5 misconceptions about nutrition that you must do away with right now

The area of health and nutrition is inundated with information, but it’s important to differentiate right from wrong. That’s why we are here to bust some common myths that will help you in your health and fitness journey!
a balanced meal
Having a balanced meal can help reduce the chance of bloody stools. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Geetika Sachdev Published: 14 Jun 2021, 16:33 pm IST
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There is an overload of information around nutrition, especially with the advent of social media. Unfortunately, some of the trends online are hyped, and serve no purpose to anyone. Falling prey to misinformation is pretty easy, but that’s exactly why we are here to help you! It’s time to learn about some common nutrition myths that will help you progress on your health and wellness journey in a huge way! Ready to find out?

1. It’s only about calorie deficit if you want to lose weight

There’s no denying that having a calorie deficit is important when you have to lose weight, but it’s not the only factor. Just relying on calorie intake is not everything, there are many other things that must be considered. For instance, someone might suffer from hormonal imbalances or hypothyroidism, or there could be another person whose weight might be fluctuating due to certain medications. So, there’s a lot more that goes into weight loss. 

2. High fat foods are unhealthy

Although this myth is slowly and steadily being busted, there are still many people who still think that being on a low-fat diet is important to achieve weight loss. Ladies, dietary fat is essential for optimal health, and if you deprive your body of healthy fat, then you might end up with several health issues. The key is to maintain a diet that has a balance of fats — it shouldn’t be too high or low. 

nutrition myths
Don’t fall for these myths. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
3. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

We’ve heard of this since forever, right? A lot of people say that eating a large breakfast is a must every morning, but that’s not the case with everyone. A lot of studies show that people who engage in intermittent fasting often skip breakfast, and it isn’t bad for health. In fact, intermittent fasting helps with improved blood sugar levels, as well as lowered inflammation levels in the body. 

4. You NEED to eat small meals, every few hours

It is said that eating small meals regularly throughout the day helps to boost metabolism and weight loss. However, if you are healthy, the frequency of your meals hardly matters. It’s all about fulfilling your energy needs! That being said, there are some people, especially those who have certain medical conditions like diabetes, coronary artery disease, and similar diseases, who must eat frequent meals.

5. Non-nutritive sweeteners are healthy

Over the last few years, the reliance on low-calorie, sugar-free foods has only increased. Having a diet that’s high in sugar is a bad idea, but depending on non-nutritive sweeteners is worse. It also increases the risk of disease. You may be surprised to know but these sweeteners make you more prone to lifestyle diseases like diabetes. 

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About the Author

An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town. ...Read More

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