Introduction
There was a time when people only took food-related advice from certified nutritionists to maintain good health. However, the rising influencer culture and easy accessibility to information via the internet are fuelling the spread of misinformation around food, health, and nutrition, affecting peoples’ health negatively.
What’s even more concerning is that owing to the rising popularity of social media among the young generation, the ones who are impacted negatively the most by such misinformation are children. Thus, we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, one of the top school in Gurgaon, decided to explore the food beliefs being promoted online to see if they are actually true or not. We found that most are mere myths that are dangerous to people’s health.
So today, in this blog post, we are addressing some of the most concerning food-related myths with the hope that people recognise the truth and make wise decisions accordingly.
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All fat is bad
If you’re trying to lose weight or simply focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you’ll likely come across people labelling all fat as ‘bad’ for your health. Low-fat and non-fat diets are considered healthy, whereas fat-rich foods are viewed sceptically. The truth is not all fat is bad. People should start identifying healthy and unhealthy fats in food items and make informed choices for good health.
Eating food with excessive saturated and trans fat is undoubtedly unhealthy, but those with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats are relatively healthy and can be consumed in moderation.
Items like butter, cheese, red meat, high-fat dairy products, full-fat yoghurt, etc., have saturated and trans fats, whereas vegetable oils, whole olives, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, avocados, etc., have monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, which are indeed healthy.
Hence, instead of excluding fat-rich items from your diet, make thoughtful inclusions to fulfil your daily dietary needs while enjoying a deliciously diverse range of healthy food.
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Frozen/canned fruits and vegetables are less nutritious
One of the most widely spread food myths that we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok came across is that frozen fruits and vegetables aren’t as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. While fresh vegetables and fruits benefit your health, so are their frozen variants. Surprisingly, frozen fruits/vegetables have as many vitamins as fresh produce, and sometimes even more.
Freezing fruits/vegetables is one of the best ways to retain their nutritional value and preserve beneficial plant compounds. Besides being viable alternatives to fresh produce, frozen fruits and vegetables are also economically viable, making them an essential component of people’s healthy diets.
You’re restricting your nutritional benefits if you’ve been avoiding frozen vegetables, such as carrots, cauliflowers, beans, peas, etc. People who are still unsure about frozen vegetables/fruits can read the product label to ensure they eat healthy.
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You cannot get enough protein from plant-based food
Some argue that people on plant-based diets can never get quality dietary protein as plant-based protein lacks the required amino acids compared to its non-vegetarian source. It’s one of the biggest food myths perpetuated online. However, science proves otherwise.
Research confirmed that a plant-based diet gives people 100% of the amino acids that your body needs. You only have to include the right food items that help you get all the necessary amino acids and meet your energy needs. This is the reason why we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok have carefully crafted our food menu to include plant-based protein dishes, such as Rajma, Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer, Matar Paneer, Chole with wheat kulcha, and other delicious yet healthy meals that help our students remain satiated with protein-packed items. Our menu is designed by certified nutritionists, ensuring taste and nutrients aren’t compromised. We only provide healthy, nutritious meals to our students that nourish them properly.
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Carbs are bad
Carbohydrates have been villainised by many, making people think twice before consuming carbs-rich food. While consuming excessive carbs is a valid concern, eating the right type of carbohydrates actually nourishes the body instead of damaging it.
People must realise that there are different types of carbs, such as simple and complex carbs, and not all carbs are bad. In fact, the right carbs in adequate quantity are crucial for a balanced, healthy diet and can become your body’s leading energy source. It can also protect you against diseases while providing vital nutrients.
People wanting to embrace a healthy lifestyle and obtain maximum benefits from nutritious meals should include complex carbs, such as whole grains, because they provide the necessary fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, etc., required by our body. You can definitely limit your simple carb consumption to support your overall health.
Conclusion
Our food choices significantly influence our health and overall well-being, so it’s crucial to make informed food choices that are sustainable, science-backed, and recommended by certified nutritionists.
Thus, we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, recognised among the top school in Gurgaon, always encourage parents and students to be aware of food myths being spread online to protect their health. While it’s easy to find numerous food myths online, we’d like people to be aware of the most common yet damaging myths that we have discussed in this blog post. This awareness can help you make the right food choices for yourself and all your loved ones, ensuring good health for everyone around you.