A doctor has recently debunked a common misconception about weight loss that might leave you surprised.
Many people aiming to shed pounds have experimented with a variety of strategies, such as fasting, reducing junk food intake, adhering to strict diets, or trying detox regimens. Unfortunately, these efforts often don’t yield the desired results.
This may be due to a pervasive ‘lie’ that many have accepted as truth.
While some individuals resort to medications like Ozempic to aid in their weight loss journey, others seek more natural methods. However, maintaining motivation can be challenging when progress is slow.
Understanding this ‘lie’ could potentially transform your approach to food and dieting.
Dr. Eric Berg, a chiropractor specializing in Healthy Ketosis and Intermittent Fasting, serves as the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and is the author of the best-seller “The Healthy Keto Plan.”
Dr. Berg frequently discusses health and wellness topics and recently informed his YouTube followers about a widely believed falsehood regarding weight loss.
In a video, he stated: “Today we’re going to talk about the biggest lie about weight loss, dieting, and trying to lose your belly fat. This lie has been going around for decades.
“You may have accepted this mainstream lie because it’s taught in all the different universities and continue to use it over and over again.
“What is this lie? It’s this: weight loss is just a matter of eating fewer calories than you’re burning.”
Dr. Berg argues that the narrative we’ve heard—there’s no single harmful food and that everything is fine in moderation—originated from the junk food industry to encourage continued consumption.
He further explained that the weight loss industry promotes the idea that shedding pounds is simply about burning more calories than consumed, a method he claims is ineffective. Instead of focusing solely on calorie counts, Dr. Berg advises paying attention to the quality of the calories consumed.
He emphasizes the importance of monitoring insulin and blood sugar levels, as insulin plays a crucial role in determining whether fat is stored or burned.
“All calories are not the same! Let’s look at the hormone insulin, which tells calories where to go,” he explained.
“If insulin is high, your carbohydrates will be stored as fat. If it’s low, those calories will be burned. All it takes is a small amount of carbohydrates to raise insulin and prevent your body from burning fat.”
The Mayo Clinic also acknowledges the connection between insulin and calorie intake, noting that excess calories are stored as fat.
Dr. Berg’s revelations have sparked reactions online. A commenter noted: “They told us fat was the enemy, but sugar was quietly destroying everything. Biggest bait and switch in health history. That’s what I’ve learned after reading ‘Secrets To Perfect Health’ by Nathan Cole, it’s one book I suggest everyone to read!”
Another person remarked: “Who would have believed that 1 of the most important health tips you can get, will be a 6 minutes video you can watch FOR FREE?!”
So, what steps can be taken for more effective weight loss?
Some suggestions include increasing fiber intake or selecting alternative foods to manage hunger. For example, instead of consuming simple carbs like pasta, opt for complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, whole grains, or legumes, which have a lower impact on insulin levels. Fiber can also help with satiety and managing insulin spikes.
“Fiber can help buffer a blood sugar spike. Orange juice without the fiber will increase your blood sugar significantly more than whole oranges with fiber,” Dr. Berg noted.
Switching to nutrient-dense foods, such as cod liver oil for omega-3s, over less healthy fats, can also aid in weight management.
“You will not lose weight if your calories don’t satisfy you. Unsustainable diets leave you feeling hungry all the time. The more nutrient-dense a food is, the more satisfying it will be. The source of the calories matters!” he explained.
He also highlighted the negative impact of synthetic sugars, like high fructose corn syrup, on the liver, recommending honey as a better and more easily metabolized alternative.
Dr. Berg concluded, “If you’re struggling to lose weight, realizing that calorie counting doesn’t work is essential.”