We hear so many things in the media about what foods we should avoid,I thought it would be a good idea to dispel some of those myths.

Drinking tea of coffee causes dehydration

Caffeine in both coffee and tea has a diuretic effect, which means your body produces more urine. As you’re going to the toilet more, you’re also losing sodium and water, which in the most extreme cases causes dehydration, but you would need to drink a huge quantity of caffeine for it to have any real effect on your hydration.

Celery and Lettuce have negative carbs

Contrary to belief, there are no foods that contain fewer calories than you burn whilst eating. All foods contain calories and celery, and lettuce is no different. However, they do make very healthy, low-calorie snacks. A stick of celery is only around 10 calories and provides great dietary fibre, among other things.

Eating eggs causes high cholesterol

In comparison to saturated and trans fats which are the common dietary causes of high cholesterol, eggs have a relatively insignificant effect. Not to mention, eggs also contain protein, omega-3, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are very important elements of a healthy diet. According to The Heart Foundation, you can eat up to 6 eggs each week without increasing your cholesterol and risk of heart disease.

Sweeteners are worse for you than sugar

There is no evidence to support the myth that eating artificial sweeteners are any worse for you than other sugars. Both have very similar nutritional properties and are both broken down into fructose and glucose in our digestive system. Approach artificial sweetener in the same way as you would sugar, avoid it where you can and always try to limit your consumption.

Potatoes are empty carbs

Piling your plate high with potatoes is not great in nutritional terms, but one medium baked potato (skin on) is actually very good for you. With around 20% of your daily potassium and 4g of fibre, a baked potato is a nutrient-rich and low-calorie addition to a meal.

Eating at night causes weight gain

The time of day that you eat does not affect your body’s ability to digest foods. It’s not about when you eat but rather how much and what. Late night eating is commonly linked to stress and eating at the end of a long day isn’t a good idea. Also eating high-calorie, high-fat snacks late at night, makes it harder to sleep and ultimately leads to overeating the next day.

Microwaved food has less nutrients

Nutrient loss in food is caused by heat and the length of cooking time. Microwaving uses less heat than conventional cooking methods and is often a lot quicker, so this method helps keep nutrient loss at a minimum. Adding water during cooking can significantly increase the loss of nutrients, so try steaming vegetables instead.

We shouldn't eat fruit as it contains high levels of sugar

Fruits contain high levels of a sugar called fructose, and like any carbohydrate, a lot of energy. However, eating a couple of pieces of fruit a day is good for you. Most of us don’t eat enough of it, and eating whole fruits is a great source of dietary fibre and various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium.

Eating carbohydrates make you gain weight

‘Carbs’ are often associated with potatoes, pasta, bread and rice, and we’re told to avoid them as much as possible. But carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet. In fact, all fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, and sugars contain carbohydrates, and our bodies need them to function.

Different carbohydrates have different nutritional values, and there are plenty of healthy options to choose to ensure you’re getting a range of other benefits. Stick to wholegrain bread, pasta, and cereals as these are fantastic alternatives to foods with added sugars and fats.

Source: https://www.trueprotein.com.au