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10 Nutrition Myths You Shouldn't Believe

10 Nutrition Myths That You Shouldn't Believe

This piece is inspired by a recent nutrition-related chat I had with someone. We discussed fast foods like noodles and their health benefits. But then I noticed that he was speaking from the general public's point of view, he started with the notion- noodles are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances, and as such shouldn't be eaten at all.🤯

However, there is no definitive answer or confirmation to the above statement. 

He claimed that people living abroad were not really affected by its negative effects because of their *fine* weather. I was so stunned at this point that I couldn't speak for a moment and just stared in shock. I never experred it. I never imagined that someone educated and, dare I say, a bit exposed, could come to that opinion about the food we eat.

It is vital to remember that in this day and age, it has become so easy to access information and data that we can simply type anything into the search bar and results will appear. We are even more fortunate to be able to communicate with licensed doctors online to verify said results. For free!

So, it makes me wonder why we continue to believe in so much erroneous information instead of reading and conducting our own research on those topics.

Nutritional myths have always been around; In this post, we will be looking at 10 of them, why they are myths, and provide the facts to debunk them.


♦Myth 1: You have to cut out all sugar

Myth 1: You have to cut out all sugar

There's been a lot of talks lately about cutting out sugar, but is it really necessary? There's no doubt that sugar is a major contributor to weight gain and other health problems, but it's not the only factor. 

Even though sugar has been linked to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay, it's usually because most people eat too much of it.

If you're trying to lose weight or improve your health, reducing your sugar intake is a good place to start. This means cutting back on sodas, juice drinks and other sugary beverages. But you don't have to go completely sugar-free. Just be mindful of your sugar intake and make sure to balance it with healthy foods that contain the rest of your nutritional needs.

After all, nutrition is all about making sure that you eat everything in a balanced ratio and in moderation.


♦Myth 2: Carbs are bad for your health

Myth 2: Carbs are bad for your health

The amount of misinformation out there about carbs and their impact on our health is crazy. Many people believe that carbs are bad for our health and that we should avoid them as much as possible. However, this is simply not true. Carbs are an essential part of our diet and can actually provide several health benefits.

For one, carbs are a major source of energy for our bodies. They help us to stay active and alert and are essential for physical activities. Also, carbs can help to regulate our blood sugar levels and provide us with important nutrients like fibre.

So, next time you're considering cutting carbs out of your diet, think again, because they may not be as bad for you as you think.


♦Myth 3: Multivitamins will make up for an unhealthy diet and lifestyle

Myth 3: Multivitamins will make up for an unhealthy diet and lifestyle

This is one of the biggest myths about vitamins and supplements. Honestly! Just because you take multivitamins doesn't mean you can eat an unhealthy meal and live an unhealthy lifestyle. In fact, taking a multivitamin should be seen more as a complement rather than a substitute *while* on a healthy diet and living a healthy lifestyle. The best way to get the nutrients your body needs is to eat a variety of healthy foods and to actually pursue an active lifestyle.

Sorry folks, there's no easy way out.


♦Myth 4: You need to drink 8 glasses of water every day

Myth 4: You need to drink 8 glasses of water every day

Do you know that there is no scientific evidence to support this claim? In fact, the amount of water you need depends on such a varying number of factors like your activity level, the climate you live in, and your overall health that it's inadvisable to stick to a set amount *every single day*. While it's important to stay hydrated, drinking eight glasses of water a day is not necessary for most people.

Remember that there is such a thing as water poisoning- yeah, you read that correctly- and it can have potentially serious consequences for the individual involved.


♦Myth 5: All processed foods are unhealthy

Myth 5: All processed foods are unhealthy

First of all, there is a lot of confusion about what counts as "processed" food. For some people, anything that's not a whole, unadulterated food is processed, while for others, only foods that have undergone extensive processing are considered to be processed.

The truth is--there are healthy and unhealthy processed foods, and it all depends on the ingredients in the food and how that food has been processed. For example, whole wheat bread is a processed food, but it's made with healthy ingredients and isn't loaded with sugar, fat, and chemicals. On the other hand, processed food like a Munch it is purely for snacking on and has very little nutritional value. (Sorry, but someone had to say it!)

So, when it comes to processed foods, not only is it important to read the labels and choose wisely, but also you should do yourself the favour of not substituting it for one that's obviously meant to be taken as a guilty pleasure.

There are plenty of healthy, delicious, and nutritious processed foods out there- you just need to know what to look for.


♦Myth 6: Fat makes you fat

Myth 6: Fat makes you fat

This is one of the most persistent myths about diet and nutrition. I mean it's called "fat" so it should make you fat, right?

Wrong! The truth is that fat does *not* in fact make you fat. A calorie is a calorie, regardless of whether it comes from fat, carbohydrate, or protein. Fat is actually quite essential to our bodies. It helps us absorb vitamins, provides energy, and protects our organs. The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to balance the calories we eat with the calories we burn, not run away from poor old Fat who's done nothing wrong.


♦Myth 7: If a food is labelled "fat-free," then it doesn't contain any fat

Myth 7: If a food is labelled "fat-free," then it doesn't contain any fat

Ha! You wish. Now, this is a common misconception too. It's important to know that just because a food is labelled "fat-free" doesn't mean it's completely devoid of fat. In fact, most "fat-free" foods still contain a small amount of fat - it's just that the amount is below 0.5 grams per serving. So while "fat-free" foods may be a lower-fat option, they're not necessarily fat-free.

Why do people hate fat so much? (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)


♦Myth 8: Supplements are good for your health

Myth 8: Supplements are good for your health

There's no doubt that taking supplements can be beneficial to your health. However, there's a lot of misinformation out there about what supplements are actually good for, and how much you should take them. It's crucial to do your research and talk to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen, as taking too much of certain vitamins and minerals can actually be harmful to your health. Surprisingly very harmful.


♦Myth 9: If a food is labelled "natural," then it is healthy

Myth 9: If a food is labelled "natural," then it is healthy

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the term "natural" when it comes to food. For some people, it means that food is free from chemicals and artificial ingredients. For others, it simply means that food is minimally processed. In reality, there is no definitive definition of "natural" when it comes to food. As such, it is better to *not* automatically assume that a food labelled as "natural" is automatically healthy.

Instead, take the time to read the nutrition label and ingredient list to make sure that the food is actually healthy and right for you.


♦Myth 10: We swallow eight spiders per year in our sleep

Myth 10: We swallow eight spiders per year in our sleep

When I saw this myth, the first thing that popped up in my head was "Who comes up with all these things 😳?"

I had to stop for a minute, stare at the ceiling for about 5 seconds and roll my eyes impulsively.

The idea that we swallow spiders in our sleep is disturbing alright and I'm guessing it stems from the fact that spiders sometimes enter our houses through open windows or doors and can squeeze into the unlikeliest spaces 

But! Spiders are more likely to *avoid* humans than to seek them out, and they are not known to deliberately enter people's mouths, and thank God for that!

So, while it is possible that a spider could end up in your mouth while you are asleep- by accident- it is very unlikely that you would swallow eight of them in a year. Except, of course, you sleep with your mouth open and have an almost supernatural penchant for accidents.

[And a little something that you might enjoy reading after this is "how the male spiders deceive the female spiders while mating". Trust me you're going to love it!]

Sorry I mistakenly popped all your bubbles on the fantasy of superfoods, I didn't mean to, 🥺 but most of them are a hype. So don't believe just anything you read and remember I preach consume in moderation.

The truth is that most dietary myths are founded on faulty logic, flawed science, and inaccurate information. Fortunately, you're smarter than the typical bird who can read this piece and are aware that these tall tales should be avoided. Now go educate others! 👊 You have my blessings. 🥰

To access other amazing posts under this category; click me 🥺

Fun facts:

╥ Attempting to commit suicide was once considered illegal in England, and was ironically punishable by death!

⁠╥ You are always able to see your nose. Your brain just chooses to ignore it.

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6 Comments

  1. Spot on. One thing most people fail to understand in that everybody's nutritional requirement is unique, Understand what your body needs and respond accordingly. And moderation is key Thanks for sharing another gold piece.

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    1. This is spot on facts! we shouldn't forget to always prioritise your health. Always a pleasure having you.

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  2. Nice article, so many myths destroyed today. Thanks for the information

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    1. Thank you, this is what we do. The goal is to improve the spread of true/factual nutrition and lifestyle information and I can't do that without you. Always a pleasure having you.

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