11 nutrition myths
Thanks to the internet, nutritional information is available at the click of a button. But how do you separate fact from fiction? We asked Registered Dietitian Leslie Beck, author of eight nutrition books, to give us the scoop on what myths actually deserve the hype.
Myth: Fat makes you fat
Truth: "It's true and false," Beck says. While fat itself doesn't create fat, "Fat, whether it's margarine, olive oil, or butter, is a concentrated source of calories. If you eat a lot of fat in your diet, you're going to consume a lot of calories, and yes, that can make you gain weight."
Before you axe fat from your diet, note that all fats aren't bad. Unsaturated fats, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for optimum health, and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Health Canada recommends adults get 20-30 per cent of their daily calories from healthy fats, so choose wisely – your waistline (and heart) will thank you.
