s care.

About Todd Berner MD

Todd Berner is a medical affairs professional specializing in immunology and rare diseases. He is dedicated to understanding the patient's perspective and has been actively working to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. Todd has a background in clinician-led quality improvement initiatives in women's health and has spent a decade leading health outcome research initiatives at various levels.

Todd Berner MD supervises all medical affairs activities as Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs, including clinical trial design and execution, safety studies, and giving medical advice to cross-functional international teams. Todd has contributed to data generation through various studies, including pragmatic, observational, comparative effectiveness, big data, and humanistic studies. He has also authored several publications and scientific presentations on the costs and consequences of pharmacy, medical interventions, and health policies.

Todd has held various leadership positions throughout his career, including Executive Medical Director of Urology at Astellas, where he led the Urology Medical Affairs team and was responsible for clinical trials, HEOR, and field-based MSL teams. He has also chaired several working groups as a grant reviewer and been a journal reviewer for Value in Health and JMCP. Todd is proud of co-chairing ISPOR Patient Centered SIG, serving as a PCORI Grant Reviewer, being a Senior Fellow at the School of Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University, and chairing the PQA Palliative Care Pain Management Working Group.

This article was originally published at toddberner.com.