Listed below are some common myths regarding nutrition. Check them out to see if you have adopted any of these beliefs. Then, read the truth below!
Myth: Your stomach will shrink if you eat less!
Fact: Not true, your stomach will expand to accommodate what you have eaten. Once it passes on to your intestines, it will go back to its original size. If you cut back on the amount of food you eat, your stomach will stay the same size.
Myth: Large doses of vitamin C will cure the common cold.
Fact: Vitamin C is important for helping to fight off infections, but it is not the only element. Too much of anything can be harmful to your health.
Myth: Taking Zinc lozenges will help you recover from a cold.
Fact: There is some evidence that Zinc will help shorten the duration of a cold, but in large amounts, Zinc can be toxic.
Myth: Snacks will spoil your appetite.
Truth: If you have a snack a couple of hours before your meal it should not ruin your appetite. It will help you suppress your hunger pains and you will be less likely to overeat during the meal.
Myth: Snacking makes you fat.
Fact: This is not necessarily true; in fact snacking may help you to control weight. Stay away from snacks that are only high in calories and fat, try to find ones that will help to fulfill your Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for that day.
Myth: In order to stay healthy, you have to sacrifice taste.
Fact: For starters, you can try low fat versions of your favorite items or just have half the portion you would normally have. Or, you can try different spices or vegetables to add flavor to certain dishes.
Myth: Vegetarian Diets are always lower in fat and calories.
Fact: This can be true, but many vegetarian diets include foods that are high in calories and or fat. This can include fried foods, canned foods, salad dressings, cheese, candy or oils.
Myth: Sugar makes you fat.
Fact: In general, eating too many calories from any source can cause weight gain if they are not used for energy. But, getting the calories from sugar, which has no nutritional value may be worse for your body than consuming extra calories from foods that have other elements that your body needs and can use.
Myth: A late dinner is more likely to cause weight gain than eating the same meal earlier in the day.
Fact: It does not make a huge difference when you eat, it is what you are eating. There is some evidence that eating at regular mealtimes will help prevent overeating or impulsive snacking.
