Common myths about eating and how to avoid them

Stay away from the fries! Just because they don’t contain trans fat doesn’t mean they’re good for you. This article will provide you with information on common food myths and how to avoid them. Whether you’re just looking to lose a few pounds or want to lead a healthier lifestyle, the following information will be of benefit to you.

With all the food options available to us, how do we tell “good from bad”? Well, based on what America’s top nutrition experts have to say, here are several ways we make poor food choices and how we can make better ones.

If you’re hungry, you must be hungry. The truth is, if you don’t know when you’re hungry, you won’t know when you’re full, and you won’t know when to stop. Too many times, we “guess” we’re hungry and go from there. A better solution is to rate how hungry you think you are (try a scale of 1-10); then eat slowly, and as you eat, think about how your hunger changes. If you use a scale of 1 to 10, try to stay between 4 and 7. You don’t want to be too hungry when you start, or too full when you finish.

Supersize Me is a value: It seems that we are always looking for a “value” when we eat out, and this creates the false impression that if we increase the size of a meal in a restaurant, we are saving money. However, by doing so, we are losing our health. A better way to see the size of the food is to judge with the palm of your hand, not your pocket. A good rule of thumb for serving size is if it fits in the palm of your hand, make it the right size. Make sure your serving has one protein, one starch, one vegetable, and one fruit, based on the serving size that will fit in the palm of your hand.

Fat is bad: We are in the mindset that fat is bad, which is not true. What’s most important, according to the American Heart Association, is to differentiate between saturated and trans fats (the bad fats) and eat good, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You can find these fats in fish, nuts, avocados, soybeans, and canola oils. If you keep track of total calories, you don’t have to worry about how much fat you eat, just what kind of fat.

If it is liquid, it has no calories. Most sugary drinks, including sodas and juices, have a high concentration of high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. But, fructose contains no enzymes, vitamins or minerals and also interferes with the heart’s ability to use key minerals vital to a healthy heart. So instead of sugary drinks, try drinking water or tea. The tea has no calories, promotes heart health, strengthens bones and teeth, protects the skin, and may help you avoid various types of cancer.

Frozen Entrees Are Healthy – Many times with our hectic schedules it seems like microwaving a frozen entree is the best way to care for a meal. But eating too many processed foods, like those found in the frozen food section of your local grocery store, can leave you devoid of fiber and important antioxidants like vitamin C. So if you find yourself in a situation where having a frozen meal is your only choice, pair it with a green salad, a whole-wheat roll, and some fruit for dessert.