Nutrition
The 7 Most Common Nutrition Myths
Photography, Brooke Lark, Unsplash.com
Nutrition
The 7 Most Common Nutrition Myths
Social media is constantly coming up with new myths regarding health and nutrition.
Which ones are true, which ones are false? We’ve debunked seven common nutrition myths!
1. Carbs are bad for your health
Cutting carbohydrates is often one of the first recommendations when opting for a healthier diet, but this isn’t entirely true. Carbohydrates aren’t bad; whole grain cereals, fruits and vegetables, which are complex carbohydrates, keep you feeling full longer, reduce your sugar cravings, and strengthen your gut flora.
2. Eating late will make you gain weight
Studies indicate that it's simply a matter of not exceeding a certain number of calories, regardless of the time they are eaten. However, studies show that eating later in the evening makes us more inclined to eat less healthy, fattier foods.
Photography, Adobe Stock
3. Fat-free products are healthier
We're seeing more and more "reduced-fat" products on the market, like in cheese and yogurt. Although marketed as healthier, studies have shown that these products often contain more sugar and additives compared to regular products. For example, reduced sugar or “light” foods have sweeteners to add flavour.
4. A vegan diet can cause nutritional deficiencies
A varied vegan diet can absolutely provide all the necessary nutrients to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Those who adhere to a vegan diet should remember to get enough vitamin B12, which is mainly found in meat, and omega-3, which mainly comes from fish.
Flaxseeds, chia seeds and nuts are all plant-based options that have the necessary omega-3s and vitamins. Algal oil can also serve as a substitute for fish oil.
Photography, Adobe Stock
5. Gluten is bad for your health
Have you heard that gluten is the devil? The protein, found in wheat, barley and flour, can cause inflammatory reactions, but studies have shown that these reactions mostly occur in people who are allergic.
A gluten-free diet wouldn't necessarily be healthier since gluten-free products often contain more sugar, fat and salt to mimic the taste and texture of gluten.
6. You should eat protein immediately after a workout
While protein-rich foods can help repair muscles, generally it's advisable to wait between 30 minutes and 2 hours after a workout before consuming it, when your body is ready to absorb the nutrients.
A recent study indicates that the most important thing to recover well from a session would be to consume protein throughout the day, not just after exercise. An exception applies to those who train multiple times a day.
7. Detox diets are good for purging
Detox diets like liquid diets or fasting promise to cleanse the body of all food-related toxins. However, the body is capable of purifying itself on its own without needing a detox—we’ve been doing it for thousands of years!
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