You might’ve come across a lot of information on health and nutrition on the internet. It’s everywhere – on social media platforms, popular magazines, blogs, and websites. Most of the information given is not accurate. Misinformation can be spread by anyone, even by qualified health professionals like doctors and dietitians.
All the misinformation spread in this manner create a lot of confusion among the public. It is the need of the hour to put such faulty information and antiquated beliefs to rest. Here are three of the biggest myths associated with nutrition:
1. Weight loss is all about ‘calories in, calories out’
There’s no denying that burning more energy than you take in creates a calorie deficit. This is an important factor in weight loss. However, it’s not the only thing that’s important. Calorie intake alone doesn’t lead to a large number of variables that might prevent weight loss. This is also true in case of a low-calorie diet.
There are certain hormonal imbalances that lead to health conditions, such as hypothyroidism. Such conditions make weight loss a much harder process for some individuals even when they’re on a strict diet. There are other factors that come in the way of weight loss.
Among them are genetics and certain type of medications. The ones following the ‘calories in, calories out’ concentrate only on the calories in foods. They don’t focus on the nutrient value. This makes them choose low calorie foods that are also low in nutrients. Such foods are not the best for their overall health.
2. Foods high in fat are unhealthy
This is an extremely antiquated and incorrect theory. It has been popularized to such an extent that many people still fear high fat foods. They follow the diets low in fat with a hope that they’ll cut their fat intake and make them healthier. Such individuals forget a simple fact that dietary fat is essential for a healthy body. Low-fat diets carry a greater risk of creating some health issues, such as metabolic syndrome.
They may lead to an increase in triglyceride levels and insulin resistance, which raises the chances of heart diseases. Moreover, the diets that are high in fat are effective in encouraging weight loss. In some cases, they are more effective than the low-fat diets. All it takes is a good diet plan.
3. The most significant meal of the day is breakfast
It was once an accepted fact that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Today, research has shown that this might not be true in case of most adults. In fact, some of the researchers have noted that forgoing breakfast can reduce calorie intake. Many individuals go for intermittent fasting, which involves skipping breakfast or having it later in the day.
This has proven to be of great benefit for them with regards to blood sugar control and reduced inflammatory markers. One can also practice intermittent fasting by having breakfast on time as usual. Then the next meal must be the last one, but earlier in the evening. This would leave the individual with a fasting window of fourteen to sixteen hours.
One important thing to remember is that intermittent fasting must not be done by growing children. Pregnant women and those with increased nutrient needs must avoid it as well. Intermittent fasting also doesn’t apply to those with certain health conditions.
