Five outdated food trends you shouldn't believe in
Harmful trends about food that you should stop believing in (photo: Freepik)
There are a lot of myths and outdated nutritional trends that we should stop believing in long ago. Most of them have no scientific basis, so it is worth changing your approach to healthy eating, reports Eating well.
Strict calorie counting
When it comes to losing weight, it is often necessary to reduce the number of calories you consume. However, counting calories can quickly turn from helpful to harmful. The same goes for counting proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Calorie counting can cause or exacerbate unhealthy food obsessions and disordered eating behaviors.
Nutritionist Jamie Nadeau said that often people consume less than 1000 calories a day, which is actually dangerous for metabolism and the body's ability to function properly.
This leads to malnutrition and a feeling of losing control over food.
Use of diuretics and laxatives
Diuretics and laxatives are substances that can temporarily reduce weight by depriving the body of water. Some people may use them while losing weight.
However, these drugs affect the kidneys and intestines. Regular use of laxatives and diuretics can lead to serious complications. Some side effects include:
- severe dehydration
- electrolyte imbalance
- lack of vitamins
- organ damage
- cardiac arrest
Supplements for weight loss
Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so they often contain insufficiently tested ingredients that can have harmful effects on the body.
The study found that 776 weight loss supplements contained unauthorized pharmaceutical ingredients, of which 20% had one or more unapproved prescription ingredients, and 57% contained diuretics, stimulants, and other illegal drugs.
Eating them in large enough amounts to cause weight loss can cause high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack.
Detox diet
They are touted as a way to eliminate toxins, cleanse the body, and promote health and weight loss. And these claims don't just apply to diets. Many companies use the term "detox" to sell their food and nutritional supplements to consumers.
However, the human body can get rid of toxins on its own. Waste and toxins are eliminated from the body through feces, urine, sweat, and breath.
While a high-nutrient diet will provide the nutrients your body's detoxification pathways rely on, there is no such thing as a detox diet.
Sugar is the main enemy
Sugar is often referred to as the main enemy of health, but the problem is not with sugar itself, but with its excessive consumption and the type of foods that contain it. It is important to distinguish between natural sugar (found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products) and added sugar (added to processed foods).
The main problem is the excessive consumption of added sugars found in sugary drinks, baked goods, and other processed foods. A large amount of these sugars can cause weight gain, insulin resistance, and other metabolic diseases.
Sugar itself is not a "killer," and it can be part of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation. It is important to take care not only of the amount of sugar but also of the balance of all nutrients in the diet, including protein, fat, and fiber, to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
You may also be interested in whether it is possible to rewrite genetics with the help of food.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
