Nutrition Myths Busted

» Posted by on Oct 9, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Nutrition Myths Busted: Butter or Margarine?

1. Eating fat will make you fat – FALSE.

The body needs a certain amount of fat to survive.  Fat makes our cells, protects our organs, reduces inflammation and store toxins in the body that could otherwise cause harm.  Eating too much fat, or too much of anything will cause us to become fat – but just consuming fat alone does not make us fat.

 

2. Organic food is better than conventional food – TRUE.

True organic food is grown on better soil with no pesticides.  It contains higher nutrition values and less chemicals.  The crops are allowed to grow on nutrient rich soil and are crop rotated.  Different plants have different nutrient requirements. For instance corn and tomatoes quickly deplete soil nitrogen and phosphorus. Thus, if you plant corn in the same spot year after year that soil will run low on nitrogen and phosphorus more readily. By changing the location of corn each year, the soil can be replenished with its nutrients and in this example a different crop can be grown on it which does not require the same amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous.

3. You can’t get enough protein from a vegetarian diet – FALSE.

Almost every vegetarian food has protein in it; they just need to be combined appropriately to make sure you get a complete profile.  When done correctly a vegetarian diet can actually help you perform better.  Some of the most powerful animals are vegetarians – Horses, Bulls, Elephants.  Some human athletes such as Brendan Brazier (a vegan triathlete), Martina Navratilova (star tennis player – 18 grand slam titles) are also vegetarians.

4. The more sugar the more you crave – TRUE.

Yes sugar is in fact addictive.  The more you eat, you will in fact want more.  It’s like Lays chips “you can’t just have one”.  It’s easier to consume a low-sugar intake than have a moderate amount.

5. A low-carb diet is the healthiest – FALSE.

Our bodies need carbohydrates to survive; without carbohydrates our bodies would starve; our thinking mechanisms would be impaired.  Carbohydrates provide fuel for our bodies; they give us energy.  The trick is not to reduce carbohydrates to lose weight, but rather to get the appropriate amounts in the right forms.  Good quality carbohydrates from natural, well-grown sources such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and pulses are the most nutritious.  And getting them in the correct balance is the key to health and sustained weight loss.  We must however, address phantom hunger –which is when we’re eating for comfort and not according to our body needs

6. A low-salt diet is the healthiest – FALSE.

Just like fat and carbohydrates, our bodies actually need a certain amount of salt in our diet.  Sodium plays a key role in maintaining the fluid levels in our cells and body and also control the electrical impulses required for muscle and heart functioning.  Once again the key is to get sodium in as natural a form as possible.  Along with sodium our bodies require other minerals – particularly potassium – for our bodies to function normally. A natural salt contains sodium as well as other minerals to maintain its balance; the ideal forms are sea salt or Himalayan crystal salt.  The standard white table salt is not recommended; unfortunately, it has had all the other trace minerals removed and simply contains sodium in a concentrated form with Iodine.

7. Butter is better than margarine – TRUE.

Butter is a natural substance, containing one ingredient –the cream from cow’s milk.  It contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, and while it does have high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats, these two substances are actually required by our bodies in balance.  Margarine on the other hand is a made from vegetable oils, which have been chemically altered to remain solid and spreadable at room temperature.  They contain trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and metal (used in the hydrogenation process).  They also contain artificial colorants and flavourings to make the product more palatable and eye-appealing.  Our recommendation?  Use butter in moderation and make sure your butter is from a good source.  Ensure it is from organically or naturally raised cows, who have been allowed to roam free and eat their natural diet of grass.

8. You can heal just by drinking water – TRUE.

Certain afflictions can be healed using water alone. Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, an internationally renowned researcher, author and advocate of the natural healing power of water, has reversed many afflictions using just water.   Many of us are chronically dehydrated and mistake thirst for hunger.  Both hunger and thirst are controlled by the same faculty and many eat when they feel tired, but in fact what they actually need is water.  A lot of food cravings can be taken care of just by getting an adequate water intake. However, it’s essential to consider the quality of your food choices too, as not all options are equally healthy. For instance, you might be wondering, ‘Are Tyson chicken nuggets healthy?’ Please note: water intake must be done with care – too much water, especially without balancing your mineral intake, can cause serious harm to your health – including death.

9. Artificial sweeteners are better than natural sugar – FALSE.

Again anything natural is better for health than its chemical counterpart.  According to Dr. Mercola, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame  have been associated with:

  • Migraines
  • Change in vision
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Insomnia / sleep problems
  • Abdominal and joint pains
  • Change in heart rate
  • Depression
  • Memory loss
  • Seizure
  • Brain cancer

Natural sugars, such as unrefined honey, unrefined cane sugar, molasses, maple syrup, coconut or palm sugar have a much better impact on your health.  They contain nutrients and are much better for health.  However, they should be consumed in moderation.  Even too much natural sugar can cause poor health – diabetes, weight gain, lethargy, poor concentration and poor moods.  For those of who cannot tolerate sugar (diabetics, those with depression or anxiety disorders or those watching their weight), stevia is a great substitute.  It is an herbal sweetener which does not raise the blood sugar and contains very few calories.

10. Frozen veggies are as nutritious as fresh – FALSE.

The most nutritious source of vegetables is fresh, organically and locally grown.  When they are locally grown, the vegetable is allowed to ripen on the plant and get the most nutrients from the soil.  Consumed raw and fresh is when you will get the highest amount of nutrition.  Fresh and cooked is the next best.  However, for convenience, frozen vegetables are a perfectly legitimate choice.  There are far worse things you could have in your diet.

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