Nutrition misconceptions that should not be trusted
Balanced and healthy nutrition plays a key role in maintaining health. However, there are many myths about nutrition that have no basis. Nevertheless, many people continue to believe in them.
Schweizer Illustrierte discusses which nutrition myths should not be taken as truth.
Myth 1. Dark bread is healthier than light bread
In fact, this is not so straightforward. Dark bread is often created using optical illusions.
Instead of using natural dark grains, such as rye or spelt, some types of bread made from white flour are “colored” using malt extract.
This creates a false impression of its benefits, although it actually contains white wheat. Therefore, it is always important to carefully study the ingredients before buying bread.
Myth 2. Fats are harmful to health
This statement cannot be considered universal. Not all fats are the same. Along with harmful saturated fats found in fast food, there are also beneficial unsaturated fatty acids found in avocados and fish.
They are extremely important for the body, just like carbohydrates and proteins, which are necessary for physical and mental functioning.
Myth 3. Citrus fruits are the main source of vitamin C
Do you really think that one bite of an orange will completely replenish your vitamin supply? This is a misconception. The foods highest in vitamin C are not lemons or oranges, as many believe.
In fact, it is bell pepper, which contains three times more vitamin C than lemon.
Myth 4. Carbohydrates contribute to weight gain
This statement also requires clarification. As with fats, it all depends on the type of carbohydrates we consume. Carbohydrates that have not undergone chemical processing are considered beneficial.
Germ and bran remain in whole grains. In contrast, refined carbohydrates (found in white flour and sugar) have neither germ nor bran after processing.
Thus, unlike healthy foods, they do not provide prolonged satiety and can lead to feelings of hunger, which can indeed contribute to weight gain.
Myth 5. The need for two liters of water a day
Drinking enough water is beneficial for health — this is a fact. However, it is worth relying less on the rule of two liters a day and listening more to your body. If the temperature is high or you are actively exercising, you may need much more fluid.
This also depends on height and weight: a tall person needs more water than a short person.
To determine your daily fluid requirement, you can use the following formula: 30 ml x body weight = required amount of fluid per day.
For example, at a weight of 70 kilograms, this will be about 210 milliliters — just over two liters.
Source: 1001sovet
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