9 healthy eating rules that actually don't work

3/25/2019

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Science Story: 9 healthy eating rules that actually don't work

There is so much information about healthy diet on the internet and on TV, but are these pieces of advice useful? Let's debunk some of the most popular healthy eating myths together.

#1

Science Story: You should avoid fats - FALSE! — shutterstock

Fat is not bad for our health – actually, our digestion system can't function normally without it. When we don't consume enough fat, it becomes hard for our organism to produce hormones.

Same goes for our skin and liver – they can be damaged because of the lack of fat. Of course, we should eat foods rich in fat responsibly, but it's dangerous to exclude fats from the ration completely. By the way, such products as olive oil, avocado, fish, nuts, and seeds contain a lot of healthy fats – make sure they are in your diet.

#2

Science Story: All organic products are healthy - FALSE — shutterstock shutterstock

Organic foods have become extremely popular recently, but are they that good? According to the researchers from Stanford University, products with an "organic" label are usually not better than the ordinary ones – they are just more expensive.

#3

Science Story: High protein diets are healthy - FALSE! — shutterstock

In fact, separating nutrients is not good at all and doesn't help us lose weight. To stay healthy, we need to consume fats, proteins, and carbs at the same time. There is no evidence that avoiding carbs or fats can help us get fit – high-protein diets just cut the energy consumption, that's why they work.

The lack of carbs can be really harmful and result in headaches, problems with kidneys, bad breath and even heart diseases. If you want to lose weight, you should consume less calories but not exclude any of the nutrients.

#4

Science Story: Snacks are bad - FALSE! — shutterstock

If you don't consume too many calories during the day, snacks are also good for you. It's normal to refill your energy during the day, even if you eat chips or a couple of candies for that. As long as you know when enough is enough, snacks will not harm your health.

#5

Science Story: You should drink 8 glasses of water a day - FALSE! — shutterstock

You shouldn't worry if you don't feel thirsty often – if something is wrong with your system, the body will let you know. Anyway, make sure that you drink water (not tea, coffee or juice – pure water) several times a day, especially if you are older than 65.

#6

Science Story: Eating after 6 P.M. is harmful - FALSE — shutterstock

Many people keep believing this popular myth, which can be really dangerous. In fact, it's recommended not to eat right before you go to sleep – this will hurt the quality of your sleep, but it has nothing to do with weight gains. If you ate enough during the day and the calories you consume at night are excess – yes, you will gain extra weight, but if you don't overeat, nighttime calories are the same as daytime ones.

#7

Science Story: Сelery has “negative” calories - FALSE — shutterstock

Eating celery doesn't burn more calories than you eat – it's simply impossible. Celery is just a food very low in calories, that's why diets based on this product might work.

#8

Science Story: Detox systems can help you get healthier - FALSE! Detoxing with special drinks and pills is very popular now, but it's just a pseudo-medical concept. — shutterstock

We can't detox our body by drinking juice or smoothies. Our body detoxes itself, and the only way we can help our organism to become healthier is to eat enough, prevent overeating, consume all the nutrients, and exercise. Detoxing with special drinks and pills is very popular now, but it's just a pseudo-medical concept.

#9

Science Story: A vegetarian diet is always healthful - FALSE — shutterstock

If you don't eat meat, it doesn't automatically mean you will enjoy a wide range of health benefits. Vegetarian diet should be balanced and include a mix of grains, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and proteins. A vegetarian eating mostly fries, candies and bread will not become healthier than a meat eater.

Do you try to eat healthy? Have you ever followed any of these rules? Which fact surprised you the most?

Tell us in the comments below!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

40 Comments

cymruwoolley

I'm over 80 and haven't drunk a glass of water in last 50ys,

Terrence Smith

Thanks for the info, learned a few things

Elsy O. Stromberg

Emma Alabaster , Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, eat a minimum of meat and carbs, avoid sweets and fried foods, and exercise daily.

Barb Beck

If organic foods are so much better than regular food....WHY is it more expensive? I try and eat a balanced diet, and go to the gym for most if my exercise.

Doris Dallaire

Eating a balanced diet which includes lots of fruit and vegetables, junk food rarely, not too much alcohol will be the best way to keep your weight down and remain healthy.

Nicholas Miernicki

Where are people picking up all these sundry toxins, so that they are required to "detoxify" themselves with expensive products? You know your body has systems that can dispose of the toxins that are the normal by-products of of our cellular activity without resorting to smoothies. My favorite were the pads that people were sticking on the soles of their feet to "draw out the toxins and heavy metals". I think it was actually their brain cells that were being drawn out by the pads. Oh well, fools and their money are soon parted,

Emma Alabaster

Charmaine Eberman Skemp Martelli, True! But we all make the occasional typo, from time to time. Even me and I'm nearly prefect! (Just kidding)

Emma Alabaster

I'd love it if someone were to come up with a few diet rules that are true and actually work. I'm fed up of all this myth busting. I knew all of these already. I'd like to know what I CAN do, not what I shouldn't do to lose weight and be healthy!

Don Coon

I did not believe in the low carb thing either until I tried the dying thing, ( and according to my wife I could not even get that right}, but long story short a hail Mary plan and 7 months later I am down 107 lbs and counting. I am not saying it works for everyone but it is worth a try I mean what have you gotta lose except the weight.

Vladimir Orozco

I use good common sense hen comes to my eating habits, I never felt for the believe of “organic” foods. Love the skin of the chicken an maintain a healthy weight.

Michael Garmaise

LWV, I am writing on July 5. They must have gone back and corrected the spelling.Lynda Walsh Vanderkooi,

maewall

Oh, forgot that all important carbon!

maewall

My son and I say everything is "organic" because organic is oxygen, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen. We are all made of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen as are most of our fruit and veggies. It's just a cost gimmick. This just proves it.