Food Myths Busted

Michelle Winfield,

Correspondent (Food)

 

Is chocolate evil? Do carbs make you fat? We are constantly bombarded with new research claiming that certain foods can increase the risk of diabetes, heart problems, cancer… the list goes on. Coupled with a few old folk tales passed down from your parents, it can be difficult to sit down with a meal or pick up a menu without wondering whether what you’re about to eat is laden with saturated fat or sugar. I find it hard to crack open a couple eggs without worrying about cholesterol content, or eating a bar of chocolate without feeling a pang of guilt. Not to mention my compulsion to eat five portions of fruit or veg a day. If you’ve ever wondered whether there is any truth to these beliefs that replay in our head as we go food shopping or have a late night snack, then read on to discover five of the most common food myths.

Myth 1 — Carbohydrates make you fat

Carbs, the symbol of evil, get cut from almost every diet that promotes weight-loss. However, contrary to what this may imply, there is nothing inherently fattening about carbohydrates. Whilst eating carbohydrate-rich foods such as white bread, pasta and donuts for breakfast lunch and dinner may not be the best idea, cutting out foods rich in good-carbs such as whole grains, beans and vegetables would mean missing out on vital nutrients and fibre. These foods are often your body’s main source of fuel.

Myth 2 — Fattening foods will make you fat

Fat in moderation is an essential part of any healthy and balanced diet. In other words, an excess intake of fat will inevitably cause weight gain, however it is not necessary to eliminate it altogether. Healthy fats, which are found in whole-foods such as nuts, seeds and avocado, will help you feel full and satisfied.

Myth 3 — Fat-free food is good for you

If we are trying to lose weight, we have a tendency to reach for products labelled “fat-free” or “low in fat”. However, when fat is removed from a product, a lot of the flavor goes with it. Extra chemicals and sugars are therefore often added to replenish this flavor. Also, good fats are often removed from these products. Therefore whilst they may be fat-free, the substituted ingredients are not more beneficial.

Myth 4  — Fresh is better than frozen

Frozen produce is often just as nutritious, if not more so, than fresh. For instance, fruit and veg is often flash-frozen shortly after being picked, this means that hardly any of its nutrient are lost. They are often cheaper too!

Myth 5 — Don’t eat after 6 pm

Food eaten after this time does not automatically turn into fat. Whilst it is true that in the evenings our metabolism slows down and therefore the food we eat will be digested at a slower rate, what we eat throughout the day has a greater effect on weight loss. If we have a bad diet, exercise or activity habit, whether we eat at 5, 6 or 7pm is irrelevant.

 

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons