10 Myths About Healthy Eating You Need to Know

Sometimes, preconceived ideas about healthy eating can be hard to get rid of, but so often we deprive ourselves of too much because of them. That’s why Psychology Today Article with the help of Bright Side put together some of the most popular healthy diet claims so we can debunk them.

Myth #1. Eating after 6 pm is bad for your health

This superstition is as old as the hills. With our pace of life, having a meal after 6 pm is not just healthy — it’s common sense. Many people today go to bed later than our ancestors did, and starving may damage your health. The truth is that you shouldn’t eat three hours before going to bed, and the dinner should be light.

Myth #2. Fat is harmful

Fat is often considered bad for your health and shape, but it’s not exactly true. You can’t digest food normally without it. It helps metabolize vitamins A and E, and if there’s not enough fat in your body, it almost stops producing hormones. Lack of fats also result in your skin ageing faster and damage being done to your liver. That’s why you should limit your consumption of vegetable oil, for instance, but not exclude it completely. The best idea would be to eat less food that contains hidden and usually unhealthy fat, such as sausages, mayonnaise, cookies or cakes.

Myth #3. Snacks are unhealthy

Snacks are a necessity. If you care about your health, you should top up your energy from time to time. However, these refills should be balanced: have some nuts or fruit, for example.

Myth #4. All organic food is healthy

Products marked as ’’organic’’ (i.e., produced with no GMO, pesticides, or additives) are often no different from their common counterparts except for their high cost.

Myth #5. Carbohydrates should be avoided

There are simple and complex carbs, and the former are really due for cutting. You can find them in sugar, chocolate, honey, jam, sweet fruits and drinks, white bread, and potatoes. However, if you want to eat healthy, have more complex carbs, such as grains, beans, berries, vegetables, and greens.

Myth #6. Fruit and vegetables are useless after refrigeration

Modern freezing technologies allow you to preserve almost all of these food products’ healthy elements.

Myth #7. Separating nutrients helps you lose weight

The enzymes produced by the digestive tract are capable of handling proteins, fats, and carbs all at the same time. There is no scientific evidence that separating them helps in any way. People who choose this diet are usually just very thorough when picking foods; they cut the energy consumption and so they in turn lose weight.

Myth #8. Brown bread is healthier than white bread

If the bread is brown, it doesn’t necessarily have a lot of fiber. The ’’healthy’’ brown color could be due to caramel in the dough. The energy contained in brown bread is almost the same as in white bread, and you could gain weight in either case. The healthier kinds are whole-grain breads or crispy breads.

Myth #9. Juices are as beneficial as the fruit themselves

Juice has next to no fiber, and the amount of vitamins and minerals is significantly lower in the juice than in the fruit itself. That’s why it is better to eat fresh fruit whenever you can.

Myth #10. Sushi and rolls are diet food

If you just eat sushi and rolls, you probably won’t gain much weight. However, white rice used to make these foods is not the healthiest of products. The real culprits are soy sauce, mayonnaise, and fatty cheese — products that will make you gain weight in no time.

Source: Brightside.me