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Did you stop eating eggs because of the cholesterol and have you cut out all food sweeteners? Trying to drink eight glass of water a day because you read it somewhere? Read most surprising food facts and myths.
FOOD MYTH 1: TEA DEHYDRATES YOU, SO DRINK WATER INSTEAD
Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton says new research shows that tea is just as effective as water in keeping you hydrated. She tested 21 men over a 12 hour period. Some were given tea to drink all day, the others were given water. Blood and urine samples were taken. The results were surprising. The tea-drinkers did not pee any more than the water-drinkers and their sodium and other vital salt levels remained virtually the same too. Dr Ruxton said "drinking moderate amounts of tea offered the same excellent hydration qualities as plain water".
FOOD MYTH 2: EGGS LEAD TO HIGH CHOLESTEROL
The British Nutrition Foundation found the cholesterol in eggs has only a small and clinically insignificant effect on blood cholesterol. Dr Bruce Griffen, a professor of nutritional metabolism at the University of Surrey put people on a two-egg-a-day low calorie diet for 12 weeks and found no significant rise in cholesterol levels. In fact, eggs fill you up better so they make the ideal breakfast choice. So you do not need to limit the number of eggs you eat to 3 or 4 a week, just make them a normal part of a balanced diet. To reduce cholesterol, instead you need to cut down on saturated fat such as fatty meat, cakes, cookies and full fat dairy products.
FOOD MYTH 3: YOU NEED TO DRINK 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY
A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania looked into the supposed benefits of drinking eight glasses of water a day and found no evidence it leads to plumper skin, detoxification or weight loss. The amount of water a person needs varies according to the individual. If you are thirsty or if your urine is dark yellow, you need to take in some fluid (and see Myth One: this can be tea!)
FOOD MYTH 4: HEALTHY FOOD IS MORE EXPENSIVE
Often, healthier food is cheaper as it tastes so good, you do not need to eat as much of it in order to feel satisfied and full. Beans for example, are one of the healthiest foods you can and they are so much cheaper than meat especially heavily processed and cured meat such as bacon or pancetta.
FOOD MYTH 5: LOW FAT OR REDUCED FAT FOODS ARE BETTER FOR YOU
Foods labeled 'low fat' or 'reduced fat' just means they have around 30% less fat than the standard choices but that still may mean they contain fat. Low fat foods often contain a lot of sugar to make up the taste or unhealthy carbohydrate substitutes. Plus, if something is labeled 'low fat', you might be inclined to eat more of it. You know, when you order a pizza but think it's okay because you're only having a diet coke!
FOOD MYTH 6: Going vegetarian will help you lose weight
Some vegetarian meals may contain a lot of fat. Cheese, pastry, cream, oil, butter are all high in fat. Of course, a diet rich in vegetables, seeds, pulses and fruit should remain a part of any healthy, balanced diet.
FOOD MYTH 7: YOU PILE ON THE WEIGHT IF YOU EAT LATE AT NIGHT
Scientists studied monkey who ate 65% of their calories at night and found they weighed the same as monkeys who only had 6% of their calories at night. The trouble with night time eating is not the time, it is the type of food we tend to eat then: TV snacks such as chocolate, cookies, nachos and chips. We often eat at night because we are bored, or it has become a habit to eat when watching TV, or we feel a need to 'reward' ourselves after a long day so look at WHAT you eat rather than WHEN you eat.
FOOD MYTH 8: FOOD SWEETENERS ARE BAD FOR YOU
There is one food sweetener which has proven health benefits: XYLITOL. Xylitol has been used as a sugar replacement since the sixties. It is often used in packaged food for diabetics and studies show it reduces tooth-decay in certain cases. Six US dental associations have officially endorsed xylitol in sugarfree candies and chewing gum.
