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Some people have the time, skill and foresight to plan and prepare healthy meals, and the willpower and knowledge to make smart food choices away from home. But for many others, deciphering nutritional information and consuming the right ratio of fat, calories and nutrients can seem overwhelming or downright impossible. If you fall into the latter group, you may benefit from working with a dietitian or nutritionist—but to get the desired results, "working" is the key word. A dietitian provides education and guidance, but you're ultimately responsible for the success or failure of a weight loss program. We asked a few nutrition experts to share the bad behaviors that are holding their clients back, and here's what they wish you'd stop doing. 1. Skipping BreakfastIn an effort to master the "calories in versus calories out" equation, many dieters choose to skip breakfast altogether. That's a grave mistake, says Lauren Harris-Pincus, a registered dietitian for Nutrition Starring YOU. "Many of my clients have coffee or nothing in the morning, and they are missing out on a golden opportunity to benefit from protein and fiber in their first meal of the day," Harris-Pincus says. "Maintaining muscle mass is important as we age, and since we can only use about 30 grams of protein per meal for muscle building, doubling up later in the day won't do any good." However, eating breakfast later could provide some benefits. According to Katherine Mattox, a registered dietitian with Mt. Lookout Chiropractic, research has shown that extending the period between the last bite of food you have at dinner and your first bite of food at breakfast—a form of intermittent fasting—can lead to weight loss, a stronger immune system and a decreased risk of breast cancer in women. "Eating breakfast at 9 or 10 a.m. may work in your favor," Mattox says. "Aim to fast for 12 hours, so if you finish eating at 8 p.m., try to not eat again until after 8 a.m." If you’re not a morning exerciser, Katherine recommends sticking to a low-carb combination of convenient fats and protein options, such as a handful of nuts, hard-boiled eggs or a protein drink with cocoa nibs (healthy dark chocolate chunks). Jessica Fishman Levinson, registered dietitian and founder of Nutritioulicious, lists the many benefits of breakfast, including jump-starting the metabolism, improving cognition, regulating hunger hormones and blood sugar levels and preventing overeating later in the day. And when it comes to weight loss, Levinson points out that 78 percent of National Weight Control Registry members who successfully lost weight—and kept it off—ate breakfast every day. "Rather than skipping breakfast, the key is ensuring your breakfast recipe is healthy, satiating and a good addition to your daily diet," she says. "The ideal breakfast has a combination of whole grains, lean protein, nonfat or low-fat dairy, healthy fats and fruit and/or vegetables." 2. Relying (Too Much) on CleansesMost of the nutritionists and dietitians we spoke with advise against using cleanses as a weight loss tool. Harris-Pincus says our bodies are designed for self-cleansing. "We have a liver that does our cleansing for us. If it's not working, you need a doctor, not a diet," she says. "Cleanses are often low in protein and can lead to loss of valuable muscle mass. When you regain the weight you lose, and you most likely will, you will put on more fat and end up worse off than when you started." Levinson wishes people would stop going on "detox" diets and cleanses, pointing out that our bodies are designed to naturally eliminate toxins. "Detox diets and cleanses, which are often composed of juices and no solid foods, are lacking important nutrients that our bodies need," she says. "Yes, weight loss might occur, but that's mostly due to loss of muscle mass and changes in fluid throughout the body. These restrictive detox and cleanse programs are not sustainable, and can lead to the 'yo-yo' dieting effect." Instead of going on juice cleanses, Levinson prefers to focus on nutrient-rich foods—especially those rich in fiber, like whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains—and cut back on processed foods that are high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars. 3. Drinking Your CaloriesLisa C. Andrews of Sound Bites Nutrition advises her clients that for long-lasting energy, better blood sugar and higher metabolism, it's best to eat their calories rather than drink them. "The act of chewing tells your brain you're filling up," Andrews says. "Plus, your metabolism is higher if your body has to physically tear up the food instead of just absorbing it in liquid form. My motto is, if you have teeth and a small intestine, let your body do the digestion." Mattox puts beverages in two categories: designed for either weight loss or weight gain. For weight loss, she recommends choosing filtered water, unsweetened tea, unsweetened coffee or 100% dark berry juices. As a general rule, she advises against any artificially sweetened beverage, including diet iced tea, diet soda and calorie-free water, as some studies have linked artificial sweeteners to insulin resistance and weight gain. She also recommends limiting high-sugar beverages, such as soda, sweetened coffee drinks, fruit juices and energy drinks. 4. Falling for Fad DietsWhen a fad diet seems too good to be true, it usually is. Andrews cautions her clients against any eating regime that claims to achieve miraculous results in a short amount of time, which feeds the need for instant gratification. "The truth is, a change on the scale, an improvement in blood sugar or a drop in your cholesterol may take a few months of changing habits," Andrews says. "Starving stinks. Restrictive diets may cause deficiencies and binge behavior. Be patient and consistent, and results will follow." Alissa Rumsey, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, doesn't even like to use the word "diet." "Anything you are going on, you will eventually go off," she says. "By using the word 'diet,' you limit yourself to black-and-white thinking, but that’s not how it works in real life. I help my clients set up healthy habits that are sustainable and doable for life—not just for the next few weeks." Rumsey recommends following the 80/20 strategy to develop a long-term healthy eating pattern, which entails making smart food choices 80 percent of the time and cutting yourself some slack for the balance. According to dietitian Toby Amidor, it's a mistake to put too much stock in a single superfood. "There is no one food that contains all the nutrients you need to keep your body healthy and functioning properly," he says. "For optimal wellness, you need to eat a combination of nutrient-packed foods from a variety of food groups, including whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein, fruits and vegetables." 5. Taking Advice from Non-ExpertsAndrews points out that many people make the mistake of taking nutrition advice from people in the health field who aren't licensed dietitians, such as personal trainers, chiropractors or other types of healers. "Dietitians have the education and license to provide sound nutrition counseling," she says. "Our information is based on science, not fads in the industry. We won't sell you pills or powders that promise to boost your metabolism, libido or testosterone." It’s important to note the difference between a registered dietitian (RD) and a nutritionist. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but aren’t necessarily the same. A registered dietitian is licensed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and has fulfilled specific educational and professional criteria. Although some nutritionists may be licensed, not all of them are: In the United States, anyone can use that title without meeting any certain requirements. 6. Weighing Yourself Every DayIt's normal to want to monitor your results, but stepping on the scale every day could actually derail your weight loss efforts. "Your weight fluctuates, especially throughout the month for women," says Amidor. "It can even fluctuate each day, due to natural shifts in water weight." Amidor recommends weighing yourself on the same scale once a week, always at the same time of day—such as first thing in the morning or before bed—wearing the same amount of clothes. The scale isn’t the only way to gauge your progress. Alternate methods include trying on clothes to see if they fit differently, using a tape measure, taking note of energy levels and paying attention to your emotional health. 7. Avoiding FruitMeghan Wilkinson, a clinical dietitian, feels that fruit can often get a bad rap because of its high sugar content, but that the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks. "The sugar found in fruit is naturally occurring, and fruit contains many polyphenols and phytonutrients," Wilkinson says. "Fruits are also a good source of fiber, which can help you feel fuller longer and help regulate your bowel function."
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