'Facts' about healthy eating we were told as kids are just myths
| Jun 17, 2019, 15:30 IST
As kids, our parents tend to tell us some many things about food and nutrition only so that we believe in these 'facts' and actually end up eating or drinking as they'd want us to. But as we grow up, we only come to realise that not all of it was entirely true and some were really just plain false. And that's what we're exactly going to do here, if in case you still have been following the same old 'facts' that were told by your elders.
- If you were told that you should be drinking eight glasses of water each day and that your pee should be clear, you're following it all wrong. If your pee is clear, you'll have to find a toilet around you sooner than later and this is because you're over-hydrated. There's a 'thirst-center' in the brain that helps in regulating the amount of fluid that your body needs and it is very nicely tuned. And so, you're supposed to drink water every time you feel thirsty.
- Don't keep believing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Of course, people who skip breakfast are unhealthier than the ones who eat breakfast everyday. But again, you should have breakfast only if you wake up feeling hungry. If not, don't worry about it and eat only when you're hungry. Also, people who workout on an empty stomach in the morning tend to burn 20% more body fat during their workout.
- 100% real fruit juice is a healthy choice is a big lie. There's a 24% higher risk of death for every additional 12 ounce of juice serving per day. These juices are basically sugar and water with no amount of protein or fat in it which ultimately affects your metabolism. Even smoothies aren't that good a food drink to rely on as they are loaded with sugar and barely contain any fiber in them.
- If someone has told you that you should eat as few carbs as possible then you should stop believing in this. Foods like bananas, quinoa, apples, carrots and beans are high on carbs and still are consumed by people who want a slimmer waistline. But it sure is a good idea to skip refined carbs which are used to make food items like white breads and cookies.
There are so many more myths that we keep believing and are supposed to stop following them. But for starters, you should really work on changing these five 'facts'.
- If you were told that you should be drinking eight glasses of water each day and that your pee should be clear, you're following it all wrong. If your pee is clear, you'll have to find a toilet around you sooner than later and this is because you're over-hydrated. There's a 'thirst-center' in the brain that helps in regulating the amount of fluid that your body needs and it is very nicely tuned. And so, you're supposed to drink water every time you feel thirsty.
- Don't keep believing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Of course, people who skip breakfast are unhealthier than the ones who eat breakfast everyday. But again, you should have breakfast only if you wake up feeling hungry. If not, don't worry about it and eat only when you're hungry. Also, people who workout on an empty stomach in the morning tend to burn 20% more body fat during their workout.
- 100% real fruit juice is a healthy choice is a big lie. There's a 24% higher risk of death for every additional 12 ounce of juice serving per day. These juices are basically sugar and water with no amount of protein or fat in it which ultimately affects your metabolism. Even smoothies aren't that good a food drink to rely on as they are loaded with sugar and barely contain any fiber in them.
- If someone has told you that you should eat as few carbs as possible then you should stop believing in this. Foods like bananas, quinoa, apples, carrots and beans are high on carbs and still are consumed by people who want a slimmer waistline. But it sure is a good idea to skip refined carbs which are used to make food items like white breads and cookies.
There are so many more myths that we keep believing and are supposed to stop following them. But for starters, you should really work on changing these five 'facts'.