Advertising claims: True or False?

Information found on the internet and social media

There's a lot of information about diet and physical activity on the internet and social media. This information can be contradictory and isn't always based on scientific evidence, just personal opinion. In order to be sure that you find the correct answers to your questions, the important thing is to check your sources.

To find your way through this information, see the explanations in the campaign #checkyourfacts.

Diet plans to increase muscle mass

Athletes wishing to increase their muscle mass usually turn to high-protein diet plans. They aim to " feed " the muscles with protein and at the same time lose fat by reducing carbohydrates.

• What you need to know is that the body can only use protein to build muscle when it is receiving enough energy in the form of carbohydrates and fats. Otherwise, the protein is used as an energy source and not as a building block.
• Our metabolism can only use a certain amount of protein, and the rest is eliminated by our kidneys. Consuming excessive amounts of protein overworks our kidneys and can have a negative effect on kidney function in the long term.
• These diet plans often include other inadvisable products to increase muscle mass. These are substances which, when consumed in large quantities, can be harmful to health. What's more, in most cases, the efficacy of these products is unproven.

If you follow the official recommendations for a balanced diet, your protein needs are well covered.

Weight loss supplements

There is a whole range of products on the market that promise rapid weight loss. Often, the manufacturer claims that all you have to do is drink or take the product to " slim down ".

These products have a number of significant side effects:

• They can dehydrate the body. You need to go to the toilet more often; they can even cause diarrhoea. The weight loss is due to water loss.
• There are products on the market, especially on the internet, which can contain substances that cause genuine health problems. 

A balanced, varied diet avoids excess calorie intake and meets all of the body's requirements. There is often no need to count calories or eat less - you just need to eat more healthily. Simply follow the official recommendations and opt for better quality foods. Eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, for example.

Being conscious of what you are eating and not being too strict with yourself lets you enjoy eating healthily again, for the long term.

Take time to eat, sit down, taste and listen to your body.