For centuries now, 1 April is celebrated as April Fool’s Day every year. People are commonly seen playing practical jokes, hoaxes and pranks throughout the history of April Fool’s Day. The motive is clear – to make people around you laugh.
It is one of the many days recognised worldwide. Many western countries even practise the idea of April 1 being a holiday. As fun as it sounds, the exact origin of April Fool’s Day is still unknown.
In older times, it may have been difficult or even impossible to get cures for what we think of as simple ailments today. It has taken years upon years for human civilization to come to a point where we mostly know what actually nutritious food is for the human body. Yet in today’s modern world with technology at our fingertips, myths still surround the subject of nutrition. The internet is riddled with information that is difficult to verify and circulates quickly due to social media. Between long research articles and frequently emerging scientific studies, it is difficult to know what health myths actually have a valid basis. This April Fool’s Day, we have decided to bust these myths.
Discussing Common Health and Nutrition Myths This April Fool’s Day
Here are some common health myths that you should not be fooled by anymore:
1. All Fats Increase Weight
For ages, the answer to weight loss has been to shift to a low-fat diet. The subject of fats is more complicated than it seems with some being healthier than others. Giving up on consumption of fat entirely can be harmful as your body needs omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and affects vitamin absorption, energy, heart, and brain health.
The fats that are healthy for the body include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which can reduce an individual’s risk of heart disease. These fats are found in food products such as flaxseed, olive oil, avocados, fatty fish, almonds, and tofu. The fats that should be avoided or the unhealthy fats are trans fat and saturated fat which are found in whole-fat dairy, red meat, and fried products.
2. Carbohydrates are Bad for You
Another common myth about food is that cutting carbohydrates results in healthy weight loss. Though carbohydrates are an important part of any balanced diet, they are still often cut out of the meals of people who want to lose weight. Low-carb diets have become popular over the last few years with individuals experiencing noticeable weight loss. However, their body is also missing out on the vital nutrients that complex carbohydrates give them.
These are found in sources such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains and are able to help maintain a healthy weight while providing energy. Simple carbohydrates, on the other hand, are found in chips, candy, soda, and other such food and should be avoided if you are looking to lose weight. Avoiding carbohydrates entirely, however, could mean missing out on required nutrition. It is not about replacing fat with carbs or carbs with fat if you want to lose weight; it is about ending most days in a calorie deficit.
3. Eating Late Causes Weight Gain
Late night snacking is usually blamed for weight gain but it is more about what we eat rather than the time. People prefer to choose high calorie and relatively unhealthier snacks at nighttime, such as sweets and ice cream.
However, recent studies have suggested that there might be metabolic benefits to a longer fast overnight. It is suggested that longer fasts may result in lower blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and aid weight loss. What matters the most is how much you eat, what you eat, and how active you are during the day. High-calorie foods should still be avoided close to bedtime because they might create digestion and sleep problems.
4. Use Brown Sugar instead of White Sugar
Brown sugar and white sugar are nearly identical in terms of nutrients and brown sugar does contain trace amounts of minerals. However, the difference in mineral content between brown sugar and white sugar is negligible unless you consume a large amount of brown sugar every day.
5. Products Claiming to be Sugar Free are Good
Sugar is one of the sweetening agents that can have negative effects on your health. A product being free of sugar does not actually mean that it does not have any harmful artificial sweeteners. Read the list of ingredients mentioned on the product label. Ensure that the products you choose contain only natural sweeteners such as stevia, agave, fruit puree, etc.
6. Skipping Meals can Help You Lose Weight
Skipping meals is not the solution when it comes to losing weight healthily. A meal skipped, especially a skipped breakfast, will make you feel weaker. It can also increase your cravings and hunger pangs, increasing the chances of you indulging in unhealthy or binge eating. Rather, rely on a proper weight loss diet that can help your body get the required nutrients in order to function properly.
Conclusion
The world of nutrition is full of false information and constant scientific advancements, which make it difficult to keep up and lead to public confusion and poor choice of diet. Though it may be difficult to discern what is based on evidence and what is not on the internet, it is important to keep yourself informed by separating fact and fiction. It is also important to remember to consult a doctor if faced with a serious problem rather than relying on information from the internet. This April Fool’s Day, be mindful of these health myths – afterall, lies can only be enjoyed when they’re harmless.
