Just call us Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, because we are about to BUST some myths up in here. Dynamite not necessary.
You probably know by now that fat doesn’t make you fat and that most wine doesn’t have much sugar after all. But there are many other persistent food myths that just won’t go away.
From the widespread to the just plain weird, here are a few that we all need to stop believing.
1. The body treats all sugars the same.
We often get comments like: “Carbs convert to sugars – the body doesn’t know any difference!”. But while simple carbs do need to be eaten in moderation, these kinds of sugars (glucose) are the preferred fuel source for almost all the cells in your body. Also, vegetables contain glucose, too!
On the other hand, fructose (which makes up half of table sugar) is mainly processed by the liver and is strongly linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol and other more serious health conditions.
2. Vegetable oil is the healthiest fat.
Rejoice! That tasteless yellow stuff in the plastic squeezy bottle isn’t the best oil for you after all. Vegetable oils can be very high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Sunflower and corn oils also release high levels of aldehydes, linked to cancer.
Looking for a better choice? Extra virgin olive oil is full of antioxidants and has demonstrated powerful anti-cancer activity. Plus, it tastes SOOO much better!
3. Raw foods are healthier than cooked.
The reasoning behind a raw food diet is flawed. It’s true that raw foods do have higher levels of vitamins, but many plants require cooking to break down cellulose and indigestible molecules so we can absorb those nutrients efficiently.
Some veggies that have been proven nutritionally available cooked include carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes. Plus, breaking down those fibres has got to be easier on one’s digestive system!
4. Don’t eat carbs after 7pm.
Sorry, but carbs don’t know how to tell the time. The theory is that your metabolism slows down at night, meaning that more carbs will be converted to fat. However, there is very little scientific basis for this.
However, it’s probably a good idea to avoid eating a big heavy meal close to bedtime. Going to bed with a big belly full of food could lead to discomfort, reflux and general digestive sluggishness.
5. Frozen produce is less nutritious than fresh.
Don’t let the plastic packaging fool you. Manufacturers often freeze the produce immediately, preserving more nutrients than the “fresh” stuff that’s been sitting on shelves for days. Plus, packs of frozen veg are less likely to be coated in preservatives, because, well, they’re frozen.
Case in point: Sarah says, “freezing stops the starch in peas and corn from breaking down into sugars, helping them to retain vitamins, fibre and minerals and making the frozen versions fresher than the, um, fresh ones.”
What food myths have you heard that you would like us to look into?
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