8 Health Myths You’ve Been Told Your Whole Life
We’ve all heard them – the old wives’ tales about health and wellness that have been passed down for generations. But just because something is commonly accepted as fact, doesn’t mean it actually is. In fact, many of the health “tips” we think are gospel are actually completely false. Here are 10 of the most common health myths we’ve all been told, debunked.
MYTH 1: All carbs make you gain weight
The topic of carbohydrates and weight gain is a controversial one. Some people believe that carbs are the root cause of obesity, while others maintain that it’s the amount and type of carbs that matter most. So, what is truth?
Carbs has been divided into two categories
Simple carbs or refined carbs (found in white bread, pasta and highly processed foods)
Complex carbs (found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables)
Carbs are an essential part of a healthy diet. They provide energy and help us feel full after eating. Not all carbs are created equal.
While it’s true that eating a lot of simple or refined carbs can make you gain weight, it's also true that eating complex carbs can actually help you lose weight and maintain a better health.
Complex carbs are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while refined carbs are not. That’s why it’s important to choose complex carbs over refined carbs.
MYTH 2: Fats are bad for you.
The debate about whether dietary fats are good or bad for you has been around for many years. However, recent studies have shown that not all fats are bad for you. In fact, some fats are essential for your health.
There are mainly two types of dietary fat: saturated and unsaturated.
Saturated fats are found in foods that contain animal products, such as meat and dairy products. Unsaturated fats are found in plant-based foods, such as nuts and seeds.
As per studies, consuming too much of saturated fats can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems. However, unsaturated fats are actually great for your health. These fats can improve your blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, and play number of other health related beneficial roles.
So, not all fats are bad for you.
MYTH 3: Processed foods are bad.
Processed foods are often vilified, but are they really as bad for you as people say?
Foods that are highly processed such as ice-cream, burgers and pizza can be unhealthy because they often contain added sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. However, not all processed foods are bad for you.
For example, Some processed foods, such as frozen fruits, vegetables, yogurt, fruit juices, and whole grain breads are all processed foods and are quite healthy and good for you.
MYTH 4: Fruits has too much sugar.
Some people believe that all forms of sugar are bad for you, while others claim that natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables are fine in moderation.
What's the truth?
Fruits do contain a lot of sugar but that's natural sugar which doesn't affect your health negatively as processed sugars found in candy bars and soft drinks. These types of sugars are loaded with empty calories, and they can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
In addition, apart from being high in natural sugar, fruits provide you with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are all good for our health.
So yes fruits has too much sugar, but that sugar is healthy for you.
MYTH 5: Calories are bad.
A calorie is a calorie, right? Not so fast.
The quality of the calories you eat makes all the difference in the world when it comes to your health.
Yes, calories are bad for you but only if they are coming from food like processed snacks , sugary drinks, refined flours and unhealthy fats.
Calories found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are not bad for you. Also, these foods contain essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly.
Calories are not bad for you, but the type of calories you consume is what you have to take care of.
MYTH 6: White potatoes are unhealthy
There are a lot of conflicting opinions on whether white potatoes are unhealthy for you or not. Some people say that they’re packed with nutrients and minerals, while others claim that they cause weight gain.
So, what’s the truth?
White potatoes are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. They also contain a small amount of protein and some B vitamins. However, they’re also high in carbohydrates, which can cause weight gain if eaten in large quantities.
But overall white potatoes are healthy addition to any diet if consumed in limited amounts.
Potatoes were, in fact, the first vegetable to be grown in space. You haven't seen The Martians, have you?
MYTH 7: All smoothies and juices are healthy
People often think that all smoothies and juices are healthy for you. However, this is not always the case.
Many popular ready to drink smoothie and juices in the market are actually unhealthy for you. They are likely to give you a plenty of sugar and artificial ingredients, which can increase your risk of chronic disease like diabetes and cancer.
It is important to read the labels of any smoothies or juices that you buy to make sure that they are healthy for you.
MYTH 8: High cholesterol foods are unhealthy
While it true that foods high in cholesterol can raise your blood cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Not all high cholesterol foods are bad for you.
Some of the high cholesterol foods include: eggs, nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado, and fatty fish. Do you think these foods can be unhealthy for you? Ofcourse not.
These foods are indeed high in cholesterol levels but they also have healthy fats, which can help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol foods such as baked foods, fried foods and processed meat are the one that are unhealthy for you.
So choose wisely.
