FAT LOSS HACKS, do they actually work?

We've heard them all before! Whether it be from our friend, neighbour or the internet, everybody swears by necking apple cider vinegar or drinking 6+ glasses of green tea a day.

Let's filter through the bullsh*t and find out whether they REALLY do work or if they're a complete waste of money!

Let's play a game of TRUE or FALSE!!

1) Drinking hot lemon water first thing in the morning wakes up your liver and detoxes you!

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE!

LONG ANSWER: If your liver didn't wake up when you did then you would in fact be dead. So if you like hot lemon water then by all means keep drinking it but it's not going to help you lose fat and it might damage your enamel!

2) Green tea will speed up your metabolism and thus lead to fat loss!

SHORT ANSWER: Likely due to the caffeine in green tea rather than the green tea itself.

LONG ANSWER: It is likely down to the caffeine in the green tea that some studies showed small differences in weight loss. However, these studies used green tea extract because tea bags can absorb the catechins in the green tea. The catechins are the natural antioxidants found in green tea that help prevent cell damage through reduction in free radicals. So if you're drinking green tea from a health point of view then opt for a high quality loose leaf tea! Regarding fat loss, don't rely on green tea alone to see results!

Green tea can actually be detrimental for some individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as asthma, due to an imbalance in T cells and B cells that regulate the immune system response. There is no one food that is good for everyone, which is why it's always best to speak to a professional before following a certain diet or taking certain supplements.

3) Apple cider vinegar will alkalise you!

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE!

LONG ANSWER: Apple cider vinegar, just like any other vinegar, is in fact an acid therefore it will NOT alkalise you. It's just vinegar, it tastes disgusting and it is in fact the most expensive vinegar so please stop wasting your money!

4) Eating after 8pm will cause you to gain fat.

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE!

LONG ANSWER: You will not gain fat if you eat after a certain time, just like how you won't lose fat if you only eat during an 8 hour window. You will lose fat if you are in a calorie deficit, you will gain fat if you are in a calorie surplus.

5) Superfoods make you healthy and lose weight.

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE!

LONG ANSWER: There is no such thing as a superfood. This is a marketing term that can be used when a food contains a high amount of a nutrient. Therefore by taking this food this does not make you "healthier" because one nutrient does not make up for all of the other nutrients the "superfood" doesn't contain. It certainly won't make you lose weight or fat either. Stop wasting your money on expensive "superfoods" or "superfood" powders, just eat a varied and colourful diet of mainly whole foods!

6) Removing carbs will lead to fat loss and abs!

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE FALSE FALSE FALSE!!

LONG ANSWER: Carbohydrates won't make you fat, just like protein or fat won't make you gain fat. Carbohydrates are ESSENTIAL for overall health. They provide us with vitamins and minerals that our bodies NEED and carbohydrates are our bodies preferred energy source so FUEL YOUR BODY! No one food or food group will make you gain fat, being in a calorie surplus will make you gain fat. So this is me telling you that you can still eat bread, pasta, pizza, rice, cakes and biscuits, and reach your goals!

7) Collagen will help you lose fat!

SHORT ANSWER: More research is needed!

LONG ANSWER: The evidence for using collagen supplements to relieve pain in arthritic individuals is promising but for the several other purported benefits, more research is still needed! If you're looking to lose fat then collagen is not the answer, it's time to look more closely at your current diet and exercise routine.

8) Time restricted feeding will lead to fat loss!

SHORT ANSWER: FALSE

LONG ANSWER: Fat loss only happens when we are in a calorie deficit. Therefore, even if we follow intermittent fasting or other time-restricted feeding diets we will not lose weight unless we are in a calorie deficit. Intermittent fasting has been proven to be beneficial for obese individuals and individuals with Type II diabetes. However, there is no easy way around fat loss so if you are struggling then it's best to speak to a coach. Everyone is different so what worked for Karen next door, probably won't work for you!

If you would like a more in depth review of any of the topics I have discussed then please send me a message on Instagram (@the__healthy__blonde)! If you would like a part 2 then please do let me know as there are SO many other diets/ hacks I can cover!

Please SHARE THIS BLOG with someone who might benefit from reading this! Let's stop wasting our money and getting drawn in by FAT LOSS HACKS on the internet!