Confused? Answers to 8 Common Weight Loss Questions

We hear so many weight loss tips it's downright mind boggling. Should you eat after 8 p.m.? Will eating grapefruit help you lose weight? A team of nutrition experts gives you the skinny:

1. Does chewing sugar free gum and eating low cal foods like celery help burn calories?
Hardly enough to matter. This is called the "negative calorie" approach to weight loss whereby chewing low cal foods takes more energy for your body to chew and digest than the calories they contain. At a Mayo Clinic study, it was determined that a peson who a piece of gum every waking hour of the day would lose less than a pound in one month. Bottom line: Stop chewing and get moving if you want to lose weight.

2. Does coffee rev my metabolism?
Resounding yes, if you drink it black. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system signaling the body to release a small amount of energy from its fat stores. When you add milk, cream, or sugar it causes insulin levels to rise which diminish the metabolic effect.

3. Will I gain weight if I eat after 8 p.m.?
It depends. The most important factor affecting weight is the total calories you eat each day, not when you eat them. That said, skimping on meals during the day may set you up to overeat at night which WILL pack on pounds. Research is showing that eating a larger breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a smaller dinner can help you consume fewer calories and reduce the temptation to snack at night. Turns out grandma's old adage was correct: Eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch, and a pauper at dinner!

4. If I'm rushed in the morning, should I grab a donut or whatever's handy or have nothing at all?
A donut is technically better than nothing, but not by much. The sugar, fat, carbs, and white flour are quickly absorbed in the bloodstream making your blood sugar rise so you will be hungry shortly thereafter. Over time this kind of eating may lead to weight gain. Studies at St. Louis University showed that women who eat carb rich meals over high protein ones ate about 400 more calories and had stronger cravings over the next 36 hours. Skip the cream filled and cake versions, and muffins.

5. Should I blot the oil on my pizza to cut calories?
It will help. Blotting a medium sized piece of cheese pizza can remove up to 50 calories and 5 grams of fat. But blotting won't help you if you're ordering cheese stuffed crust, meat-lovers, or double cheese pies which can add up to 800 calories per slicke and contain more than a whole days' worth of fat and sodium. Order with extra veggies and half the cheese and switch from deep dish to thin crust.

6. Does exercising on an empty stomach burn more fat?
It does, but if you're like me, you might not be able to work out as long or as intensely as you would if you had eaten first. A 200 calorie snack about 30 minutes before working out could actually help you lose weight in the long run, because you're able to work out longer. Exercisers who work out on an empty stomach may become so hungry post workout that they make poor food choices. Eat a banana, yogurt, protein drink or bar before working out can give you the energy you need to crank up the intensity.

7. Does eating grapefruit help you flush fat?
Despite the long standing rumors on this one, there is no science behind any food burning or melting away fat. If you lose weight on a grapefruit plan it is probably because you have cut calories by restricting food intake.

8. Does eating carbs, fat, and protein separately help with weight loss?
Nope. Food combining has gone in and out of favor over the last 10 years. The theory is that different food types (proteins, fats, straches, sugars, etc.)require their own digestive enyzmes in order to metabolize properly. The claim was that mixing these groups or eating them at the wrong time could cause weight gain. Recent studies indicate that a balanced diet worked just as well if not better (consuming healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fats at meals) than food combining plans.