Nutrition Myths

Scrolling through social media, reading your favourite article, or visiting popular websites exposes you to endless information about nutrition and health — most of which is incorrect.

Even qualified health professionals, including doctors and dieticians, are to blame for spreading misinformation about nutrition to the public, adding to the confusion.

Here are some of biggest myths related to nutrition, and why these antiquated beliefs need to be put to rest.

 

Is bread and gluten bad?

Well, water is bad if you drink 30 gallons in an hour, but water isn’t inherently bad. Neither is bread. Some people may be sensitive to gluten (a protein found in wheat/grains), especially if they have celiac disease. And, if you don’t like wheat bread, then you don’t have to eat it! Whole wheat does have a little bit more fibre, but you can just watch your portion sizes when eating white bread.

 

 

Are fats unhealthy?

Contrary to popular belief, fats are SUPER healthy for us. We need fats in our diet for many functions and it’s important to get a good ratio of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The only fat that is truly bad for you in trans fats. This is something you should not consume at all. Eating fat doesn’t make you ‘gain fat’. As this guide has mentioned over and over again, eating more than you burn causes weight gain. 

 

 

Is dairy bad? 

Dairy may not be good for you if you’re lactose intolerant. What is lactose intolerance? Our bodies produce the enzyme lactase that breaks down lactose (sugar in milk) so we can digest it. The National Institutes of Health reports about 65% of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, while only 5% of Northern European decent has lactose intolerance (because they’ve depended on it for longer). 

 

 

If you feel bloated or nauseas after consuming any dairy products then you may have some degree of lactose intolerance. It’s different for everyone mainly due to genetics.

Does eating at night make me gain weight?

That depends how much you’ve eaten throughout the day. Eating at night doesn’t make you gain weight, eating more calories than you burn does.

The problem with nighttime eating is that people tend to overdo it, especially when they’re stressed and tired from work. Eating has a soothing effect on us, especially when we’re indulging in sweets where we tend to go overboard. So no, eating at night won’t make you gain weight, unless you’re in a caloric surplus.