The world is filled with misconceptions about healthy foods, and your friends are no exception. However, it is good to understand that you can correct these misunderstandings by educating yourself on the facts. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common healthy food misconceptions people have:
- “I don’t like the taste of vegetables.”
This one is pretty common. It’s also completely untrue. Vegetables can be delicious, and you should try to eat more of them. If you find yourself saying this, ask yourself why you feel this way. Is it because you’ve had bad experiences in the past? Or maybe you just haven’t tried some new ones yet. Either way, there are plenty of ways to make veggies more appealing. Try adding spices or sauces, or simply cut them up into smaller pieces. You might also want to consider juicing them instead of eating raw. Juicing takes out all the fiber, so you get a cleaner-tasting product.
- “I don’t like the texture of fruit.”
This misconception comes from the fact that many people think fruits are too soft. But if you give them a chance, you’ll realize that most of them are actually quite firm. Apples, bananas, pears, peaches, etc., are all good examples of this. And while it’s true that some fruits (like watermelon) are very juicy, others (like apples) aren’t. So what does this mean for you? Well, it means that you shouldn’t avoid any kind of fruit. Just pick the right ones for you, and you won’t regret it.
- “I’m allergic to nuts.”
Nuts are an excellent source of protein, but unfortunately, they’re often thought of as being unhealthy. People who say they’re allergic to them usually do so because they’ve heard that peanuts contain something called histamine. While this is technically true, it doesn’t apply to other types of nuts. In reality, nuts are full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they’re extremely high in calories, which makes them perfect for weight loss.
- “I don’t like fish.”
Fish has gotten a really bad rap over the years, thanks in part to the mercury levels we used to consume when we ate tuna every day. These days, however, mercury is found only in certain kinds of seafood – primarily swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, and albacore tuna. Even then, the FDA recommends limiting your consumption of these fish to two servings per week due to the risk of mercury poisoning. That said, fish remains an important part of a healthy diet. Not only is it loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fats, but it’s also rich in vitamin D, calcium, and lots of B vitamins.
- “I don’t eat meat.”
If you’re vegetarian, you already know how easy it is to fall into this trap. After all, meat isn’t nearly as hard to come by as it was back in the day. There are tons of different options available today, including soy products, tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils, seitan, and even nutritional yeast! As long as you’re getting enough iron, zinc, magnesium, and B12, you’re going to be fine.
- “I don’t drink alcohol.”
Alcohol may seem like a great idea at first: You can have fun without having to worry about driving home safely, you can fit in those holiday parties, and it tastes great. The problem is that alcohol is empty calories, meaning that they provide no real nutrition. Sure, you may lose some weight drinking it, but that could easily be attributed to dehydration. Instead, fill your glass with H20 or sparkling mineral water and keep hydrated.
- “I don’t snack between meals.”
Snacking is a habit that needs to be broken. If you find yourself constantly reaching for chips, crackers, cookies, candy, and the like, chances are you’re not eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day. When you skip out on breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you put your body in starvation mode, which slows down your metabolism and depletes your energy reserves. This causes cravings for sugary foods that add unnecessary pounds to your frame. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, make sure to include three square meals and one or two healthy snacks in each day.
- “I don’t need to exercise.”
It goes without saying that exercising regularly is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, there are plenty of ways to get moving without leaving the house. Start slow by taking a brisk walk around the block after work once or twice a week. Once you build up your stamina, try adding squats, lunges, pushups, planks, crunches, jumping jacks, burpees, and more into your workout routine.
- “I’m too old to start working out.”
Working out doesn’t mean you have to spend hours sweating it out in the gym. In fact, many people who are older than 50 actually enjoy cardio workouts because it helps them stay active and keeps their bodies young. Try walking, running, swimming laps, dancing, biking, hiking, playing tennis, or doing yoga instead. Just make sure to check with your doctor before starting any new fitness regimen.
- “I’ll just have one serving.”
We’ve all been there. You order a salad, thinking that you’re being smart and watching what you eat. But then you take the first few bites and suddenly realize that you’ve had way too much food. Next thing you know, you’re stuffed and bloated. Don’t let this happen to you. Take control of your health by ordering smaller portions.
Conclusion
Healthy living is something we should all strive for. It’s important to remember that our diets play an integral role in keeping us healthy. By following these 10 common misconceptions about healthy foods, you can avoid making unhealthy choices that will only lead to weight gain and other health problems.
