Eat Right: Food Myths Debunked!
Eating these days
is starting to get extremely complicated. What is good? What is bad? Who even
knows anymore? People are so confused as to who to believe, and what to eat as they become
more cautious about what they are putting inside their body. Natasha Meah debunks common
food myths so you can feel great about enjoying the foods you love.
Have you ever
been in a situation where you have been asked, “Do you want my egg yolk? I
don’t want my cholesterol levels to skyrocket!” or been told not to eat that entire
bag of chocolates because your face will turn into a mess of pimples? Shared Facebook
links and chain e-mails about the terrors of food are probably to blame for our
perception that some foods are practically toxic. These horror
stories do scare a lot of us but it is time to set the record straight.
Get Eggcited
Many fear that the amount of cholesterol found in egg yolks is too high
to be consumed daily without eventually leading to significant health risks.
According to the American Heart Association, cholesterol is a
waxy substance that comes from both your body and food. The liver is the
primary producer of all the cholesterol you need.
Cholesterol can collect around the interior of the arteries
constricting blood flow, therefore causing high blood pressure. It also causes
the walls of the blood vessels to deteriorate, leading to strokes and heart
disease.
The truth is that dietary cholesterol from eggs contributes very
little to the cholesterol in your body, as only oxidized cholesterol leads to
heart disease. According to Paleo Leap, a leading website of diet recipes and tips, dietary
cholesterol can only be obtained by consuming animal products.
New studies show that dietary cholesterol has positive
effects. It stops inflammation, prevents blood clots, supports the immune
system, and prevents mutations in cells.
Knowing this, you should stop avoiding egg yolks, as they are one such
food where most nutrients are found. They contain 90 per cent of the nutrients
found in eggs.
In short, cutting eggs out of your diet is a bad idea as they are a rich source of
13 vitamins and minerals that could be helping you.
iCrave
Chocolate
Chocolates are
a girl’s best friend or wait, was it diamonds? Often find yourself dealing
with cravings for a sweet treat? Instead of pigging out on that jumbo packet of
M&M’S, reach for a piece of dark chocolate. It will ditch the craving and
keep you on track for the rest of the day!
Dark chocolate is praised for having high levels of flavonoids, which
have antioxidant properties. It actually contains more antioxidant activity
than fruits like blueberries and acai berries that are commonly known for this
trait.
It also has bioactive compounds to help the heart, improving blood flow in the
arteries causing a significant decrease in blood pressure. These
compounds are highly protective against the oxidation of cholesterol.
This then prevents less cholesterol from clogging the
arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease. According to
Authority Nutrition, an evidence based health website, in a study of 470
elderly men conducted over a period of 15 years, cocoa was found to reduce the
risk of cardiovascular death by 50 per cent.
One tip is to stick with high-quality versions, which offer the maximum health
benefits and nutrients, containing soluble fibre and minerals.
Keep some pieces of dark chocolate close by to keep you satisfied when
cravings strike!
iScream
for Ice Cream
You think of ice
cream and the thought of a rich creamy delicious scoop atop a crisp conical
wafer comes to mind. This sweet treat has a lot more to offer than just to cool
you down on a hot day.
People hardly recognise that ice cream is a brilliant source of
energy, rich in carbohydrate, fat and protein, making it an energy-dense food. For
example, according to the United States Department
of Agriculture, half a cup of vanilla ice cream contains about twice the
amount of energy than the same amount of whole milk.
According to The Oz Blog, run by famed doctor, Dr Oz, and his
team of experts, ice cream is a dietary source of several important minerals.
It is particularly rich in calcium and phosphorus, with about 10 per cent of
the adult recommended dietary allowance in a single serving. Calcium not
only strengthens bones but also helps prevent mood swings and premenstrual
symptoms in women.
It contains many vitamins, including vitamin K, an important
blood-clotting factor and vitamin B with blood-pressure-lowering potassium.
Have a cup a day to keep a smile on your face! There is
truly no better dessert than ice cream.
Now that we have uncovered the truth, we know that some of the most
sinful foods are actually doing us some good. Eat what you love and it
might just keep the doctor away! Life is too short for that daily bowl of mixed
greens. Keep meal times fun and interesting – if you like it, go for it!
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