As you put together your weight loss plan, it can be difficult to sift through the mountains of nutritional advice on the internet. On top of that, a lot of that advice is based upon complete myths! The following five myths have been debunked for quite some time now, but not everyone has caught up with science. Ignore any “advice” based on these myths, and remember to come see us for expert nutritional guidance.
Margarine is better than butter. This myth originated back when we thought all fats were bad. Now, we know that even if margarine is lower in overall fat content than butter, the trans fats they do contain are actually worse than the naturally-occurring saturated fat in butter. Plus, margarine if often full of added chemicals. If you want to use a non-butter spread, look for one made from olive oil.
Salad is always the best option at restaurants. You protest tonight’s restaurant choice, but your friends drown your concerns in the old “just order a salad” mantra. Not wanting to rock the boat, you go along with their advice. But because of fatty dressings, cheese, bacon, croutons, and even fried toppings, that salad might not have been the best choice. If you do order a salad, look for oil-based dressings, a source of lean protein, and healthier additions like walnuts.
Organic means healthy. Organic versions of leafy greens and fruits are often the healthier choice, yes. But packaged snack foods that are labeled “organic” are still packaged snack foods! Organic snack foods can still contain added sugar.
Low-fat snack foods are better. “Low fat” is another marketing buzzword that can mislead you into thinking you’ve chosen a healthier option. If a food is naturally low in fat, such as an apple, then it is a great snack choice. But packaged snack foods advertised as “low fat” usually contain plenty of sugar to make up for the flavor lost by substituting low fat ingredients. Calories are still calories, and these “low fat” snacks won’t necessarily benefit your weight loss plan.
Eggs are bad for you. We used to think that foods containing cholesterol, like eggs, would translate into higher cholesterol levels in the people who eat them. Now we know that in most people, eating cholesterol from sources like eggs does not actually impact cholesterol levels. It’s saturated fats that you really have to worry about, and eggs are actually low in that type of fat. Plus, they’re a terrific source of protein.
