Any way you cut it, the average American is overweight. There are many factors that have led us to this point, but our nutrition is certainly one of the big ones. That being said, there is some serious incorrect hype regarding food.

Tens of millions of people try to lose weight every year. Thousands of businesses try to sell the on the best way to do it. This leads to competing claims, so many that it is difficult to tell what is true and what is not. Let's take a closer look.

Whatever you do, definitely don't eat that. Wait, says another weight loss guru, do eat it. A body builder can tell you the stark truth. The issue is calories, not what you eat. Eat fewer calories than you expend and you will lose weight.

That being said, the type of food you eat is important. Why? Certain foods have low caloric counts and you have to eat a huge amount to gain weight. Carrots, grapefruit, celery and lettuce are all examples of such food.

A common myth is that if you eat late, the food you eat will turn into fat. Not true. The issue is the total calories you eat per day, not necessarily when. The French are much thinner than Americans and eat dinner at 10 at night.

Lose a billion pounds in the next 24 hours! Ah, we've all read the ads and hype. Can you lose a bunch of weight quickly. The truth is you can. The problem is almost all the weight is water, which you will gain when you end the diet.

You should avoid fats like the plague. While most of us eat way too much fat, you should not avoid all fat. The body needs some as part of a balanced diet. No, not junk food fat. Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil or seeds and nuts are best.

Cut out one of the three daily meals and you will lose weight. More than a few diet gurus have mentioned this one. It is a strategy that almost always fails. Why? You tend to overeat during the remaining meals of the day.

Drinking a full glass of water before a meal helps you lose weight. Ah, this one is true. The water does not do anything to the calories in the food, but it takes up space in your stomach. As a result, you eat less before you feel full.

Ultimately, losing weight comes down to calories eaten versus expended. Exercise can make a world of difference. Cut down on calories and work out. You will see the pounds drop off in a slow and steady manner.

Sol Ferdinand writes for WeightLossLodge.com, your online weight loss resource. Click here to get your own unique version of this article.