Cooking on a weeknight is a rush-rush affair. And most often than not the evening meal turns out to be either a diet friendly bland composition or the tasty unhealthy version. Therefore, here we are discussing the myths surrounding healthy dinner ideas for weight loss that can equip you with right perceptions about food.
Well, there are many recipes available online for preparing for soups, salads, whole grains… the list is endless. But equipped with the right perceptions about food, one can choose the ideal formula for holistic dinners. So you can plan for a healthy dinner which is beneficial for weight loss as well. The supper will turn out to be light, nutritious and ideal for losing that extra flab while being yummy, quick to cook and wholesome at the same time.
Misconceptions About Healthy Ways Of Eating
- Almond milk is superior
It is a wrong perception that almond milk is better than low-fat or soy milk. The reality is that it does not have any protein and the vitamins added during the production process are difficult for the body to absorb. Whereas, soy milk is not only a good source of protein but also has some natural micro-nutrients.
- Fat is not good
Not all fats are harmful. Therefore, check for the type, nutritional value and quantity. Foods such as nuts, avocados and olive oil are have monounsaturated fats which is good for the heart and helps lower cholesterol. Moreover, these fats help in weight loss and make for a healthy dinner. - Cereal is a healthy
Check the constituents- fat, salt and sugar! The cereals may be fortified with vitamins and minerals, but at the end of the day they have high sugar levels. Therefore, does not help with fat reduction. On the other hand, wholegrain bread, sugar free muesli, oats, and eggs are a better choice.
- Low fat foods are appropriate
Read the ingredients on the label before you buy those snacks and ready-meals are marketed as low fat. In other words, the ones loaded with additives, salt, and sugar are unhealthy. - Natural is health-giving
What was said for low fat applies to natural or organic items as well. Organic food can still be loaded with sugar, salt, and saturated fats. - Potatoes are a great vegetable source
Potatoes are rich in vitamin B, potassium and fiber but have a lot of carbohydrate and therefore, not a healthy dinner idea. Hence, it’s better to substitute it with sweet potato. - Green tea alone is sufficient
Weight Loss with Green Tea | Pixabay.com
This green beverage has Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and antioxidants which can help reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, can lower risk of cancer, help lose weight, fight bacterial infections and boost liver health. It can increase metabolic rate and consequently help in weight loss only when a certain amount is consumed daily. Green tea accompanied with regular exercise and nutritious food for weight loss can contribute to great health as well.
Weight Loss with Green Tea | Pixabay.com
- Super Foods are good
Some foods might be better for health than others, but there’s no official definition of “super food”. Also, dietitians and nutritionists rarely use the term. - Only fresh fruits count
There’s plenty of choice when choosing fruits. When it comes to healthy dinner ideas, fresh fruit is great, but dried fruit, frozen variety, tinned fruit and juice also count.
- Replace meals with juice
Juice gives a feeling of fullness because it doesn’t contain any fiber and is therefore referred to as “empty calories”. You may get little amounts of protein and vitamins from the juice; but a spread comprising of vegetables, whole grains and fruits is the best way to get nutrients. So, juice that replaces a meal results in low energy, hunger pangs and mood swings. - Fruit-flavored food contains real fruit
This is totally untrue. Flavored does not suggest that there is a substantial amount of real fruit in it. A fruit flavored drink for instance might just contain some artificial flavoring agents. - Snacking is bad
If you have a nutritive snack, it will prevent you from overeating at meal times. A snack composed of good carbs, healthy fats and protein will help fill any nutrient gaps and cover energy needs. But, these munchies must be low in sugar and free of artificial ingredients. It’s not wise to go more than 5 waking hours without food. So a planned snack is beneficial to a healthier overall eating regime.
- Protein rich diet is very important
Yes, it is good to have a diet which has sufficient protein in it. But, high levels of the same can be bad for the body. Importantly, a wholesome dinner incorporates various nutrients in appropriate measure. - Veg meals are low in proteins
Its a myth that non-veg is the best source of protein. In fact, many vegetarian items have good amount of protein sans the saturated fat present in most meat. - Brown sugar is better than white sugar
Sugar appears brown due to the presence of molasses, which is a mineral. However, brown sugar contains very little of this mineral and as such does not give any considerable benefit. Therefore, both white sugar and brown sugar have same health risks such as tooth decay, calories, and obesity.
Healthy Dinner Ideas As Per….
A well-balanced supper can be worked out keeping in mind the above details. It is also essential to note that no single diet plan can be the best for everyone. This is because, each individual has a different schedule, taste preferences, genetics, metabolism and work style. Therefore, every person has to try out different options, until he/she finds the right dinner plan and weight loss food plan that works!
