Nutrition can be confusing. Between the ever-changing dietary guidelines, fad diets, and food trends, it’s hard to know what to believe anymore. And that’s not even mentioning the myths that have been around for years.
Here are five of the most common food myths, along with the science to set the record straight.
Myth 1: Fat-Free Foods are Always Healthier
Just because a food is fat-free, doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthy. Often, these foods are loaded with sugar and other unhealthy additives in order to improve the taste. For example, fat-free salad dressings are often high in sugar whereas regular salad dressings have healthy oils that can improve heart health. Fat-free cookies are also often loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. When looking for healthier foods, be sure to check the nutrition label and ingredients list to make sure you’re not eating something.
Myth 2: Skipping breakfast will help you lose weight.
It’s a common belief that skipping breakfast can help you lose weight, but research has shown that this isn’t actually true. In fact, studies have found that people who eat breakfast are more likely to lose weight and maintain their weight loss than those who don’t. Skipping breakfast can actually make you more likely to gain weight, because you’re more likely to snack later in the day.
Also, Skipping breakfast can lead to decreased concentration and productivity. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s important to start your day off with a healthy breakfast.
Myth 3: Nuts Will Make You Gain Weight
The biggest health myth of our time is that nuts will make you gain weight. This could not be further from the truth! In fact, nuts are among the most healthy and nutritious foods on the planet. They are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they make a perfect snack or addition to any meal. Nuts are also a good source of protein and healthy fats, which can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Myth 4: Cutting out carbs is the best way to lose weight.
While it is true that cutting carbs can lead to weight loss in the short term, it is not a sustainable way to lose weight in the long term. In fact, when you cut out carbs, you are also cutting out many of the essential nutrients your body needs, which can actually lead to weight gain in the long run. A better way to lose weight is to make small changes to your diet and exercise routine that you can stick with over time.
Myth 5: Meat is Needed to Have a Balanced Diet
While meat is a good source of protein, there are other ways to get protein into your diet. A vegan diet can be healthy and provide enough protein. Legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains are all excellent sources of protein. You may have to eat a bit more of these foods to get the same amount of protein as you would from meat, but it is definitely possible.
Also other variety of foods, including beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa provide all of the nutrients needed for good health.
5 Misconceptions About Healthy Eating
By Tanisha Bawa & Aditi Verma on June 4, 2022
Nutrition can be confusing. Between the ever-changing dietary guidelines, fad diets, and food trends, it’s hard to know what to believe anymore. And that’s not even mentioning the myths that have been around for years.
Here are five of the most common food myths, along with the science to set the record straight.
Myth 1: Fat-Free Foods are Always Healthier
Just because a food is fat-free, doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthy. Often, these foods are loaded with sugar and other unhealthy additives in order to improve the taste. For example, fat-free salad dressings are often high in sugar whereas regular salad dressings have healthy oils that can improve heart health. Fat-free cookies are also often loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. When looking for healthier foods, be sure to check the nutrition label and ingredients list to make sure you’re not eating something.
Myth 2: Skipping breakfast will help you lose weight.
It’s a common belief that skipping breakfast can help you lose weight, but research has shown that this isn’t actually true. In fact, studies have found that people who eat breakfast are more likely to lose weight and maintain their weight loss than those who don’t. Skipping breakfast can actually make you more likely to gain weight, because you’re more likely to snack later in the day.
Also, Skipping breakfast can lead to decreased concentration and productivity. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s important to start your day off with a healthy breakfast.
Myth 3: Nuts Will Make You Gain Weight
The biggest health myth of our time is that nuts will make you gain weight. This could not be further from the truth! In fact, nuts are among the most healthy and nutritious foods on the planet. They are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they make a perfect snack or addition to any meal. Nuts are also a good source of protein and healthy fats, which can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Myth 4: Cutting out carbs is the best way to lose weight.
While it is true that cutting carbs can lead to weight loss in the short term, it is not a sustainable way to lose weight in the long term. In fact, when you cut out carbs, you are also cutting out many of the essential nutrients your body needs, which can actually lead to weight gain in the long run. A better way to lose weight is to make small changes to your diet and exercise routine that you can stick with over time.
Myth 5: Meat is Needed to Have a Balanced Diet
While meat is a good source of protein, there are other ways to get protein into your diet. A vegan diet can be healthy and provide enough protein. Legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains are all excellent sources of protein. You may have to eat a bit more of these foods to get the same amount of protein as you would from meat, but it is definitely possible.
Also other variety of foods, including beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa provide all of the nutrients needed for good health.