FRUIT IS BAD FOR YOU – and Other Food Myths

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Do you guys remember learning about the food pyramid back when we were kids? It was THE food bible, right?! Nowadays, that pyramid has been hacked, prod, mutilated and thrown to the wolves. Why?! More and more, I hear these wild new theories and food myths involving the DANGERS of fruit, eggs, bread and more. What? I’m scratching my head. So.. fruit is bad for you? Am I going to totally balloon if I eat a sandwich?! Keep reading to learn more about some of these trendy food myths and why we should put more trust in mother nature.

Food Myths 1- Fruits Have Too Much Sugar

This one drives me crazy! Yes, there is natural sugar in fruit, it’s called fructose. The Amount is so minute that there is no harmful consequence to the metabolism. Because of the amount of effort to chew and break down fruit, The fructose hits your liver slowly and gradually which makes it EASY PEASY to break down and metabolize.

It’s not like you’re eating a box of whoppers full of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. Fruits are filling and full of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants. Why would we eliminate fruits from our diet when they’ve been recommended since the beginning of time. You can find study after study regarding all the health benefits of fruit.

Obviously some fruits may have more sugars than others, but the total nutritional benefits of each fruit totally out way any harmful consequences that a little fructose might have. Fruit food myths just to add up.

Food Myths 2- People Need 8 Glasses of Water Per Day

Eight glasses a day is hard for me. I honestly don’t want to drink that much water most of the time! And seriously, think about your tiny little grandma sitting on her rocker knitting booties all day (Totally just stereotyped your grandma right there). Her body doesn’t even need that much water! She’s really not losing that much fluid and would probably drown herself if she had to drink eight glasses! Marathon runners and super huge athletes; for sure. They probably need more than 8 glasses.

The best way to tell if you’re getting enough water is honestly by looking at your pee! Is it dark yellow and infrequent ? You’re not drinking enough. Is it light yellow and frequent? Then you’re doing just fine! If you’re having a hard time remembering to drink water, ask Alexa to remind you!

Food Myths 3- Bread Will Make Me Gain Weight

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As long as whole wheat bread is eaten in moderation, it can actually keep your weight down by keeping you feeling full longer, and also provide great nutritional benefits. These benefits include Vitamin B (energy levels, cell metabolism, brain function) fiber ( aids in digestion and helps you feel full) folate ( make red and white blood cells in the bone marrow, convert carbohydrates into energy, and produce DNA and RNA.) and other vitamins.

Let’s also keep in mind- carbs keep you regular…. carb avoiders are often times singing another tune . Like anything else, carbs must be limited and eaten in moderation. You’ve already heard the dangers of eating too many carbs. Too bad they have to taste so dang good! When will they put apple fritters in the fruit group!? Carb food myths can be a real thing….but only when you totally overdo it.

Food Myths 4- All Calories Are Created Equal

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We’re not idiots here. This shouldn’t even require an explanation. A handful of candy corn and a handful of nuts might both boast 100 calories, but the nutrition they each provide is far from similar. Candy corn provides you with the following: sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, yellow 6, yellow 5, and red 3. Nuts provide you with fiber, protein, fat, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, vitamin B2 and phosphorus. Now which “100 calorie snack” is going to give you more bang for your buck and DEFINITELY keep you more full and satisfied? Well duh

Calorie counters beware. Eating whatever you want because it sits at the correct number of calories for your diet….could be extremely harmful. Your bodies NEEDS nutrition for a million different reasons.

Food Myths 5- Egg Yolks Are Bad For You

There was a time when people were avoiding eggs like the plague for fear it was going to raise their cholesterol levels off the chart. Over the last decade though, research has shown that the cholesterol you consume doesn’t necessarily affect the cholesterol levels in your blood. In fact, For the first time in decades, the US Dietary Guidelines released in January 2016 did not specify a daily limit for dietary cholesterol.

Once you look past that big scary “cholesterol” word, you’ll see all the nutrition an egg yolk provides!  Nearly half of the protein and most of the vitamins and minerals are contained in the yolk. So if you’re more of an “egg white” type of person….try sneaking in ONE yolk next time! Check out the incredible egg website for some awesome egg information!

Food Myths 6- Eating Fat Will Make You Fat

They say you are what you eat. Wouldn’t THAT make for some comical people watching 🙂 The food myths that have people checking labels to get the “fat free” version of their favorite foods are pretty ugly. Low-fat or fat free foods seem healthy, but they’re usually chock full of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Fat seems like a scary word, but there is actually GOOD fat. The good fat is called HDL and it actually clears the bad cholesterol, LDL, from the blood.

Foods full of GOOD fats are avocados, eggs, seeds, nuts, peanut butter, fish and oils. These omega-3 fats are also great for:

1. Promoting normal functions of the brain and nervous system.
2. Lowering cholesterol levels and supporting heart health.
3. Protecting against dry eye disease.
4. Reducing inflammation in the body.
5. Healthier hair, skin and nails.

So… Eating Natural Foods is and ALWAYS WILL be OK.

There are a BUNCH more food myths that we won’t discuss today, but hopefully after reading this article, you’ll realize that despite new studies and ideas, the natural foods that God sent to this earth to nourish our bodies MUST have a real purpose! Is there room to throw in treats here and there? ABSOLUTELY! But in order to diminish hunger and cravings for the junk food, please keep eating your “food pyramid” foods! They will keep you feeling HAPPY and SATISFIED!

xoxo -Steff