I found this piece from My Fitness Pal, an online ap that I don't use frequently enough, to be interesting and I thought I'd pass it along. I'm guilty of assuming some of these things, and it's probably one of the reasons its hard to lose weight. Wonder if you are, too.
If you click on the link, you can read the whole article and the reasoning behind each statement. But here's a summary:
Myth 1: Egg yolks are bad for you. Wrong. While eggs—the yolks included—are high in cholesterol, they are relatively low in saturated fats. And that's what's really bad for you.
Myth 2: Coffee is dehydrating. Wrong. Coffee is an extremely mild diuretic, but it counts towards your needed fluid intake and two or three cups a day are completely fine.
Myth 3: Natural sugar is different from added sugar. Misleading. On a molecular level, the sugar in an apple is the same as the sugar you spoon into your coffee cup. But, sugar in a whole fruit comes with fiber and helps slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes, which is better than sugar without other nutrients.
Myth 4: Organic food is automatically healthy. Misleading. Organic cookies, crackers, chips, and candies have the same amount of sugar, fat, and empty calories as non-organic versions. Re produce, choosing organic versions of the “dirty dozen”— foods that typically have the highest amount of pesticides—can reduce chemical exposure.
Myth 5: Margarine is better than butter. Wrong. Margarine became popular in the fat-is-bad era, but many brands contain trans fats, which are worse for you than the naturally occurring saturated fat in butter. And some fat is actually good for you.
Myth 6: Salads are always the healthiest menu option. Misleading. All the add-ons piled atop a bed of lettuce can make the sugar, fat, and calorie count just as high as a mouthwatering burger.
Myth 7. Low-fat versions are better than the originals. Not necessarily. When fat is removed from foods, it’s usually replaced by sugar or salt, so read the ingredients first. Usually, you’re better off eating a small serving of the full-fat kind so you actually enjoy it and feel satiated.
Myth 8. Everyone benefits by giving up gluten. Wrong. Gluten-free foods also can be high in sugar. If you think you might be sensitive to gluten, or have any of the symptoms of Celiac disease, see an R.D. to ask about being tested. If wheat products don’t make you feel crummy, swearing off them isn’t going to make you any healthier.
Feel better now?