Nutrition can be confusing. There is so much information out there, and much of it is flawed, misinterpreted, or flat-out false. How do you know "What should I eat?"
Why do nutrition myths exist?
- The source of information. Many writers or bloggers who write about nutrition do not have the relevant educational and professional backgrounds.
- How we share the message. The core elements of evidence-based nutrition are not appealing or seductive; for example, “eat your fruits and vegetables.” This statement might be erroneously re-written as, “cure cancer by eating pomegranates.” Such a statement may lead to a myth about the “powers” of eating a certain food.
- Nutrition is science, and we keep learning. 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. But every day we learn more.
- What, how, why, and when we eat ... is complicated.
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.
How do we choose what to eat?
What we choose to eat is complex. Factors that affect what we eat include:
- taste, preference, family taste and preference
- cultural traditions
- budget
- values
- accessibility
- convenience
- time
- social pressures
- nutrition myths.
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.
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.
However, there are many other factors that affect body weight including hormone balance, gut health, and of course genetics.
A diet for optimal health includes many foods with carbohydrates, which are an important 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.
My experience is that some people feel better without eating gluten or just simply by eating less gluten. We have a wheat-rich diet in the U.S. and by shifting to other high-quality whole grains some people will feel better.
Again, each person is an individual and decisions about your diet shouldn’t be made because of what your friend does or what the media is promoting today.
Myth: A vegetarian or vegan diet does not provide enough protein.
Fact: Many vegetarian foods have protein. Vegetarians and vegans can meet protein needs with a well thought out eating plan.
There are many types of plant-based diets. Some people choose to eat mostly plants and occasionally include fish, eggs or dairy. Others choose all plant floods [vegans].
Plant food sources of protein include beans, lentils, soy products (tofu, edamame, tempeh), nuts, and seeds. Whole grains also contain protein.
Vegetarians should choose sources of protein at each meal and snack. Consult a 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.
This is another area where I find each person is different. We have been taught extremes in this area – never eat between meals, or always eat every 3-4 hours.
What works for you?
Depending on your needs, lifestyle habits, meal’s size and composition, a meal with carbohydrates, protein, and fat may keep you feeling satisfied for 3-4 hours or from 5-6 hours.
Snacking can help curb hunger while providing fuel to have energy throughout the day. If you choose to eat every 3-4 hours, choose a snack with both protein and a 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.
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.
There is no “should” when it comes to snacking. You need to find what is best for your body and lifestyle to get you results.
Client Story: Laura was always told in order to lose weight she needed to eat every 3-4 hours. So she always incorporated snacks into her eating plan. Though she lost weight with that plan for some time, when she hit a plateau we talked about other options. I recommended she try shifting to a 3-meal/day eating plan. Laura was so surprised by the results. She immediately broke through the weight loss plateau, and she felt better than she had in a long time. She felt more satisfied with each meal, didn't come to meals overly hungry and was getting great results. What she had always been told wasn't the right fit for her.
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 necessarily need specific foods or drinks 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.
But our body’s may be under greater stress today than in the past and a well balanced and highly nourishing diet can help to support optimal function of our liver and kidneys.
The best way of eating to promote overall health is a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein.
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:
- Be wary of a source that does not list an author or a reviewer, or either person does not have listed credentials relevant to nutrition.
- 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, and exaggerated claims.
- It’s OK to 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. Remember you are an individual and your needs are different from those around you.
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:
- Look for pieces written by authors and/or reviewers with nutrition 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.
Bottom Line
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 it's also OK to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism.
If you are looking for support to find what is right for you to reach your health and wellness goals, contact Lynda today.
