There is a lot of information about nutrition, half of which is based on inaccuracies and old wives’ tales about food. Have you ever googled something a parent or an influencer has said only to be met with more confusion? That’s because people make up many things about nutrition and healthy eating. This article will debunk some of the common myths associated with food.
1. Excessive Eating of Carrots Improves Eyesight
Like all other vegetables, carrots are highly nutritious. However, eating plenty of them will not magically improve your eyesight. The idea of eating carrots to improve eyesight was popularized by mothers who wanted to encourage their children to eat veggies.
2. Cucumbers Contain Only Water
A good number of people remove cucumbers from their diet, claiming they only contain water. On the contrary, cucumbers contain a wide range of nutrients, such as vitamins B, C and K. They are also rich in phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
3. Fat-Free Foods Are Better
It’s understandable why people may be afraid of fatty foods. However, that doesn’t mean fat-free products are better. Usually, the fat removed from these products is replaced by sodium or sugar to add flavor. Also, fat in food promotes feelings of fullness. So, by sticking to fat-free products, you may find yourself eating more calories than usual.
4. Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day
Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day; it doesn’t matter when breakfast is taken or what foods are consumed. However, this doesn’t mean breakfast should be skipped or not taken seriously. The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day was promoted by cereal companies to sell their products.
5. Discarding the Salt Shaker at Home will Reduce Sodium Consumption
Some fitness influencers recommend throwing away the salt shaker to reduce sodium intake. However, this can’t be further from the truth. People consume more salt from restaurant meals, processed, and ready-to-eat food. Discarding the salt shaker definitely isn’t the solution.
6. Cranberry Juice Treats UTIs
Cranberry juice does not treat any UTI. On the contrary, the high sugar levels in cranberry juice can worsen the symptoms of the diseases. The best treatment for a UTI can be obtained after a consultation with a doctor. Ensuring your body is hydrated is more helpful than drinking cranberry juice.
7. Avoiding Carbs Helps You Lose Weight
A pro tip to remember is that any diet that eliminates a particular food group is a red flag. Carbohydrates don’t just revolve around cookies, chips and bread. It also comprises healthy fruits and whole grains. While limiting the former’s intake can be considered healthy, the same can’t be said for whole grains and fruits.
8. Unrefined sugar is better than White Table Sugar
Some think substituting white table sugar for coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey is healthier. However, the bottom line is that sugar is sugar. Even if white table sugar is replaced with honey, the results will be the same.
9. Everyone Should Go Gluten-Free
Gluten-free diets were designed for people with a gluten intolerance. Nowadays, everyone wants to hop onto the gluten-free diet as some form of fad. On the contrary, one denies the body essential nutrients such as fiber and B vitamins. The other thing people need to know about gluten-free products is that they usually contain added starch, salt or sugar as some form of “compensation.”
10. Detox Programs are a Must
It’s true that detox programs are unnecessary. However, there are hundreds of detox programs on the internet promising to get rid of all toxins in the body – these are purely marketing gimmicks. The body automatically detoxifies itself using organs such as the liver, kidneys and lungs. To enhance this process, people can always turn to foods such as ginger, rosemary, berries, and garlic that promote detoxification.
11. Healthy Eating is Expensive
No one should fear following a healthy diet as it is not as expensive as it is often advertised. The only challenge with healthy eating is that it requires planning, and more time will be spent in the kitchen. Besides that, it is super affordable.
Shopping for vegetables and fruits can be done during peak season to lower costs. Canned products are also an ideal solution. Stocking up on dried beans, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta can significantly lower the costs.
12. Eating Once a Day will Promote Weight Loss
One strange thing about the body is that if it doesn’t know when it will get the next meal, it enters into starvation mode and starts holding onto calories. That’s what happens when people eat one meal a day. The likes of intermittent fasting have been known to cause drowsiness and fatigue, thus interfering with other weight loss efforts, such as exercising.
13. Snacks are Bad
Snacks are not bad; it just depends on the type of snacks in question. Regularly snacking on apples, bananas, carrots, or walnuts is a healthy decision. These snacks will keep you full until the next meal.
14. Organic is Better than Conventional Foods
While it’s true that organic food contains fewer chemicals and pesticides, it comes with a higher price tag. Conventional foods are still an excellent choice if the organic options are out of your budget. Just make sure they get a proper rinse before being sent to the kitchen.
15. Frozen Yoghurt is Healthier than Ice Cream
Parents recommend frozen yoghurt instead of ice cream to their children, assuming it’s healthier, but that’s untrue. Frozen yoghurt contains cultured milk, which has a lower fat content than ice cream. However, it also contains high traces of added sugar to mask the tangy flavor of yoghurt. Therefore, it is not the ideal substitute for ice cream.
16. It’s Impossible to Get Proteins from All-Plant Diets
The only difference between all-plant and animal-based diets is that the latter contains all nine essential amino acids. However, consuming a wide range of vegetables, legumes, grains, and fruits can compensate for that. It is 100% possible to get enough proteins from all-plant foods.