When it comes to diet and nutrition, it is hard to decipher nutrition facts from nutrition myths. That is what we are here for. Due to confusion in the information out there, people may continue to make mistakes on how they eat.
To make matters even worse, this may lead to believing in some nutritional myths that are not based on scientific research but personal opinion. Below is a list of four nutrition myths that are not true.
Nutrition Myth 1: You need to stop eating carbs in order to lose weight.
Excess carbohydrates encourage weight gain because they are converted into glucose and stored in the body as fat. However, you can still eat foods that are rich in carbohydrates and still reach your weight loss goals.
Whole grains are a good source of healthy carbohydrates. Whole grains make you full for longer and contain fibers which are good for digestion.
Nutrition Myth #2: Believing that gluten-free food is healthier.
Unless you have a condition that limits the intake of gluten, gluten-free foods are not in any way healthier. When the gluten is extracted from these products, other substances such as sugar or salt are added into the product in order to compensate for the missing gluten.
[Related article: 3 Fad Diet Myths Busted]
Nutrition Myth #3: It is healthy to drink 8 glasses of water every day.
Water is very important for normal functioning of the human body, but at the same time people are different and bodies function differently. Drinking 8 glasses of water every day is not a sure way of remaining healthy to everybody.
A good rule of thumb is this: the darker your urine, the more water your body needs, while the more transparent the urine, the less water you need.
Nutrition Myth #4: Fruits have too much sugar.
Sugars in fruits are much more healthy than processed sugars. Excess processed sugars are stored in the body in the form of fats. Fruits contain naturally occurring sugars that is released into the body slowly giving the body the much needed energy to push on for longer.
For help from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with clarifying food and nutrition information that is evidence and research based, contact us to schedule an appointment today.