The technology and information age has provided the average person with invaluable resources and knowledge. Need to find out a quick fact? Google it.
But not everything you read is accurate. And the fitness and health industry is one of the worst culprits when it comes to spreading misinformation. False facts and interpretations spread like wildfire.
It gets incredibly confusing, especially to the average person who doesn’t have a degree in health or science.
So let’s talk nutrition. What common advice should you avoid?
Myth #1: Eliminate Sugar From Your Diet.
This is a big one. And it’s been trending for a while. Sugar is blamed for various detrimental health effects. So, you’re told to eliminate it. Avoid it.
But.. it’s not all bad. Sugar (glucose) is the body’s primary and preferred energy source.
However, keeping a close eye on your blood sugar is a good idea, especially if you’re working on lowering your body fat percentage or are diabetic. And generally, you want to make sure you avoid blood sugar spikes or lows.
It comes down to ensuring you regulate your blood sugar via a healthy and balanced diet including appropriate amounts of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fat). But again, you don’t need to avoid sugar entirely. Just monitor it and make sure you’re eating everything in moderation (again, special precautions may apply if you’re trying to lose fat or are diabetic).
Myth #2: Avoid Dairy.
Dairy is blamed for breakouts and weight gain. Individuals also tend to avoid it due to digestive upset. Yet, there are various types of dairy. And dairy contains valuable nutrients, like calcium. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you don’t necessarily need to avoid it. Just find a type you can digest easily!
Myth #3: Stay Away From Carbs or You’ll Gain Weight.
The low-carb diet is the “it” diet. But again… Your body prefers sugar and glucose for energy over anything else. Carbs are broken down into glucose in the body. And if you switch to low carbs, you may end up fighting off serious cravings. As a result, you may also throw your metabolism out of whack, which doesn’t help you lose weight or maintain any weight lost.
Instead, include a balance of all macronutrients, including carbs, in your diet.
Myth #4: Fat-Free Means it’s Healthy.
Fat-free doesn’t necessarily equate to healthy. In fact, healthy fats are good for your body. And fat-free can still mean the product is high in calories or other nutrients. Remember, balance is important! Too much of anything can cause issues. Read the nutritional label before purchasing “fat-free” products.
Myth #5: You Need to Detox Regularly.
Here’s the thing: Your body does a great job all on its own when it comes to cleansing and detoxing. That is… if you give it the right foods and environment to do so. You don’t need to go on any special cleanse. In fact, these “cleanses” aren’t really doing much detoxifying or cleansing anyway. You may lose weight quickly. But then the question arises, can you maintain it without the cleanse diet? Is the cleanse diet sustainable? Not really.
The best diet comes down to balance. And the best way to lose weight is to focus on proper nutrition and moving more. Don’t believe everything you read! Find the science behind it before you dive into that next quick fix that might not be so-quick or sustainable after all.
If you’re ready to make a permanent and healthy lifestyle change, NuLifeBalance can help you. We create custom nutrition and exercise plans, as well as work with you to improve your life and make it what you want it to be.