The truth about common nutrition myths

In a world full of vegans, flexitarians and fitness fanatics having a healthy diet and good nutrition is a key component to our lives.
There are so many theories and myths about what is good for us, what isn't, what we should be eating, and how we should live our lives. People seem to think they know what’s good for us, which is all well and good, but are there any facts to prove it? In addition, each person is different so what may be good for the few might not be for the many.
To help put you at ease, here are the top 5 most common nutrition approaches and the truth behind the myth...

Drinking fruit juice

Fruit juices contain more sugar than people may like to admit. Yes, it may be natural sugars if you buy natural and not from concentrate, but the majority are made from water and sugar with added chemicals for preservation and taste. Some can even contain the same amount of sugar that is included in Coca Cola and Pepsi!
Swap your fruit juice for water and eat real fruit instead. This will do much more for your body and health than fruit juices.

Eating 'Superfoods'

When looking for food products you should always check the label. Although foods may be branded as a superfood, it doesn't mean that they don't contain any calories or that they are the best choice. For  example, did you know that 50g of dried goji berries (a supposed superfood) contain 155 calories? But did you also know that 100g of strawberries contain 30 calories? Double the portion and less than half of the calories. Always read the label and don't just trust what you are told.

Whole Wheat

Whole wheat has a lot of nutritional benefits. It contains more fiber than white carbohydrates which regulates your digestive system and helps to keep you fuller for longer. BUT, it still contains a lot of calories and carbohydrates; eating too much of this will still result in weight gain and can increase cholesterol.

Just counting your calories

Although our calorie intake is important to us, you shouldn't focus on this solely. You should also pay attention to choosing the right food to eat and making your body want to lose weight. By eating less sugar and carbohydrates with more protein and fat can help you to lose weight without even counting a single calorie.
Portion Size
Smaller portions does not always equal less calories. You could have a single McDonald's Big Mac Burger but this wouldn't be healthier than a large plate of chicken salad. Nor would it have as few calories. Think about what food you eat more than how much you eat, as better foods will also do a better job of keeping you full and healthy.
If you would like to learn more about our diet and nutrition why not enrol on our Level 3 Nutrition Consultant course today!
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