Most dads want to be healthier. Usually this comes from wanting to be a better father, a better husband, etc. The problem is that in the United States, the advice you are getting pushed in your face from so-called experts is often wrong and potentially harmful. I’m here to help you sort fact from fiction in the nutrition world. I am presenting to you “6 Lies the USDA is Telling You”. We will address the first 2 today.
1. Weight-Loss is simply a matter of calories in vs. calories out. 
If it were really this simple, our “100 Calorie Snack Pack” consuming culture would likely be reasonably fit & lean for the most part. But take a look around. Is that really what you see? A bunch of fit, healthy people. Probably not. Calories In vs Calories Out has a big problem. We don’t process all foods the same way. Does 100 Calories of chocolate chip cookies provide equal nutrition as 100 Calories of grilled chicken? In addition, most of the low calorie “Snack Packs” are really just processed junk food in a smaller quantity. Processed foods (junk foods) are supernaturally stimulating, and actually encourage you to overconsume. In other words, they “help” you gain body fat. If you would like to stop gaining fat, then throw the junk food away. It doesn’t really matter how few calories or grams of fat they contain. Junk food is still junk food. And no matter what anyone tries to tell, all calories are not equal, and weight-loss is much more complicated than calories in vs. calories out.
2. The “BMI” is an accurate gauge of your health. 
I cannot think of a more commonly used “health measurement” more worthless than BMI. It’s flawed logic. For instance, if you are significantly overweight we can safely assume that you will have a high BMI. But it does not work the other way around. With a high BMI, you could be overweight, or you could also be extremely fit. See a problem? It cannot account for muscle mass and bone density. Two items that tend to make a person’s body heavier, but also healthier. So by the logic of the BMI, many professional athletes would be considered overweight and obese. Sound ridiculous? So, is Cam Newton really borderline obese, or is it a flawed test? Sorry BMI, you lose!
For additional information on the points discussed today, visit the following links on Calorie Counting and BMI. Stay tuned for Part 2!
About Matt: Matt is an avid sports fan and loves playing basketball, volleyball and golf whenever possible. He spent a number of years working as an assistant golf professional and currently manages Business Development at DJ Construction. He received his CrossFit Level 1 Certificate in January of 2013. Matt has made it his mission to figure out how to make fitness a sustainable life-long pursuit for everyone. In July 2012, Matt married his awesome wife, Abby. They attend and are involved at Sugar Grove Church in Goshen.
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