If you’ve ever thought that all carbohydrates are “bad” or that avoiding fat will solve all your problems, you’ve probably fallen for some food myths.
Considering our ever-increasing reliance on social media, trending products, and new fad diets, that’s basically a recipe for misinformation.
Thanks to advances in scientific research, we are constantly learning about the food we eat and the precise role it plays in our bodies and well-being.
So to separate fact from fiction, Kelly Beeson, a nutritional therapist at Meal Prep Services, says: prep kitchen debunks five common food myths.
Myth: Five fruits and vegetables a day are enough.
Beeson says that rather than aiming to eat just five fruits and vegetables per day, this should be viewed as a minimum goal.
“The ‘5 grains a day’ recommendation comes from the World Health Organization’s advice that eating at least 400g of fruit and vegetables every day can help avoid serious health problems,” she added. .
“However, research actually suggests that you should aim for 7 to 10 vegetables each day, with a ratio of 2 fruits to 5 vegetables. , it has been suggested that the effects increase in proportion to the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed.” , So in this case, more is more. ”
Myth: Heating food in the microwave destroys nutrients.
“This is a common misconception,” Beeson explains. “Nutrients in foods are destroyed by heat, while water-soluble vitamins can be lost when soaked in water. These factors are the same regardless of the heating method. Some foods cooked in the microwave , the nutrient content may actually be higher due to the shorter cooking time,” and the fact that it doesn’t need to be soaked in boiling water.
“If you’re considering microwaveable options, this is a great way to meet your nutritional goals without compromising time.”
Myth: Peppermint tea helps with indigestion.
If you’ve ever been told to drink peppermint tea to help with indigestion, Beeson says you might want to avoid it.
“Peppermint tea has long been a go-to natural remedy for indigestion and heartburn. Peppermint tea is an antispasmodic that helps relieve bloating and flatulence, while peppermint’s muscle-relaxing properties relax the lower esophageal sphincter. “It can actually make your heartburn symptoms worse,” she explains.
“This causes acid to flow back up your esophagus, causing acid reflux. If you experience heartburn, consider opting for soothing elm or taking a daily probiotic instead. is needed.”
Myth: All fat is bad for you
“The myths surrounding fat intake were not resolved by traditional ‘fat-free’ diets,” says Beeson. “But fats are essential for health. The body uses fats to build hormones and cell membranes. Fats also help absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E, and support brain and heart health. support.
“The important thing to remember is that there are two types of fat: saturated fat and unsaturated fat. Saturated fat is certainly necessary, but our bodies produce it ourselves, so we don’t necessarily need to get it through our diet. No. They are so-called “essential fats” such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. “But our bodies can’t synthesize them, so we have to get them from our diet. Oily fish, avocados, olive oil, and nuts are good sources of essential fats. They make up about 50% of our daily diet. It should account for 35%.”
Myth: Frozen food doesn’t taste as good as fresh food.
If you’ve ever bought fresh fruits and vegetables instead of frozen because you thought fresh was better, think again.
“We’re programmed to think that fresh is best, and that’s certainly true if you eat it right after you harvest it, for example if you’re growing your own vegetables at home,” says Beeson. says. “But most of the time we buy our fruits and vegetables in supermarkets, where ‘fresh’ produce is often already several days old.
“Frozen foods are typically frozen at peak freshness to preserve nutrients, meaning they can be just as good as fresh, and in some cases even better.”
