Every day in the media and online, we come across numerous myths and misconceptions about diet and health. These misunderstandings can be misleading, often preventing people from making the best choices for their health.
It is essential to debunk these myths and empower yourself with evidence-based information to help you make healthier choices. These myths emphasise the complexity of nutrition and the importance of personalised nutrition related advice.
Myth: Fresh is More Nutritious Than Frozen
Many people believe that fresh fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than frozen ones. However, frozen fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and frozen immediately, preserving their nutrients.
On the other hand, fresh produce often travels long distances and sits on store shelves, during which time nutrient degradation can occur. Both fresh and frozen produce are healthy choices and it’s great to include a variety of both in your diet.
Myth: Detox Diets and Cleanses are Necessary for Health
Detox diets and cleanses are often promoted to remove toxins from your body and promote health. However, our bodies are designed to detoxify themselves naturally through organs like the liver and kidneys.
No scientific evidence shows detox diets or cleanses help eliminate toxins or lead to long-term weight loss.
Myth: All Fats are Bad
One of the most common misconceptions about nutrition is that all fats are bad for your health. This is not true. Fats are an essential part of our diet and provide the body with energy, absorb certain nutrients, and produce important hormones.
There are different types of fats: unsaturated (good) fats and saturated and trans (bad) fats. Unsaturated fats, found in foods like avocados, nuts, and olive oil, can help reduce levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. Saturated and trans fats, often found in processed foods and fast food, can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease.
Myth: High-Fat Foods are Unhealthy
Contrary to the belief that all high-fat foods are unhealthy, certain sources of dietary fat are essential for optimal health. Indeed, low-fat diets have been linked to a greater risk of health issues, including metabolic syndrome. They may increase insulin resistance and triglyceride levels, both known risk factors for heart disease.
In fact, diets higher in good fats have proven just as effective or even more so than low-fat diets when it comes to encouraging weight loss. Of course, extremes in either direction may harm your health, especially when diet quality is poor.
Myth: Carbohydrates Lead to Weight Gain
Carbohydrates are often portrayed as the enemy when it comes to weight gain. The reality is that carbohydrates are a necessary part of a healthy diet, providing the body with energy.
The key is to choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which provide long-lasting energy and are packed with fibre, helping you feel full and satisfied. Refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pastries, lack these benefits and can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
Myth: Gluten-free Foods are Healthier
Gluten-free diets have become popular in recent years, and many people believe that gluten-free foods are healthier. Unless you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, there is no need to avoid gluten.
Gluten-free products are often less fortified with vitamins and minerals and can be higher in sugar and fat to compensate for the texture and taste that gluten provides.
Myth: “Calories in, Calories out” is all that Matters for Weight Loss
While creating a calorie deficit by burning more energy than you consume is a crucial factor in weight loss, it’s not the only factor that matters. The “calories in, calories out” theory fails to account for several variables that may prevent someone from losing weight. For example, hormonal imbalances, health conditions like hypothyroidism, metabolic adaptations, the use of certain medications, and genetics can make weight loss much harder for some people, even when they’re on a strict diet.
This concept also fails to emphasize the importance of diet quality for weight loss. Focusing solely on the calorie value of foods can lead to choosing low-calorie, nutrient-poor foods over higher-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, which isn’t the best for overall health.
Myth: Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day
The importance of breakfast has always been a topic of contention. While it was once thought that eating breakfast was one of the most important factors in setting up a healthy day, research has shown that this might not be the case for most adults. For instance, skipping breakfast may result in reduced calorie intake if it doesn’t result in overeating during the rest of the day. Moreover, partaking in intermittent fasting, during which breakfast is either skipped or consumed later in the day, has been linked to a plethora of benefits, including improved blood sugar control and reductions in inflammatory markers.
However, this does not apply to growing children and teens or those with increased nutrient needs, such as pregnant women and those with certain health conditions, as skipping meals may lead to negative health effects in these populations. Ultimately, whether you choose to eat breakfast should depend on your personal preference and lifestyle.
Myth: Skipping Meals Can Help You Lose Weight
Skipping meals, especially breakfast, is often believed to aid in weight loss. However, skipping meals can lead to overeating later in the day when hunger kicks in. It can also cause your metabolism to slow down as a response to maintaining energy levels, which is not beneficial for weight loss.
A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and portion control are more effective strategies for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.
Myth: You Need to Eat Small, Frequent Meals for Optimal Health
Eating small, frequent meals regularly throughout the day is a method used by many people to boost metabolism and weight loss. However, if you are healthy, the frequency of your meals does not matter if you meet your energy needs.
However, those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as those who are pregnant, may benefit from eating more frequent meals.
Myth: Macronutrient Ratio Matters More than Diet Quality
While tweaking macro ratios can benefit health in many ways, the most important factor in any diet is the quality of the foods you eat. Although macro coaches may lead you to believe that the ratio of macronutrients in your diet is all that matters when it comes to weight loss and overall health, this narrow-minded take on nutrition is missing the bigger picture.
Even if it is possible to lose weight by eating nothing but highly processed foods and protein shakes, focusing solely on macronutrients discounts how eating certain foods can either increase or decrease metabolic health, disease risk, lifespan, and vitality. The best way to promote overall health is to follow a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, regardless of the macro ratio.
Myth: Non-nutritive Sweeteners are Healthy
With the rise of low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, sugar-free foods, there has been an increase in products that contain non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). While a diet high in added sugar significantly increases disease risk, intake of NNS can also lead to negative health outcomes.
NNS intake may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by leading to negative shifts in gut bacteria and promoting blood sugar dysregulation. Regular NNS intake is also associated with overall unhealthy lifestyle patterns.
Myth: White Potatoes are Unhealthy
White potatoes are often labelled as “unhealthy” by those in the nutrition world and are thus restricted by many people wanting to lose weight or improve their overall health. However, while eating too much of any food can lead to weight gain, white potatoes are highly nutritious and can be included as part of a healthy diet.
They are an excellent source of many nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Plus, they are more filling than other carbohydrate sources like rice and pasta and can help you feel more satisfied after meals. The key is to enjoy potatoes baked or roasted, not fried.
Myth: Dairy products are bad for you
While some people are lactose intolerant and need to avoid dairy, for others, dairy can be a healthy part of the diet. Dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health.
Myth: Superfoods are a cure-all
The term “superfood” is more of a marketing term than a scientific one. While so-called superfoods often contain high levels of certain nutrients, no single food can provide all the nutrition your body needs. It’s the overall pattern of your eating that most affect your health.
Myth: Microwaving food destroys its nutrients
While it’s true that any cooking method can destroy some nutrients in food, microwaving is actually one of the methods that do the least damage. This is because it uses little heat and does it quickly, reducing the amount of time nutrients are exposed to heat.
The world of nutrition is complex, and it’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another due to individual differences in genetics, lifestyle, and other factors. One of the most effective ways to achieve a healthy diet is to focus on consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods and maintaining a balanced lifestyle that includes regular physical activity.
In the face of these widespread myths, it’s crucial to make dietary decisions based on solid scientific evidence and personal health needs, rather than following popular trends or misconceptions. Always remember that a registered dietitian or a healthcare provider should be your primary source of information when making significant changes to your diet or health routine.