Diet myths busted

By: Erin O'Hearn

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Meet Dr. Jeffrey Perkins -- internist and diet myth buster extraordinaire.

Myth #1
Eating celery is just as good as hopping on a treadmill. It burns calories because it takes more energy to chew the vegetable than you consume.

Dr. Perkins said, "There are no foods that really burn calories."

The good news is there are foods that accelerate weight loss, like almonds, but remember, everything in moderation.

Myth #2
High protein diets like the Atkins plan promote permanent weight loss and do not cause long term damage.

Dr. Perkins said, "There's probably little harm over a two-week period, but beyond that human beings need a balanced diet of protein, of healthy starches, of healthy fats to maintain good nutrition."

Dr. Perkins said staying on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for more than two weeks can lead to osteoporosis.

Myth #3
Skipping breakfast will help you lose weight.

Dr. Perkins said this is one of the biggest strains you can put on your body.

He explained, "The worst thing you can do is miss that breakfast. Missing breakfast is not going to promote weight loss because ultimately you're going to eat food later in the day to make up for it."

Dr. Perkins said you're also more prone to eating foods higher in fat and sugar.

Myth #4
Fresh produce is healthier than frozen produce.

Dr. Perkins said, "Frozen produce is picked at these large plants, farm plants and so forth, and it's washed and flash frozen very quickly soon after picking, and likely has a greater retention of its nutrient content than produce that was picked 20 days ago, loaded on a truck. It may be hot weather and the produce is losing its vitamins."

Myth #5
If you eat late at night, expect to pack on the pounds come morning.

Dr. Perkins said, "Bottom line is, it's the amount of calories you eat over a 24 hour period indexed to the amount of calories you burn over a 24 hour period that determines whether you have gained or lost weight over that 24 hour period."

Dr. Perkins said ultimately, there are no real hidden secrets or quick fixes. Being healthy is a life-long commitment of balance and moderation.