Eating Healthy Foods - Myth versus Fact

Admit it! Deep down inside you have a desire to start eating healthy foods so you can maybe shed a few pounds, feel better physically, or just feel better about yourself in general.  But as lunch time rolls around, you pass by the neighborhood Mickey D’s and it’s almost as if a gravitational force of nature takes over. Before you even realize what happened, you’re wiping the Big Mac mustard stains from your greasy, salty fingers and suffering through a guilt trip that you’ve promised yourself over and over would not happen again. Yeah, right!

We simply find it nearly impossible to give up those tasty burgers and fries because we don’t like to think about the alternatives. I mean, who could be satisfied eating a diet of rice cakes and bean sprouts? That’s what most of us think eating healthy foods is all about, right? The problem is we just aren’t well informed when it comes to what is considered eating healthy. If we understood some of the facts versus the myths about eating healthy foods, then we might be able to do a better job of controlling our cravings and actually follow through with the promises we constantly make to ourselves.

Myth #1 – It’s Okay to Skip Breakfast

Untrue! Breakfast is a very essential meal. When you sleep, your body is fasting for about eight hours, so it is important to “break the fast”. People who skip breakfast often argue that they can catch up on their energy requirements later on in the day, but in reality will be unable to make up for the vitamins and minerals that a healthy breakfast would provide. Also, by skipping breakfast, they are more prone to snack on foods that are higher in sugar or fat before lunch.

Myth #2 – Healthy Foods are Bland, Boring and Limited

Untrue! It is true that we should never eat too much of certain foods, especially ones high in saturated fat or processed sugar. However, there are lots of interesting varieties of healthy foods we should be taking advantage of such as fish, fruits and vegetables.

Myth #3 – Vegetarian Dishes are Always the Healthiest

Untrue! Many vegetarian foods contain a lot of fat. This is because many of them are made with lots of cheese, oil, pastry and cream sauces or have been fried.  So, contrary to popular belief, vegetarian meals are not always a healthier option.

Myth #4 – Salads are Always a Healthy Option

Untrue! Salads could be a healthier option; however, it depends a great deal on what you put on your salad. Items such as cheese, bacon bits and salad dressing can quickly turn it into a more unhealthy choice. Healthy salads should go without cheese, bacon bits and those delicious Chinese noodles. Salad dressing can be used, but don’t overdo it. There are also plenty of low-fat and low-calorie salad dressings available now that are just as good as the regular varieties.

Myth #5 – You Can Burn More Calories and Lose Weight by Drinking Ice-water

Untrue! The truth is, you burn just as many calories drinking room-temperature water as you would ice-water. Also, drinking plenty of water is a healthy habit to get into because our bodies contain large amounts of water, and when we don’t drink enough, we become dehydrated and sick.

Myth #6 – Fresh Fruits are Much Healthier than Dried Fruits

Untrue! A healthy diet consists of eating well-balance meals on a daily basis that include at a minimum 5 fruits and vegetables each day. The fact is, it doesn’t matter if the y are dried, canned, fresh frozen or juiced. They will provide your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Beware, though, some varieties of canned or juiced fruits may contain added sugars that could negate the beneficial effects it would normally possess.