Fitness Myths: you need to cut carbs & fat to lose weight

THE TRUTH:

Most get-thin-fast plans revolve around the idea that restricting your intake of one particular nutrient, usually carbs or fat, is the best way to lose weight.

But the results of a 2009 New England Journal of Medicine study suggest otherwise. For two years, participants followed one of four calorie-restricted diets with varying amounts of carbs, protein, and fat. After 24 months, all participants lost about the same amount of weight (just nine pounds).

This study proves that calories are the most important factor for weight loss. To lose weight, you need to take in fewer calories than you burn—regardless of what percentage of carbs, protein, or fat you're eating.

Gimmicky diets just distract us from this simple truth.