NUTRITION MYTHS I RECOMMEND TO IGNORE
With so much nutrition information at our fingertips, it’s easy to become a victim to misinformation on the internet.
Unfortunately, there are many myths that exist out there in La La land thanks to people who claim they’ve discovered the “elixir” of all diets for weight loss/muscle gain etc.. Sorry to burst your bubble but, it doesn’t exist. There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to nutrition.
Understanding nutrition as it relates to your goals and needs is a key component to consider when you’re changing up your diet. Not everyone will have the same dietary needs, since we are all different and may have different goals.
In my experience the best practice is to create an individualized nutrition regimen for your energy needs/goals that you can easily adhere to over a long period. This is the way!
Below I have highlighted some of the most common nutrition myths that you would do best to ignore.
#1: LOW-CALORIE DIETS
Decreasing your daily calorie intake is a big mistake many individuals make. When you consume less than your minimum amount you can run the risk of decreased energy levels, loss of muscle, depressed immune function, and hormonal disruptions.
#2: FATS
Fats have a bad reputation but we need fats in our diets because they contain many essential vitamins, support hormone production, and makeup all the cell membranes in our body.
#3 BREAKFAST: IS IT THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY?
While it is not so much that breakfast itself is the most important, it is the quality of food you are consuming shortly after waking up. Your first meal should contain a healthy mix of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fat.
#4: LATE NIGHT EATING
Consuming food late at night does not equate to excess fat storage on your body UNLESS you are consuming more calories than you've expended for the day.
#5 PROTEIN
The biggest protein myth is that consuming too much protein can overwhelm the kidneys and cause damage. High protein diets also improve body composition, increase satiation, and improve various metabolic markers.
#6 NUTRIENT TIMING
Protein consumption at any time is beneficial. If you are able to consume protein immediately after your workout, this will be beneficial. If you can't consume protein for a few hours after your workout, it will still be beneficial. Listen to your body.
#7 JUICE CLEANSING
Any significant weight loss as a result of a juice cleanse is coming mainly from water and potentially muscle. Juices are rich in vitamins and minerals but lack fiber, protein, and healthy fats which are important components to a healthy diet.
#8 CARBOHYDRATES
The biggest nutrition myth in existence is that carbohydrates are bad for you and lead to weight gain. This is FALSE. Carbohydrates are a very important macronutrient in our diets. They contain many essential vitamins and minerals needed to support various metabolic functions.
Have you or someone you know fallen victim to any of these myths? I know I have, and it’s ok. That’s how we learn, and that’s how we outgrow old habits.
Need help creating an individualized nutrition plan? Let’s connect!