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Is a high protein/low-carb diet the healthiest way to lose weight? Is it really the less you eat, the better? With so much “proven” scientific evidence, what’s just an old wives’ tale and what’s not? Here are some of the most common food myths debunked:

1. Eating late at night is bad because the food will turn straight into fat.

FALSE: Nutritionist Jody Margolis, M.S., R.D. says "weight gain occurs when you consume more calories than your body expends." The time of day a person eats is not as important for overall weight gain as the number of calories eaten during the day. But, she says, "late night eating is usually not for physical hunger but an emotional need."

2. Certain foods like grapefruit and cabbage soup can burn fat.

FALSE: Foods don't burn fat. Exercise and physical activity do. Jody Bauer, from Parade Magazine, says that low-calorie, high-nutrient foods will certainly help you lose weight--not because they have negative calories--but because you’re munching on them instead of crackers, chips and cookies.

3. High protein and low carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.

FALSE: Humans need the majority of their calories to come from carbohydrates for energy, but at least half of these should come from whole grains, fruits and veggies. Margolis says lean meats and protein are a much smaller part of our diet.

4. Diet foods help you drop pounds.

FALSE: Health.com says diet food may actually cause you to put on pounds. Margolis says "diet foods don't necessarily help you drop pounds and are often full of artificial ingredients. Eating a diet rich in high-fiber, nutrient-rich foods will generally promote weight loss."

5. The less fat you eat, the better.

FALSE: While fat is the most calorie-dense macronutrient (9 calories per fat gram vs. carbs and protein, which are around 4 calories per gram), our bodies do need fat for hormone synthesis and cell structures.  Nutritionist Gloria Tsang says although fat can be associated with weight management, "fat is essential for providing our body with fatty acids that it cannot make and helps our body absorb fat soluble vitamins." Margolis adds that it is the type of fat you eat, for example, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from avocados, olive oil, canola oil and fatty fish, that can help promote heart health.

So how do you spot a diet myth?

Answer: Tsang says the bottom line is that there is no quick fix to long-term successful weight loss.  If a diet "emphasizes a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods including whole grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat, low in saturated and trans fat in addition to being physically active, this can result in a long lasting weight loss and improved health.”

Although dieting and exercise are the key to sustained weight loss, sometimes the goal becomes skewed and the focus shifts from having a healthier body to losing weight.  With so many fat free and low carb diet foods, consider how the ingredients are affecting your body.  Maybe it’s better to focus on moderation and a balanced meal, rather than munching on the low calorie version of your favorite treat. 

To reach reporter Amanda Lew, click here.