There are so many food myths and misinformation around that it’s sometimes hard to know what is actually good for you and what we should be eating.
Top Food Myths people believe :
Myth 1: Juices help reduce weight and cut calorie intake.
Fact: Juices have concentrated source of energy and additional sugar content. Consuming whole fruit is more beneficial for health
Myth 2: Oranges are the best natural source of vitamin C
Fact : Strawberries actually contain more Vitamin C than oranges (57mg/100g compared to 42mg/100g for easy peeler oranges). Just seven strawberries provide the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C which contributes to the normal function of the immune system along with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Myth 3 :Carrots help you to see in the dark
Fact : This is a myth but carrots do contain Vitamin A which is important for good vision.
Myth 4 : Refined oils are 99% fat free.
Fact : All refined oils,irrespective of their composition,are 99% fat. It may vary across trade names. 1 tea spoon of refined oil contains 45 Kcal.
Myth 5 :Too much of any fruit rots your teeth
Fact : Fruits which have a high acid content can damage the enamel of your teeth if eaten excessively. However, the sugar in most fruits will not rot your teeth.
Myth 6 :Nuts are fattening & to be avoided in order to lose weight.
Fact: A handful of nuts can be part of a healthy weight loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat. However.they contain healthy fats and are a good source of protein, dietary fiber and minerals like magnesium & copper.
Myth 7: Steam or Sauna helps in weight loss.
Fact: These stimulate muscles; boost sweating; will result only in short term loss of fluid but cannot reduce body fat. No sooner you drink a glass of water, original weight comes back.
Myth 8 : You have to workout for 45 minutes at a stretch to get benefit from exercise.
Fact: Plenty of studies show that walking 30 minutes, three times a week,too benefits tremendously. Ideally, your target should be at least 30 minutes 5 times a week.
Myth 9 : Skipping breakfast help you lose weight
Fact : Some people skip breakfast to cut their food intake and try to lose weight, but research shows the opposite is actually true. Eating a high fibre, low GI breakfast helps keep you fuller for longer which means you’re less likely to snack on high-fat and sugary foods mid-morning. In fact, studies show people who skip breakfast especially children and mothers , are likely to weigh more than regular breakfast eaters .
Myth 10 : Fresh vegetables are more nutritious than Frozen vegetables.
Fact: Research has consistently found fresh and frozen vegetables to have a similar nutritional value, with frozen vegetables actually sometimes having more. With so many people struggling to eat enough vegetables each day, having a steady supply of vegetables handy in the freezer can be an easy and cost effective way to eat more. That said, growing your own vegetables in your garden and eating them shortly after picking is a highly nutritious and super cheap way to get in more of the good stuff!
Myth 11 : Coconut oil is good for you.
Fact:There is very little (if any) scientific support for many of the claims that have been made about the health benefits and healing qualities of coconut oil. Although coconut oil may be better for your cholesterol levels than butter, it still is 90% saturated fat! While it can increase good ‘HDL’ cholesterol it also increases bad ‘LDL’ cholesterol.
While a small amount of coconut oil is okay occasionally, quality unsaturated fats like olive oil or canola oil are a better choice for health. They not only help to increase good ‘HDL’ cholesterol but more importantly decrease bad ‘LDL’ cholesterol too.