Nutrition Myths You Need To Stop Believing

Not sure if what you are reading or hearing is myth or fact? Tired of all of the nutrition misinformation? You have come to the right place! Read on to find out the nutrition myths you need to stop believing immediately (and the facts!) and start living a healthy life!

Tara’s Tuesday Tips:

Nutrition Myths You Need To Stop Believing Immediately

• Myth: If you are “skinny” you are healthy:

• Fact: People who appear thinner are not always healthier. Some thin people have a gene that makes their body store fat around their organs instead of under their skin.  This makes them appear thinner, but this is extremely dangerous to the proper functioning of the organs.  People who don’t gain weight easily might actually be indulging in high sugar and high fat foods making them more likely to develop heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.  On the other hand, many people who are thin are struggling with mental health issues associated with their fear of gaining weight including eating disorders, exercise disorders, body dysmorphia, and even orthorexia. This one is at THE TOP of my list of nutrition myths you need to stop believing IMMEDIATELY! We are all on our own life journey.

• Myth: Alkaline eating is the answer to all your problems:

• Fact: If you are eating a high alkaline diet you likely believe that acidic foods make your body acidic and that leads to weight gain and illness.  Science tells us this is just not true.  For many years the human body has been regulating pH pretty efficiently allowing us to survive as a species all these years. If our bodies couldn’t regulate pH, then our organs couldn’t function properly.  Coincidentally, alkaline foods are also the healthiest (green veggies, avocado, chia seeds, tofu, almonds) so it is likely you are eating a predominantly alkaline diet and don’t even know it. Be careful if there is an influencer influencing you to eat alkaline and then is selling you drinks, powders, bars or supplements to keep you alkaline + therefore healthy/skinny. The only thing that is doing is making you spend money on things you don’t need.

• Myth: Some people MUST eat meat to survive:

• Fact: Seriously? People have literally said these words to me.   Yes.  In a casual conversation.  They felt compelled to inform me that they cannot be vegetarian because their body needs meat.  Let’s be clear about a few things.  1- I don’t judge people who eat meat so there is no need to say that to me.  Ever.  2- Wow. Not true.  There are millions of people surviving without ever eating any animal products.  However, there is such a thing termed ‘meat hunger’.  That part is true.  ‘Meat hunger’ is the mind craving the sensory pleasure of eating animal meat and seared fat NOT your body requiring meat to remain alive. It is purely a taste and texture craving not an ingredient craving. Read this: How To Stop Meat Cravings As A Vegetarian.

• Myth: More Protein = More Muscle:

• Fact: More is not always better, but this one is still controversial. Depends on who you ask.  Ask a body builder …. they will say yes, eat more protein.   Ask a nephrologist … they will likely say no, stick to the recommended daily allowance for your weight, height, and activity level. Here is my advice: always eat a variety of foods, don’t sacrifice one food group full of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber to eat more protein as a weight loss tool, and know your personal numbers + body requirements. 
• Check out my articles about vegetarian protein requirements: The Vegetarian’s Guide To Protein, Vegetables with the Most Protein.

• Myth: Vegetarians can’t get enough protein to survive:

• Fact: Yes, you can! There is protein in almost every food we eat. Common, every day foods, not anything peculiar. Most Americans are getting too much protein.  What can vegetarians eat for protein? Organic tofu, nuts, nut butters, beans, legumes, vegetables, chia seeds, quinoa, vegan organic protein powders. Check out my articles above.

• Myth: Sugar is bad for you, even the natural sugar in fruits:

• FACT: FRUIT IS GOOD FOR YOU! LOTS OF IT! 🥝🥥🍇🍈🍉🍊🍌🍍🥭🍎🍏🍑🍒🍓
  • The sweet truth is that fruit has fructose, but it is also loaded with fiber, vitamins, and water. The fructose in fruit hits your liver slowly and is actually good for you. Yes, when fructose is consumed in excess, it can be harmful.  This does not apply to fruit. Here is an example to make it clear:

• • When you consume the apple with its fiber and water, you feel full and satisfied, and therefore consume less food after eating it.  After drinking a 16oz soda with more sugar and more fructose, you break it down very quickly, and then your body is still looking for more food which then gives your liver more work to do. To summarize, the natural sugar in fruit does not pose the same danger to your body as does the sugar in juices and dessert foods. Still curious? Read this: Should You Be Eating Fruit?

• Myth: Everyone should cut out gluten:

• Fact: One thing I do agree with when it comes to cutting out gluten is that when someone cuts out gluten they, in actuality, are cutting out the processed carbs, junk food, and refined grains. Some people need to completely cut out gluten due to an allergy to gluten called Celiac’s Disease. However, the majority of people don’t have this and do not need to go gluten free. If you think you have a gluten allergy, see a doctor or healthcare provider, do not rely on food sensitivity tests!
• Check out my article here where I dive into the gluten free controversy.

• Myth: The only way to lose weight is to cut out carbs:

• Fact: I live on carbs. I am not overweight.  I know, this is observational data, but it is really true for me and many other people.  Please don’t cut out your carbs to lose weight. Eat carbs regularly but eat them wisely.  Lots and lots of the good ones such as fruit, potatoes, rice, spelt flour, and oats to name a few! Eat the others as ‘sometimes’ foods but restriction NEVER ever leads to good outcomes.  Check this out: The Truth About Carbs.

• Myth: You should avoid eating high fat foods:

• Fact: The truth is that fat does not have to be your enemy. ‘Healthy fat’ is something that should be your friend not your enemy.  Let me clear this up …
  • • Fats that are your friends and you should be eating them regularly are monounsaturated fats (MUFA’s) including avocado, olives, nuts, seeds, flax, and chia.
    • Saturated fats include red meats, pork, full fat dairy, and trans fats found in packaged and baked goods and chips. In my opinion, there are no “bad” foods BUT these guys should be something that we aim to not have as part of our everyday meal planning.

• Myth: Eating ‘clean’ has to be expensive:

• Fact: False!! You can eat clean on a budget. In fact, buying frozen vegetables and fruit that is in season can be cheaper than purchasing packaged or prepared foods. Check this out: Guide To Frozen Vegetables (Myths + Methods!). Shop smart by buying in bulk, using dried beans, buy store brands, or eat the leftovers for lunch. I go into lots of detail on this topic here: The Truth Behind Clean Eating.

 Hope this helps you stay healthy, friends!

All the best,

Tara ♥

Do you have other nutrition myths you need to stop believing? Share them! Leave a comment below.  We love comments ❤

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