Many of our patients and clients will come to us with unusual beliefs about food. Some of their beliefs may be based on popular “myths” about food. Yet, therapists and other non-dietitian healthcare professionals may hold some of the very same food and diet beliefs that our clients do.

Take a look at the list below and see if you may hold some beliefs about food that are actually food myths, rather than facts.

1. Myth: The best weight loss diet is a low-carb diet.

2. Myth: Fasting and “de-tox diets” remove toxins from the body and improve health.

3. Myth: Dairy products cause weight gain (or red meat, for that matter).

Remember, a certain typeof food does not cause weight gain. rather, weight gain is a function of total calories consumed, a person’s energy expenditure, and metabolic rate.

4. Myth: One extra “fattening” snack will lead to immediate weight gain.

5. Myth: Eating after 8:00 PM results in weight gain.

6. Myth: Eating certain foods in combination can cause weight loss or weight gain.

7. Myth: Foods that contain fat are bad for you.

8. Myth: Fat-free foods will not cause weight gain.

9. Myth: Some foods have weight-loss properties in them.

Rumors in this regard have included grapefruit, celery, and cabbage, but there is no scientific evidence that supports these claims.

10. Myth: Eating a lot of fiber helps to prevent calories from being absorbed.

11. Myth: Sugar is an addictive substance.

More research is underway, but as far as we know now, in medical terms, sugar is not an addictive substance.

12. Myth: The longer I go without food each day, the less I will eat (Source: Reiff, D. W., and Lampson Reiff, K. K. (1997). Eating disorders: Nutrition therapy in the recovery process. Mercer Island, WA: Life Enterprises Publications.

You can find more food, diet, and exercise myths in my new book 100 Questions and Answers about Anorexia Nervosa. If you have a question or topic you would like to see addressed in this Blog, go to http://www.drshepp.com, or e-mail mail@drshepp.com, or send your question via Twitter to www.twitter.com/drshepp