Training For Life

Myths—no one knows how they get started. Usually there’s a grain of truth but it fast gets twisted as the story spreads. Nutritional myths are especially long lived. Here are the top 10 nutritional falsehoods.

1. You Can Eat Whatever You Want—As Long As You Exercise.

Yes, exercise burns a lot of calories, but no, you cannot eat that whole ice cream cake yourself just because you pumped iron today. Sorry. Exercising is great but there still are only so many calories you can burn in a workout session. Besides, if you’re working out your body needs healthy food to fuel it through your treadmill routine, so why would you want to eat chips after you get home from the gym?

2. All Carbohydrates Are Bad.

Not at all. Of course there is a difference between a cream cheese slathered bagel and a healthy serving of whole grains. But carbohydrates in general are your body’s preferred source of fuel. Skimp on carbohydrates and you’ll wind up feeling tired, cranky, and light-headed.

3. Okay Then, All Fat Is Bad.

Wrong again. Not all fat is bad, either. You need a little fat in your diet. And certain types of fat—specifically, the mono-unsaturated fatty acids found in nuts, chocolate, olive oil, and seeds as well as the omega-3s found in fish—are really quite good for you.

4. Skipping Meals Helps You Lose Weight.

This could not be more wrong. Skipping meals tricks your body into going into starvation mode, so it instinctively resists weight loss. Plus, how long can you really go without eating? Eventually hunger will take over and you’ll binge on junk.

5. Low Fat Or Fat Free Is Better.

No, it’s worse. Food manufacturers simply replace the fat with sugar or with nasty chemical additives so that the product still tastes good to you.

6. Dairy Products Make You Fat.

If you’re worried about calories in dairy products, just go for the skim or 1% versions. That way you won’t miss out on the calcium and Vitamin D you need. By the way, calcium actually helps you maintain a healthy weight.

7. Eating Late At Night Makes You Fat.

Your waistline does not know what time it is. If you overeat at any time of the day, you will gain weight. If you have a rough day and don’t end up eating your healthy dinner until 10 pm, no harm done.

8. All Vegetarians Are Healthy Eaters.

Vegetarians actually have to work pretty hard to ensure they get the protein, zinc, and iron they need every day, because animal sources are still and always will be the best sources of these nutrients. Whether you include animal products in your diet or not, the overall healthiness of your diet—or the lack thereof—all depends on making wise nutritional choices every day and striving for balance and reasonable portions.

9. Brown Sugar Is Better For You Than White Sugar.

This is not at all logical.

Brown sugar does have trace amounts of certain minerals which white sugar lacks. But in order to get your RDA of these minerals from brown sugar alone, you would have to eat a lot of it. And eating a lot of sugar is not good for you, no matter what color it is.

10. Red Meat Is Unhealthy.

Red meat has a higher saturated fat content compared to some other meats. But the truth is, a chicken thigh can contain just as much saturated fat. Red meat is a great source of iron, so instead of abstaining completely, just buy the leaner cuts.

Posted under Cardio, Diet, Fitness, Health, Lifting