Surprisingly, many of the health tips we read about the most — and take for granted — are not always true. Here are 5 popular nutrition myths that don’t hold up to the facts.
Myth #1: Eating healthy is too expensive
Not necessarily. Although it may take more planning and prep time, having a healthy menu on a budget is possible. Here are some tips to make eating better more affordable:
- Prepare a shopping list beforehand, and stick to it
- Shop fruits and vegetables when they’re in season
- Pay attention to sales and plan meals accordingly
- Sales are also a good time to stock up on staples, such as whole-wheat pasta, lentils, brown rice, dried beans and more
Myth #2: Chilled drinks help you cool down
This sounds like common sense, but in reality, consuming cold liquids slows down digestion, which increases toxins throughout your body. This summer, consider keeping drinks at room temperature or only slightly cool.
Myth #3: You should eat less or lighter in the summer
Lighter meals like salads can be refreshing and energizing. However, you should still aim for a balanced diet during the warmer months. Look to include whole grains, proteins and nutrient-dense foods as well.
Myth #4: Certain foods burn more fat
Unfortunately, no foods burn fat. And none make you lose weight faster. You may hear some people swear by foods such as grapefruit, cayenne pepper or vinegar, but those changes lack nutrients your body needs and are hard to stick to. Any weight loss that happens in such cases are temporary because of reduced calorie intake and will likely come back once you stop.
Myth #5: Frozen and canned veggies are less nutritious than fresh
Not so! Both can provide key nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. What’s more, produce is frozen and canned at peak ripeness, which preserves nutritional value and keeps it at its healthiest levels a lot longer.
Myths like these can lead to misconceptions. Finding out the truth can help you make better choices day to day and eat much healthier overall.