Four Lies You've Been Told About Nutrition

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUXoVJn3Dhdy1SnWg4XCvuGDgGVuCZVKKetwu3MsNie9w/honey-1006972_1920.jpg
In today’s health conscious society everyone is trying to live a healthier life, so you’ve probably been flooded with information about what you should and shouldn’t eat. You’ve heard countless “facts,” but have you ever questioned the science behind these claims? Well, it’s time to shatter some long-standing and potentially dangerous myths about food. Read on to get the surprising truth behind some common lies you've been told about nutrition. **Myth 1: Frozen Fruits and Vegetables have Diminished Nutritional Value** We tend to think that fresh fruits and veggies are healthier than frozen ones, but did you know frozen fruits and vegetables might contain more vitamins and nutrients than their fresh counterparts? Fruits and vegetables are handpicked and blanched (steamed quickly) before being frozen. When they’re blanched, their nutrient levels reach their peak, and by freezing them in this state, you are effectively keeping these produce at their healthiest levels.

**Myth 2: Honey is a Healthier Alternative to White Sugar** White sugar undergoes processes that strip it of its natural nutrients, so many avoid it in favor of honey. However, honey is not exactly a healthier alternative. Sure it contains small amounts of antioxidants and vitamins, but these traces are so minuscule that you'd need to consume a ridiculous quantity of honey (about 40 cups) to reach your daily iron requirements. Your body treats honey and sugar in the same way, so what’s important is moderating your overall consumption of sugar rather than choosing one type over the other. **Myth 3: Wraps are Healthier than Sandwiches** You may have noticed that most restaurants offer wraps as a healthy alternative to good, old sandwiches. Well, wraps do seem to be lighter on the digestive system, and people on a low-carbohydrate diet are choosing wraps over sandwiches, so this myth has to be true, right? Nope. Just check out this comparison between wraps and wheat bread: **Bread contains:** • 180 calories • 3 grams of fat • 220 mg of sodium • twice the fiber **Tortilla Wraps contain:** • 300 calories • 7 grams of fat • 730 mg of sodium Wraps contain more calories, fat, and sodium than bread, and they can elevate your blood sugar due to their processed contents. Bottom line: don’t follow this fad. **Myth 4: Drink 8 Glasses of Water Every Day** This is a big whopper that you've probably heard since your childhood. Despite wives' tales otherwise, you don't need to drink eight glasses of water a day, and doing so shows no health benefits whatsoever. This myth came from a 1945 health advisory stating that people should consume 2.5 liters (84.5 ounces) of water each day. Most people overlooked the sentence that followed, which clarified that you could obtain the majority of those 2.5 liters from food (fruits, vegetables, etc.). Generally, you only need to drink water when you are thirsty or after doing a strenuous activity to rehydrate the water your body lost by sweating.

**Final Thoughts** The next time you hear a new so-called fact about food, question it. There's a treasure trove of information online, and it only takes a few clicks to separate fact from fiction. As a former collegiate athlete and a graduate with a degree in exercise and sport sciences I feel confident in the information here. --- **Images** Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/oc/@dzboston33/7tcqtm-four-lies-you-ve-been-told-about-nutrition