Don’t eat this. Do eat that. We hear so much about what’s good for us or bad for us that it’s hard to know what to believe.
Even if you do the research to see what’s true, there are probably some food myths that you’ve held on to through the years.
Whether you heard a diet expert on TV or it’s what your mom told you when you were a kid, there’s a lot of bad information out there about the foods we eat.
Top 6 “Bad” Food Myths (and the truth)
1. Eggs
Have you ever craved eggs but decided against them due to fears about cholesterol?
The truth is that eggs are one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
When you skip them you rob yourself of more than 6 grams of high quality protein and 13 vitamins and minerals.
The myth that eggs are unhealthy came from the fact that their yolks have 211 mg of cholesterol. But it turns out that cholesterol in food isn’t what’s bad for our hearts – it’s trans fats.
2. Carbs
How many people do you know who say they’ve sworn off carbs? The idea comes from low carb diets that were popular in the 70s. But cutting out all carbs means missing out on a lot of fruits and vegetables, plus heart healthy legumes.
Yes, it’s a good idea to cut out refined and processed high sugar carbs, or “bad carbs.” Those don't do your body any favors.
But you want to eat the “good carbs“ or you'll cut a vital source of fuel and fiber.
3. Red Meat
As is true with eggs, red meat has gotten a bad rap as being bad for the heart.
Eating lean beef is a great way to boost protein levels. It can increase muscle mass and strength and provides a great source of easily absorbed iron.
If you're going to eat red meat, stick to organic grass-fed, pasture raised beef. It has more vitamins and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (the good fats).
Also, if you’re going to grill beef, don’t char it. Doing so has been linked to higher risks for cancer. Opt for rare or medium rare grilled meats instead.
4. Canned and Frozen Vegetables
We all love fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you think canned vegetables have fewer nutrients, then you’ve been taken in by a myth.
When fruits and vegetables are canned or frozen, they hold on to most of their vitamins. By contrast, keeping fresh produce in the refrigerator for too long can lead to nutrient loss.
Of course, boiling can also take away nutrients so steamed or raw fresh organic vegetables are always the best choice.
If you have a condition that has you on a sodium restricted diet opt for frozen over canned or look for low sodium labels on cans. And speaking of salt…
5. Salt
Do you avoid the salt shaker because you think sodium will boost your blood pressure? Unless you suffer from a specific health condition, you need salt to maintain your fluid balance.
Sodium is an electrolyte, and without enough of it you can actually increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
TweetI like to use Himalayan Pink Sea Salt because it has more trace minerals that increase hydration. It's a purer salt and you'll love it's powerful flavor.
6. Chocolate
Did your mom ever tell you that chocolate would make you break out? Hopefully you didn’t listen. Not only is that a myth, but chocolate has important health benefits.
It contains flavanols, powerful antioxidants that help insulin sensitivity, improve artery function and even reduce stress. Just make sure it's at least 80% cacao to reap the benefits. I recommend Cacao Bliss! Enjoy real chocolate packed with health benefits like no other!
Yours in health,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your friends and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
