Luke Stanaway
Registered Nutritionist
Key Takeways
Eating smaller, frequent meals will not increase metabolism.
Fat consumption does not cause weight gain, overeating does.
Consuming protein within an hour of workout is not necessary.
Post-workout window is not a magic bullet for protein consumption.
Total amount of protein consumed throughout the day is more important.
In today's world, where information is being forced on you at an increasing rate, it can be difficult to tell the difference between true and false nutrition information. Here are three frequently heard nutrition myths:
Eat small, frequent meals to lose weight
Smaller, more frequent meals will increase your metabolism. This is not correct. The body operates on a longer timescale, so eating the same amount of food every day will have the same effect on your metabolism. Eating six meals a day can help with protein synthesis, but this is a personal preference.
Fat makes you fat
Eating fat makes you fat. This is a false and harmful statement. The myth dates back to the early 1900s and is based on the fact that fatty foods have more calories per gram. However, it is overeating in general, not the consumption of fat, that causes weight gain. Except for trans-fats, which should be avoided, fat consumption can be beneficial for hormonal control and production.
Have your protein an hour after a workout
Protein should be consumed within an hour of your workout. This is not required. The post-workout window is not a magic bullet, and protein sensitivity remains elevated for at least 24 to 48 hours after your workout. It is more important to consider the total amount of protein consumed throughout the day.
These are just a few examples of common nutrition myths; if you have any further questions, please contact us at Nourish; we are always happy to assist.