1. Posted by Priscilla on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:27 pm PDT

Aren't these common sense?

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2. Posted by on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:27 pm PDT

Sensible advice, very helpful, thanks!

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3. Posted by phoenix on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:28 pm PDT

dieting is very unhealthy in the long run. some are overweight due to medical issues, hormone imbalances, stress. It isn't always about overeating and if you're poor you have to eat what you can. I CAN"T STAND being around people obsessed with dieting. Diet has the word DIE in it. look at what it does to models and anorexics. monique has it good.

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4. Posted by Bunny Boy on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:36 pm PDT

Fascinating that in an attempt to bust "myths" you repeat one of the most notorious, that eating saturated fat is "the main cause of high cholesterol." Actually, dietary cholesterol has only a marginal effect on serum cholesterol. The "main causes" of high serum cholesterol are hereditary factors and lack of exercise. Eating a lot of sugar is also likely to raise serum cholesterol. So, I guess if you're talking to committed couch potatoes, it's good advice to tell them not to eat butter, since that strategy might lower their serum cholesterol a few percentage points. Better advice would be to tell them to get some exercise. It's our "labor-saving" devices that are killing us with heart disease, not our saturated fat intake. The old order Amish have the lowest incidence of heart disease of any ethnic group in this country, and they eat plenty of saturated fat. They also get a lot more exercise than the "English" who have mechanical slaves to do all their work for them.

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5. Posted by yawntidefan on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:37 pm PDT

i have been drinking grapefruit juice twice a day for the past month and i have lost 9 pounds. its good to know i was doing something good.

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6. Posted by mike_25_ on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:45 pm PDT

No, "dieting" as a whole is not unhealthy in the long run. Crash diets are. Moderate diets where you lose no more than 1.5 lbs per week are perfectly healthy. As for people being over-weight due to medical issues, they still have to eat more calories than they burn to gain that weight. Just because someone has slow metabolism due to a medical issue, they don't have to give up and accept being over-weight.

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7. Posted by sgb737 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:48 pm PDT

This advice is wonderful! You would be shocked at the number of people who claim they "can't eat right because of my lifestyle." These are the same people who think eating less (1 meal a day) will help them drop a considerable amount of weight. When, in truth, they are the ones who tend to GAIN the amount they sought out to lose. I should know. I was one of those people. Talk to your doctor about everything, before you change your eating and exercise habits, and he/she will help you do exactly what's needed for you. Make your goals realistic. If you gain some back, it's not the end of the world. Just remember how you got to your original goal. Lastly, don't call it a "diet." Diet resonates "work." Instead, call it a "healthy change." Good luck to us all.

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8. Posted by greenpoxx11 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:50 pm PDT

People with eating disorders are NOT obsessed with dieting for vanities sake. Get over your assumptions and ignorance phoenix.

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9. Posted by Meredith2008 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:55 pm PDT

A new spin on the butter issue... try "better butter". Soften a cup of butter and add a cup of canola oil then whip. Pour it into a plastic container and chill. In an hour or so you have spreadable butter, no transfats, and you've cut the sat fat in half. For your favorite italian flavors, mix the butter with olive oil. (not sure if this lowers the calorie count, but it is healthier when used it MODERATION--the dreaded M word!)

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10. Posted by buger k on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 1:56 pm PDT

I agree with Mike. If you happen to be unlucky and have slow metabolism, then you have no choice but to eat that small amount and be in good shape rather than being obese and have medical risks.

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11. Posted by STEVEN C on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:00 pm PDT

question to yawntidefan...have you been dieting and exercising ..or just drinking the grapefruit juice.. i was thinking juice is less expensive than the fruit (and less messy)

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12. Posted by Kathy on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:01 pm PDT

I wish the authors had included a statement cautioning persons on cholesterol reducing drugs to avoid grapefruit. The two often don't mix.

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13. Posted by Teecy on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:03 pm PDT

Phoenix, I beg to differ. Most overweight people just eat more than they work off. But, "dieting" is not the answer, healthy living is. Fresh, low fat foods, minimal refined sugars, exercise 5 days per week for 30 mins.....drink lots of water, choose low fat meats and wat portions.

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14. Posted by jonopp99 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:09 pm PDT

If you are lucky enough to find it in your local grocery store in their "health food" refrigerated section, try any of the "Earth Balance" spreads instead of butter. (their website www.earthbalance.net). It is made from a mix of oils that are designed to improve your cholesterol ratio. But the best part is that you can use this spread for baking, sauting (doesn't burn like butter) and straight on toast. Tastes wonderful too!

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15. Posted by alicia8163 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:15 pm PDT

Who writes this stuff? As another poster stated, it's common sense! How about this tip... get off the computer and go do some exercise. Here's another "Diet Myth" - reading these stupid suggestions from some pseudo expert claiming to enlighten people (with articles about the "4 Diet Myths") will not help you lose weight!

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16. Posted by randybartsch on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:44 pm PDT

I've lost 40 lbs in 1 year. I did it by - cutting portion sizes at mealtime, trading diet coke for normal, cut eating dessert except at celebration times (birthday, Thanksgiving vs 3 scoops of IC every night), drinking fruit smoothies, stop eating after 7:30pm, oatmeal for bfast, weighing myself every morning right after I shower, and being consistent.

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17. Posted by Cassie M on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:48 pm PDT

The only thing about grapefruit juice is that it apparently interferes with certain medication? Is this true? Just curious.

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18. Posted by gurlliz09 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:57 pm PDT

very helpful thanx!!

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19. Posted by earlytomorrow on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 3:07 pm PDT

Is there an alternative to grapefruit? I was told by my neurologist to avoid it as it interferes with the effectiveness of my anti-seizure medication. Would oranges work?

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20. Posted by christina_p_93 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 4:33 pm PDT

I agree with jonopp99, earth balance is really good margarine. And it isn't bad for you in moderation. And myth #1 is actually true, most margarine does and trans fat is a type of saturated fat so they're not really comparing apples to apples. I think it's just so stupid how some states and countries are banning trans fat. I know its bad for you, but let people make their own decisions!

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21. Posted by cindy_tgl on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 8:15 pm PDT

kool

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22. Posted by cocoab6 on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 8:51 pm PDT

i found the best way to lose weight is to cut my carb intake in half. after the first 2 weeks i didn't even miss the loaded baked potatoes! Also Smart Butter tastes really good and has omega 3 and flaxseed and is only about $.30 more than regular butter.

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23. Posted by girish on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 10:42 pm PDT

great article;infact we must never leave out a food completely, everything should be moderated; and eggs are really cool to have in your diet.I lost 3kgs in a month just by not adding sugar to my coffee/tea ( i take 5-6 cuppas daily) and cut down 500 cal per day. obvious isnt it?

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24. Posted by Jan on Fri, Jul 06, 2007, 6:44 pm PDT

This is for everyone but especially Denver Doll 24 and jonopp99. Don't EVER use Canola oil for anything whatsoever! It is so bad for you! Canola oil is not a natural oil. It is a man-made oil never before seen in nature until a few years ago thanks to the wonders of modern chemistry. There is no such thing as a canola plant or a canola seed. Canola oil comes from hybridized, genetically modified rapeseed plants. The oil from natural rapeseed contains a highly toxic substance known as erucic acid and is illegal to sell for human consumption. Erucic acid is highly toxic to the heart and promotes heart failure. Rapeseed that is genetically modified to produce oil that contains a lower amount of erucic acid is called canola oil. Although most of the erucic acid has been removed, canola oil still contains about 1% of this heart-destroying toxin. Why would you want to eat an oil that contains harmful toxins? One of the supposed benefits of canola oil is its high omega-3 content (10%). This benefit, however, is another reason why you shouldn't eat it. Omega-3 fats are very delicate and highly sensitive to heat. That's why you never heat flaxseed oil. The same is true with canola oil. It should never be heated because when omega-3s are heated they quickly oxidize (become rancid) and produce cell-destroying molecules known as free radicals. Canola oil is processed under high temperatures (over 300 degrees). This causes the polyunsaturated oils in it to transform into toxic trans fatty acids and the omega-3s to oxidize and become free radicals. All the beneficial omega-3s in the oil have been destroyed and turned into harmful substances. I can't stand the fact that the government and the FDA can just blatantly lie to us telling us that something is healthy when in fact it is soooooo extremely bad for us!!!!!!! Beware! Lots of restaurants are saying they are switching to Canola oil because they THINK that it's healthier. Boy are they ever wrong!!

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25. Posted by dakiddpenny on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 7:24 am PDT

What is a good brand or type of grapefruit juice? I want to make sure I don't get a sugar/corn syrup grapefruit juice.

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26. Posted by E on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 7:41 am PDT

Good tips, thanks!

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27. Posted by gen.sabine on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 7:49 am PDT

I have to say- it's phenomenally ignorant for the author of this article to recommend baking with liquid or tub margarine...the water content in those products is too high and the fat content too low. That's pretty much cooking 101.

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28. Posted by Scott C on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 7:50 am PDT

I lost over 135 lbs in the past 2 years, and I did it by cutting out all fats in my diet..everything I eat is now low fat or fat free, I cut out soda I only drink water or crystal light lemonade and cut out all cookies, cakes and any other unhelathy snacks...fruits and veggies as snacks now, and I use only the liquid spray butter...plus I joined a gym and excersice on a daily basis...lowerd my cholesterol, blood pressure and feel and look a hell of a lot better...I don't consider it a diet its more of a lifestyle change...

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29. Posted by Ice Queen on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 8:05 am PDT

To those who look down on those with "medical" issues...no it's not a crutch. I eat well, lean meats, watch the portions, diet drink/water with meals, salads w/lite or fat free dressings, black coffee w/sweet & low, etc. I exercise, sometimes dancing for 1-1 1/2 hrs 4-5 times a week, light weight training the others. Guess what? I'm lucky if I can shed 1/2 a lb. Oh, my sugars are in the low 80s, I have great cholesterol counts, and my blood pressure is usually in the 100/70 range, even with coffee. My downfall? A pituitary tumor, PCOS and epilepsy, and the medication that controls the seizures has WEIGHT GAIN as a side effect. Things aren't always black and white.

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30. Posted by selizabethss on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 8:09 am PDT

thankz good tips

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