You’ve likely heard a lot of nutrition myths. For instance, there’s a popular claim that carbs are bad for you. Take a moment to browse your social media profiles or read a few websites online, and you’ll find even professional doctors claiming that you should ditch carbs.
Indeed, the claim is so strong that some celebrities now have “carb-free” diets, which they sell to their fans who’re looking to lose weight. Some will go as far as to form slogans such as “Lose 15kgs in two months” or Shed 40 pounds in 3 months.”
Interestingly, these carb-free diets rarely work. Only about 5% of people who strictly follow a carb-free diet ever achieve their weight loss gains.
It tells you one thing – that not everything you hear about nutrition is true. Unless you verify your claims, you may end up following “tips and hacks” that are harmful than beneficial to your health and wellbeing.
10 Other Nutrition Myths Busted
Below, we burst 10 other common nutrition myths to help you separates the facts from unverified claims.
1. Weight loss is all about calories
This is perhaps the biggest misconception today – that limiting your calorie intake is the shortcut to weight loss.
Fact: Calories aren’t the only culprit in weight issues. Hormonal imbalance, health conditions such as hypothyroidism, certain medications, and genetics are just some of the other factors that may contribute to weight gain.
2. High-fat foods are unhealthy
Besides calories, fat is arguably the most demonized nutrient today. Any food with significant fat levels is instantly dismissed as bad for your health and a threat to your life.
Fact: Fat, in large quantities, is bad for you. However, the body also needs dietary fat for optimal health. Moreover, low-fat diets are linked to a greater risk of metabolic syndrome and higher insulin resistance.
3. Bread is not good for your health
Find any so-called “healthy diet,” and you’ll notice that the first thing creators of these diets eliminate is bread. Why? Because bread allegedly makes you fat.
Fact: Bread will not inherently make you fat. What’s most likely to make you fat is overeating bread and accompanying it with other high-calorie foods.
4. Organic food is more nutritious
Everywhere you go, people are championing organic foods. Indeed, in some areas, if you’ve not switched to an organic diet, it may seem like you’re digging your own grave.
Fact: While most organic foods are healthy, not all organic foods are healthy. A blanket pronouncement that “organic food is healthy” increases the risk of binging even on unhealthy organic foods.
5. Vegan and vegetarian foods are healthier
One of the reasons veganism and vegetarianism are on a sharp rise is the growing misconception that ditching animal-sourced foods and eating animals is bad for your health.
Fact: While veganism and vegetarianism have many benefits, going vegan isn’t the magic pill to great health. Moreover, vegan diets deprive you of critical nutrients such as zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.
6. Red meat is bad for you
There are claims that red meat increases the risk of cancer, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and heart disease.
Fact: Red meat is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various other nutrients that your body needs to remain healthy.
7. Egg yolk is bad for you
Eating egg yolk is often linked to a higher risk of LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. As a result, taking egg yolks is prohibited in some quarters.
Fact: Yes, eggs increase bodily cholesterol. However, clinical studies are yet to find links between egg yolks and cardiovascular disease.
8. Salt is bad for your health
Sometimes you wonder if there’s anything that’s good for your health. Then you hear that salt is also bad for you, and you might give up entirely.
Fact: Some people are sensitive to salt. If you’re sensitive to salt, then too much of it exposes you to hypertension. Otherwise, salt is perfectly healthy.
9. Dietary supplements are the only way out
This is a favored line of thinking pushed by supplement companies and health oligarchs. The common argument – today’s plants and animals are lacking in nutrients. No wonder more than 1/3 of Americans are hooked on dietary supplements.
Fact: You can have a healthy diet without including dietary supplements. More importantly, supplements have their issues and can only supplement but not replace healthy diets.
10. “Natural” foods are healthier
This myth is so entrenched that it’s almost impossible to convince people otherwise. As soon as we see “Natural” on the product label, we automatically think that’s the one.
Fact: First, it’s important to note that most brands only use the term “Natural” because it sells. Additionally, a “natural” food only means the product has no artificial ingredients. It doesn’t mean that the cow wasn’t given antibiotics or hormones before becoming a food product.
Summary
It’s your job to verify whatever information you read online or hear from so-called “nutrition experts” to determine the truth. Otherwise, you may soon have to avoid food entirely.