Nutrition can be confusing. There is so much information out there, and much of it is flawed, misinterpreted, or flat-out false. So why do nutrition myths exist?
Some reasons relate to who is putting the nutrition information out there. Although the intent may be good, many writers or bloggers who write about nutrition do not have the relevant educational and professional backgrounds.
Other reasons relate to the messages themselves and how we share them. The core elements of evidence-based nutrition are usually not as appealing or seductive; for example, “eat your fruits and vegetables.” This statement might be erroneously re-written as, “cure heart disease by eating broccoli.” Such a statement may lead to a myth about the “powers” of eating a certain vegetable. (Definitely not knocking the benefits of vegetables here but nutrition claims can get a little carried away).
Like in all sciences, we continually learn more about nutrition through research. There is still a lot we don’t know about food and nutrition.
Lastly, what we choose to put on our plates is rarely simple.
How do we choose what to eat?
What we choose to eat is complex. Factors that affect what we eat include our tastes and preferences, our family’s tastes and preferences, cultural traditions, budgets, values, accessibility, convenience, time, social pressures, and yes, nutrition myths. Here’s the thing: There is no one way of eating that works for everyone because we are navigating all of these factors when we choose what to eat.
Some nutrition myths persist because of how some people draw on their personal experiences and the experiences of those around them. For example, if me and my friends try a diet and it works for all of us, then our human bias might lead us to believe that this diet works for everyone. We might want to share it on our Instagram pages in an attempt to help other people. While well-intentioned, this is a flawed way of interpreting nutrition science and sharing advice.
We should embrace the many reasons why we choose what to eat. However, we should leave nutrition myths out of this decision. Let’s look to credentialed health professionals to separate myths from facts.
What are examples of common nutrition myths?
- Myth: Carbohydrates cause weight gain.
Fact: No one nutrient, food, or food group causes weight gain.
Weight gain is complex and cannot be attributed to just one food or food group. In general, weight gain will result when we consume calories in excess of what our body needs to maintain body weight. I’ve also heard the myth that excess protein won’t cause weight gain. This is also false. Any food in excess of our individual needs cause weight gain. However, there are other factors that affect body weight.
A diet for optimal health includes many foods with carbohydrates, which are our body’s preferred source of energy. When it comes to carbohydrates, consider the quality. Choose carbohydrates that offer other nutrition including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Complex carbohydrates with fiber digest and absorb more slowly than simple carbohydrates.
Examples of high-quality carbohydrates include whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans, and lentils. - Myth: Foods with gluten are unhealthy.
Fact: Only some people need to have a gluten-free diet.
Gluten is a group of proteins found in cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. People who are diagnosed by a doctor with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid foods with gluten. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten results in damage to the small intestine. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is an intolerance to gluten that results in similar symptoms to celiac disease but is not diagnosed as celiac disease. With both conditions, a gluten-free diet will help manage symptoms.
For a person without these conditions, foods with gluten can be part of an overall healthy diet. Emphasize foods that offer more nutrition, such as choosing whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains with gluten include wheatberries and farro. - Myth: A vegetarian or vegan diet does not provide enough protein.
Fact: Many vegetarian foods have protein. Vegetarians and vegans can meet protein needs through careful planning.
There are many types of vegetarianism. Some vegetarians eat eggs, dairy and/or fish. Other vegetarians choose mostly or all plant floods [vegans].
Plant food sources of protein include beans, lentils, soy products (tofu, edamame, tempeh), nuts, and seeds. Whole grains also have protein, although they wouldn’t be considered a source of protein or a protein food.
Vegetarians should choose sources of protein at each meal and snack. Consult your doctor and registered dietitian about your protein needs. - Myth: Snacking is unhealthy.
Fact: Snacking can be part of healthy eating, even when weight loss is a goal.
Depending on our needs and a meal’s size and composition, a meal with carbohydrates, protein, and fat will keep us full for an average of 3-4 hours. In general, most people have a greater time window than 3-4 hours in between meals.
Snacking can help curb hunger while providing fuel to have energy throughout the day. Choose a balanced snack with both protein and a starchy carb, fruit or vegetable. Examples include peanut butter and apple slices, a hard-boiled egg and berries, roasted edamame and carrot sticks, or hummus and celery sticks or crackers.
A snack with just carbohydrates, like pretzels, will be digested quickly. This may result in the quick return of hunger and may potentially lead to overeating at the next meal or snack. A balanced snack with protein, carbohydrates, and fiber digests more slowly, keeping us full for longer.
Another reason to include fruits and veggies in snacks is because many people may have trouble fitting them into mealtime. Snacks are an easy way to have an additional serving of fruits and veggies. - Myth: Juicing or cleansing is required to “detox” your body.
Fact: Our body has natural mechanisms through which to detox.
Juices or cleanses claim to aid weight loss, improve skin health, and detox the body by removing toxins, etc. However, there is no one food or diet that can deliver on these promises. In fact, some cleanses, diets, and supplements may be harmful. Talk to your doctor and registered dietitian before taking supplements or following a diet.
We do not need specific foods, drinks, or diets to detox because our body does that for us. Specifically, our liver and kidneys remove waste from our bodies while helping maintain hydration and process medicine and alcohol, among other functions. The lungs and skin are also involved in detoxification.
The best way of eating to promote overall health is a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein. This way of eating can include other foods too but eaten in smaller amounts less often.
So you ask what nutrition “red flags” should I look out for?
The internet and social media are filled with potential land mines of misleading nutrition information. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- Read “.com” sources with a critical eye. While some may provide credible nutrition information, “.com” indicates a commercial domain, so they intend to make a profit.
- Be wary of a source that does not list an author or a reviewer, or either person does not have listed credentials relevant to the field.
- Look for a date when the article or post was published. An article or post without a published date may not provide the most current information.
- Assess whether the website or social media page sells products, including both food and supplements. Companies that sell products may be pushing their own agenda in conjunction with offering nutrition information.
- Evaluate websites and social media for marketing gimmicks. Gimmicks may include weight loss guarantees, celebrity spokespeople, extremely restrictive diets, exaggerated claims, and greenwashing.
- Listen to friends and family but do your own research. Although friends and family mean well, they may be perpetuating myths by sharing information that’s specific to their personal history or experiences.
How can I find credible nutrition information?
Credible nutrition information can seem hard to find amidst other information sources. Utilize these strategies to find information that you can count on:
- Seek out .org, .edu, and .gov sources. Read articles critically. If the information sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Look for pieces written by authors and/or reviewers with relevant credentials. Check the date published and peruse the source list.
- Do your own research. Rather than taking what someone else says at face value, read about the topic yourself, seeking several high-quality sources.
- Consider the body of evidence, rather than a single scientific study, to inform thoughts and opinions.
- Follow dietitian bloggers and social media accounts by looking for “RD” and “RDN” after their names.
- Ask a credentialed healthcare professional like a registered dietitian or a medical doctor.
- Be open to new ideas. Like all fields, nutrition evolves. We continually learn from research studies and deepen our knowledge of nutrition science.
It is difficult to sort nutrition facts from fiction. Follow these strategies to find nutrition information and if in doubt, ask a credentialed healthcare professional like a registered dietitian. Keep an open mind but maintain a healthy dose of skepticism.
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