Over the years, many diet “rules” have come to be part of everyone’s thinking and habits, even though different aspects of these rules are based on old information that research has now proven to be obsolete.
Now it’s time to clear the air and get rid of some of those misconceptions! Here are a few of the most common diet rules that are truly meant to be broken (even reversed in some cases) to get us back to wholesome, healthy eating without all the constraints.
Let’s think about this. Meat and carbohydrates have the same amount of calories per gram. Each contains 4 calories per gram. Therefore simple math would tell us that gram for gram they have the same amount of calories. The difference comes in when you look at the fat and cholesterol content. Most carbohydrates are made from plant sources, such as wheat, grain, vegetables that contain no fat or cholesterol naturally. Meat or anything that comes from an animal source contains cholesterol and fat which can contribute to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The key is balance. You can have both, in moderation, and live a healthy lifestyle while keeping weight under control.
When reading a nutrition facts label, it might be easy to think that this statement is true. Yes overall, the amount of carbohydrates might be more in the regular version of the product. On the other hand, looking at the sugar-free product, you may see less total carbohydrates, but you will also see sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols are a substitute and believe it or not, half of them do get transformed and absorbed as sugar in our bodies. There are also side effects such as stomach discomfort that come along with eating more of products that contain these sugar alcohols. Instead of going overboard on the sugar-free products, get satisfied with one or two bites of the real thing. You will be more satisfied, eat less, and have fewer side effects to deal with.
Most diets tell us that there are certain forbidden foods. Living without your favorites might be difficult to do and may cause more harm than good. All foods are acceptable as along as you are eating them in moderation. We must realize that with an overall healthy lifestyle, including a wide variety of fresh foods and regular exercise, a splurge here and there is not going to be the demise of our health. By having these foods on special occasions and in small amounts we are more satisfied and can be more in control of our daily meal planning and exercise choices.
The key here is to let go of all those diet myths and rules that we have picked up over the years. Living a balanced and active lifestyle is the one, true answer to being healthy and managing weight. There is no magic cure or secret that can fix it all. Get back to basics and start enjoying healthy eating and living.
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