There is so much noise surrounding nutrition advice that it can sometimes be quite difficult to decipher what’s fact and what’s faux. Most of the things you see on social media, in magazines, or on popular websites are false, and in some cases the people who are spreading all of this misinformation are health professionals themselves! Here at Wellhaus we always promise to present accurate, well-rounded nutrition advice that is rooted in scientific fact. Nutrition should be simple, so we are going to debunk some of these myths to make your life just a little less confusing!
High fat foods are unhealthy.
Many people think that high fat foods lead to weight gain, or that high fat foods can impede on health status. There are many different types of fats that exist, and while some are more nutritious than others, dietary fat is essential for optimal health. Dietary fat provides energy, helps with nutrient absorption and brain function, and can make you feel fuller longer. When consumed in moderation, dietary fat can actually be extremely beneficial for your health!
Following a low calorie diet is the best way to lose weight.
While the calories in versus calories out equation is an important component of weight loss, reducing calorie intake too much can lead to metabolic adaptations and long-term health consequences. While going on a very low calorie diet can result in rapid weight loss, it can also decrease your metabolism and increase hunger cues. Lower calorie diets are unsustainable, and in the long term they typically result in weight gain after the initial weight loss is experienced. If you want to lose weight, a more moderate calorie deficit would be beneficial.
Sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes.
White potatoes get a bad rep in the nutrition world when compared to sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are both considered root vegetables, and when considering their nutrition profile, both types are highly nutritious. 3.5 ounces of white potatoes contains 92 calories, 2 grams of protein, 0.15 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbs, and 2.1 grams of fiber. 3.5 ounces of sweet potatoes contains 90 calories, 2 grams of protein, 0.15 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbs, and 3.3 grams of fiber. While sweet potatoes are often placed on a pedestal, the two types are quite similar and both hold a place in a healthy, well-balanced, nutritious diet.
Non-nutritive sweeteners are healthy.
There is a rising interest in low calorie, low carb, sugar-free foods, which has led to a glut of new products containing non-nutritive sweeteners. A diet high in real sugar significantly increases disease risk, but intake of non-nutritive sweeteners also has the potential to negatively impact your health. They can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and negatively impact your gut microbiome.
You have to eat organic to be healthy.
If you have the opportunity to eat organic you should, but not everyone has access to fresh, organic foods. Furthermore, there is not sufficient evidence to support that organic food should be preferred over inorganic foods. The nutrient content of organic foods does not differ much. You will always benefit from eating fruits and vegetables, no matter how or where they were grown.
The nutrition world is packed with loads of misinformation, which can often lead to understandable mistrust of health professionals and confusion about dietary choices. Coupled with the fact that science is always evolving, it’s no wonder that people have such a warped view of what a healthy diet is meant to look like. Educating yourself by utilizing reliable resources, consulting well-established health professionals, and doing a bit of your own digging will help you feel more empowered to create and maintain a sustainable diet that works for you and your lifestyle.
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