Myth #1: Items bought in health food stores are better for me.
(Inspired by relatives at reunion dinner. That's what the general public believes in!)
Fact: Just because a product is sold in a health food store, does not mean it is good for you. Health food products are generally more expensive and offer no greater nutritional value than their supermarket counterparts. Also, terms such as “all natural” have no legal meaning. These products can contain preservatives, additives, cholesterol, and high amounts of saturated fat. For example, a granola bar advertised as “all natural” may contain a greater amount of saturated fat than a candy bar.
Myth #2: “Cholesterol-free” means a product is heart healthy.
Fact: With all the concern about cholesterol and heart disease, numerous companies are promoting their products as cholesterol-free. Blood cholesterol is a contributor to heart disease, but saturated and trans fat increase blood cholesterol levels more than dietary cholesterol.
Therefore, read labels carefully to see if “cholesterol - free” products contain any saturated or trans-fat. Foods such as crackers, cookies, chips, sports bars, and other snack foods often contain palm, coconut, or hydrogenated vegetable oils (which are even more saturated than butter). Look for labels that list the grams of fat and type of fat used. Don’t be persuaded by
misleading advertising.
Myth #3: Honey is better than white sugar because it is natural.
Fact: Many people claim that honey is better than sugar, when in fact they are almost chemically
indistinguishable. Although honey does contain small quantities of minerals, they are present in such tiny amounts that they have little nutritional significance.
Adding on to the list(in relation to dieting):
ReplyDeleteMyth No. 1: No eating after 8pm
The reasoning: There’s rarely any strenuous activity after 8pm, so any food that is consumed isn’t expended and is turned into fat.
The truth: The body will still expend its stores of calories when you go about your daily activities the next day. It expends calories at any time of the day.
However, it is still best to not eat late at night as such snacking is usually on unhealthy junk food.
Myth No. 2: Carbohydrates makes you fat
The reasoning: Carbohydrates (carbs) are turned into sugars, which are then stored in the body as fat.
The truth: The thing that makes you fat is extra calories, not fat per se. If fat is consumed in such a manner that it does not become extra calories, then it will not make you fat.
However, given our current lifestyle, we tend to over-consume carbohydates, leading to the impression that it is carbs that make us fat.
Myth No. 3: Frozen / canned fruits and vegetables are less healthy than fresh ones
The reasoning: They’ve already lost their nutrients because they’ve been frozen and canned up for so long
The truth: According to lifestyleasia.com, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables can actually contain more nutrition as vitamins and minerals in fresh ones may already have deteriorated.
Myth No. 4: Eat less so you’ll lose weight
The reasoning: Take in minimal calories to lose weight
The reality: According to lifestyleasia.com, dieters often gained back the weight they lost within a few years.
It is difficult to adhere to strict diets over long periods of time as the person will feel hungry and/or develop health problems.
It is still best to stick to a moderate diet with reasonable calorie count and pair your meals with physical workouts.
Myth No. 5: Eating fat makes you fat
The reasoning: According to lifestyleasia.com, fat contains nine calories per gram while carbs and proteins contain only four calories per gram. Hence, fat should not be eaten if one wants to lose weight.
The truth: Similar to the above example on carbohydrates, consuming excess calories will cause one to grow fat, regardless of whether it is sugar, fats or carbohydrates.
Fats can be useful in certain ways. According to lifestyleasia.com, it can help you feel full faster and aid in absorbing vitamins and nutrients.
However, one should take note to consume only monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to reduce health risks.
http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Eat+Right/Story/A1Story20110610-283374.html
If you want to diet, diet with caution!