For generations, people have tried to eat healthier. Sometimes they’re urged to do so after going to their doctors for checkups and getting unfavorable reports about cholesterol, body mass index, and blood sugar. In other cases, people decide they need to eat better because they want to maintain good health throughout their lives. Because healthy eating has been such a perpetual goal for people, many associated dietary myths have been created, and continue to be pervasive in society.
All Carbohydrates Make You Fat
In recent years, many people jumped on the no-carb or low-carb bandwagons, often spurred after reading books related to The Atkin’s Diet and hearing about weight loss success stories. As a result, individuals who wanted to eat better were sometimes led to believe all carbohydrates cause weight gain.
Although it’s true you might pack on the pounds by loading up on refined and sugar-filled carbohydrate-rich treats, there are also many healthy carbohydrates you could consume that could aid weight loss. Fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are just a few examples. If you’re considering cutting some carbs out of your diet, do so under the direction of a doctor, and plan on not eliminating carbs completely.
Gaining Weight Occurs Because the Body Can’t Process Foods Correctly
Some people make themselves believe the reason they weigh more than they’d like is because of food intolerances that cause the body to not be able to process foods like it should. However, nutritional experts caution there is no scientific proof that a food intolerance or allergy causes weight gain.
Actually, if you genuinely have a disorder that causes your body to not handle certain foods appropriately, you’ll more likely experience weight loss. If you consistently experience digestive upset after consuming certain foods, get the advice of a physician rather than just assuming you’re allergic. The health professional may ask you to keep a food diary in order to pinpoint exactly what you’re eating and when.
Microwaving Foods Causes Nutrient Loss
Microwaves are certainly very handy for people who want to cook healthy foods without wasting time. But, a common myth gives people the impression that by zapping their foods in microwaves, they’re swiftly getting rid of the nutrients that are naturally present in the things they consume. This belief is a trickier one to debunk than others on this list, because it’s partially true.
When foods are heated, some temperature and liquid-sensitive nutrients get sacrificed. However, this occurs no matter how the items get warmed up, so it’s not just microwaves that are to blame. The length of time, and the temperature at which foods are cooked determines nutrient loss, not the cooking method. With that in mind, there’s no need to unplug your microwave and stash it in the attic for the sake of abiding by your healthy eating intentions.
It’s Too Hard to Eat Well
Some people get discouraged from healthy diets because they think it’ll be too difficult to stick to them. In many cases, they believe it’ll only be possible to buy the proper foods in health food stores.
However, it’s becoming progressively easier for people to find healthy foods in mass-market retailers. For example, consider that the HamptonCreek brand, known for its egg-free mayonnaise and cookies that are free of common allergens, is expanding its distribution network to include Target and Walmart.
Besides discovering it’s easier than you may have thought to get the foods that help you stick to a healthy diet, you’ll also likely find there are many instructional resources you could use to learn how to cook new things you and your family will love. Whether you watch YouTube videos or subscribe to a few healthy recipe blogs, there are tons of ways you can broaden your nutrition knowledge and realize eating better is a goal within your grasp.
Food Cravings Are Caused By Nutritional Deficiencies
It’s often thought individuals crave certain things because they aren’t getting enough of certain nutrients those foods provide. Although that phenomenon occurs for deer and moose, food cravings in humans are usually caused by emotions. They may be more likely to happen if you’re forbidding yourself to have a specific food you love, and are doing so very suddenly. With that in mind, it’s usually best to wean yourself off of beloved foods gradually.
Hopefully, this list of food myths helps you approach healthy eating in a well-informed way. Remember, eating well is a process, not something that happens instantaneously.