Food Myths and Facts

In a world obsessed with healthy eating, it can be a tall order to figure out which food claims are real and which are false. It seems more and more that are people becoming immediately convinced that if a new food trend emerges, it must be true.

With that in mind, here’s the skinny on a few of the most popular food myths.

Myth: Fat and Sugar will Both Cause Weight Gain

In actuality, there are numerous types of good fats that your body needs to be healthy. And contrary to popular opinion, they won’t lead to weight gain. The reason most people believe eating fat will lead to a big belly is because the fatty things they’re eating are also loaded up with sugar - the real cause of most weight gain.

Many fast-food franchises routinely load up their products with sugar. Any time you go to a fast-food chain and order a burger (or any item containing a wheat-based product for that matter) chances are the bun has been baked with some degree of sugar.

When the body processes fat, the fat you eat is converted into energy for later use. Your body knows how to deal with and store it for later use. Of course, if that energy isn’t used it will be stored in fatty deposits, but fat energy is readily burned off by even minor exercise.

Sugar contains far more calories than fat, and refined sugar specifically carries no nutritional value. It gives you far more energy than you need, which results in fatty deposits far greater than what fat would otherwise provide to you.

Fact: Not All Carbs are Created Equal

Just like fats, there are good and bad kinds of carbohydrates. Refined carbs are bad, and are found in processed foods like white bread, sweets, and soda. Good carbs are found in fruits and vegetables.

The key is to diversify your diet. Include a varied regimen because consuming any one type of carbohydrate in too great a quantity can, in fact, lead to weight gain. A healthy diet’s foundation is comprised of healthy carbs, protein, and fat.

Myth: You Should Always Eat Breakfast

The truth of the matter is that some people just don’t have an appetite when they first wake up. The reason a lot of people swear by always eating breakfast is that they feel they overeat later in the day as a consequence.

If you’re the type of person who isn’t hungry in the morning but also doesn’t want to overeat later in the day, simply have a small meal mid-morning to curb your cravings. This will prevent eating large portions later on and help you keep your weight under control.

Fact: Eggs aren’t Bad for Your Heart

Many people have believed for years that eggs are bad for your heart. Well, in reality, eggs have little to no impact on raising cholesterol. In truth, eating fast food, hydrogenated fats and commercial baked goods, along with genetics, contribute far more to arterial plaque build-up.

It has been proved that most healthy people can eat 1 to 2 eggs a day with absolutely zero negative consequences.

Know Your Food

It can be tempting to believe all the latest food fads. But like with all things, it behooves you to always do your research if you’re unsure about the facts.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and the celebrities who often swear by the latest trend may not have the scientific data to back up their claims.

The most important decision anyone can make about their nutrition is to eat a healthy diet they can sustain. It does you no good to eat a diet that keeps you hungry and makes you miserable.

Happy and healthy eating everybody