Of course eating healthy is always a good idea, but it can sometimes be difficult to learn what healthy eating actually is. All the misinformation available from self taught nutritionists and bloggers can make it tricky to actually figure out which foods you should or should not be eating. These four food myths may be very widespread, but they are actually false.
Stay Healthy by Avoiding Fat
When people think of fatty meats or buttery spreads, they automatically start to worry about cholesterol and weight gain. This has led to a wide variety of low fat products that are doing more harm than good. Of course you should try to lower your fat intake if recommended by your doctor, but the reality is that most healthy humans should be eating more fat. Fat helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied, and it provides plenty of tasty flavors. Low-fat products normally compensate for the loss in flavor by adding a bunch of sugar that can just cause blood sugar spikes. Eating fat is not just important because it helps you avoid dangerous low-fat processed food. The right kinds of fat help to keep your hair and skin strong and healthy, and certain fatty acids help to keep the brain and heart strong and healthy. Try to get fat in your diet from nuts, seeds, avocados, salmon, mackerel, and tuna.
You Should Avoid Anything That Sounds”Chemical”
A common type of advice for people trying to eat healthier is that they should always read food labels and only eat the food if they recognize every item. The reality is that many strange, scientific sounding names on food labels are actually just common, safe substances. For example, you might see “carrageenan” on the label for your soy milk, but this is simply a naturally occurring substances found in seaweed that helps to stabilize the product. Instead of avoiding anything that sounds funny, try to actually do research on unrecognizable food ingredients.
Low Carb Diets Are the Best Way to Lose Weight
The recent low carb diet craze has resulted in some people feeling like a slice of bread is the most dangerous thing they can eat. The reality is that carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet. They provide readily available energy so you can get a complete workout. Healthy carbohydrates are also a great source of whole grains and fiber. Getting enough fiber allows you to maintain digestive health and lower your cholesterol levels. Whole grain carbohydrates are so important to health that studies have found whole grain consumption is linked to significantly lower heart disease risks. Low carb diets typically just work because people cut out sugary processed junk food like white bread, cookies, and chips. You can get the same weight loss effects while still eating enough carbohydrates by consuming whole grain bread, oatmeal, barley, and whole grain pasta.
Raw Produce Is Always Better Than Cooked
There are entire diets based around the idea that eating raw vegetables will allow you to ingest maximum amounts of nutrients. This might seem wholesome and simple, but the reality is a little more complicated. Cooking can actually be a good thing because it alters compounds and makes them easier for the body to absorb. A great example of this are cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. The cooking process breaks down glucosinolates in these vegetables to form indoles and isothiocyanates that have powerful anti-cancer properties. Other vegetables that can provide additional antioxidant benefits when eaten cooked include carrots and tomatoes.
