Some health myths feel like they’ve been around for almost as long Greek myths which were first written down nearly 3000 years ago. Health and wellness is a complicated subject, so it’s no surprise that many faulty or outdated beliefs persist.
It has been well said that half knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance. Social media is full of information on diet and nutrition and this information is large and easy to access, and it can be very overwhelming for the readers when the statements are claimed as true on some platform and a myth on other platforms. Best-case scenario, following bad advice, means you unnecessarily avoid your favorite foods. Worst-case, you end up choosing the unhealthier option all while thinking you’re making a better choice.
We are debunking the top three common health myths it’s best to put aside once and for all.
Myth #1
Artificial sweeteners can help you lose weight and control diabetes
Artificial sweeteners are chemicals used to replace sugar. Artificial sweeteners are 10X times sweeter than sugar and are one of the primary ways to combat weight gain and diabetes. Fat loss happens with an overall dietary change and proper exercise. Replacing sugar in your daily coffee or tea mugs with a more harmful substance will only satisfy you psychologically. If you continue eating pizza with diet coke, you will never lose those extra pounds. Diabetes may result in obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, bad diet, stress, and genetic factors. A person with no physical activity, living in stressful conditions, having saturated fats and a diet high in refined carbs is prone to be diagnosed with diabetes whether they use or don’t use artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners also have various side effects such as memory loss, depression, weight gain, metabolic syndrome and anxiety to name a few.
Myth #2
Dietary fat consumption makes you fat
Fat, as the name suggests will surely make you fat is the most common myth among weight watchers. Fat is looked down upon due to many self-proclaimed experts on nutrition. Creating a buzz among the fitness market is labeling every product as fat-free. Many of you are not aware that fat plays a very crucial role in your diet. It is a transporter for fat-soluble vitamins, helps maintain body temperature, insulates your organs, and supports hormone balance and cell growth. There are 2 types of Fat – Good Fat and Bad Fat. Good fat can be found in milk and nuts whereas bad fat or saturated fat can be found in fried/junk food. Weight watchers tend to reduce both good fat and bad fat for weight loss, which disrupts many functions in your body such as hormone balance. Hormonal imbalance means poor thyroid and metabolism which eventually hinders weight loss.
Myth #3
All carbohydrates make you gain weight
Carbohydrates have been demonized as the primary reason for weight gain. It is believed that all carbohydrates make you gain weight whereas complex carbohydrates such as millets, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables with low glycemic index do not contribute to weight gain. Whereas, refined carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, bread were eaten in large quantity increases the chances of weight gain and metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension. Carbs are our body’s preferred source of energy. It fuels the brain, kidney, heart, muscles and central nervous system. Just be mindful of choosing your carbs correctly.
It is easy to find healthy eating advice from all around us. However, this does not mean that every healthy advice we receive is “good advice”. Nutrition research can be confusing, and it’s always changing. Always look for a scientific reasoning before accepting all statements as true and following it in your routine.