Food Myths: Fact vs. Fiction
There’s something about human beings that makes us want to find a magic potion to help us lose weight, build muscle, develop endurance and feel better – whether it’s a plant that can ease our aches, a supplement that can rebuild damaged cells or superfoods that act like a forcefield to prevent disease. Independent research aside, the experts will tell you there’s a lot of super-hype circulating in mass media that may be generated by questionable sources. When you evaluate claims about food – good and bad — question the science behind the claims, especially if it’s been offered up by a subjective source!
Brown Eggs, Chewing Gum and The Five-Second Rule
Have you heard that brown eggs are more nutritious than white eggs? For the record, that’s a load of chicken poo. The color of egg shells is just a genetic difference and has nothing to do with nutritional content. Oh, and yolks aren’t bad for you either. They were once supposed to dangerously raise your cholesterol, but that myth has been debunked so enjoy your eggs and don’t sweat your LDL.
How about the idea that if you swallow chewing gum it stays in your digestive tract for years? Another myth. That doesn’t mean eating chewing gum is good for you, but like everything else you put in your mouth, it eventually exits – and at the same pace as all the other good food you consume.
And no matter how quickly you retrieve food oops from the floor – even if it’s five seconds or less – bacteria can still attach itself. Faster is better; a piece of food will pick up more bacteria the longer it stays on the floor, but even a clean-looking floor isn’t always clean. And while some bacteria is harmless, some is unsafe, and it doesn’t take much of the bad kind to make you sick!
Dark Chocolate, Carbs and Sugar-Free Gum
Food Politics blogger Marion Nestle, a food policy expert, says that nutrition claims often are based on food industry-funded studies, which might not be the most objective. Her latest book, “Unsavory Truth” looks at studies and the truth about the health benefits of dark chocolate, beer, milk and sugar-free gum (which probably does NOT improve your memory, by the way!).
Nestle goes on to talk about fad diets that claim carbohydrates make you fat. Not true. What makes us fat is eating too many calories. And to lose unwanted fat, we have to burn more calories than we consume. Period. And while carb-loaded foods like white bread and donuts are unhealthy, good carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans are the fuel we need for energy.
LA Times contributing writer Terry Markowitz exposes another myth about microwave ovens and the idea that they zap the nutrients out of our food. The fact is, she says, one of the best ways to cook vegetables to preserve their nutrients is in the microwave because they cook quickly. Boiling vegetables leaves the nutrients in the water that gets poured down the drain!
Frozen Foods Less Nutritious?
Another bit of microwave fiction is that nuking your food exposes you to radiation. Not true, unless your microwave oven has a leak – and even then, your exposure is negligible. And what about frozen vegetables – are they less nutritious than fresh? If you grow your own veggies and they go from the garden straight to your table, then they’re likely more nutritious than frozen. But vegetables in the grocery store lose nutrients being transported across the country, sitting in the store, and then sitting in your refrigerator for a week. Frozen veggies that are on ice soon after harvesting are still very nutritious, by comparison.
In Thrillist, five additional myths are debunked including the skinny on low-carb foods, the traditional food pyramid, the benefits of milk and diet soda fiction. Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health says a good guideline to eating healthy can be found in the Healthy Eating Plate.
And if you’re curious about what food expiration dates mean and whether you’re gambling your health by eating food that’s “expired”, check out the facts from Consumer Reports. You might be throwing out food that’s still good to eat!
Food Facts for Colliers Hill Chefs
The home chefs in the master-planned community of Colliers Hill have amazing kitchens to create their fact-based menus. Explore nearby amenities and tour the model homes and distinctive floor plans and find the perfect fit for your family and lifestyle from Richmond American Homes, Century Communities and Meritage Homes. Don’t miss the move-in ready model for sale by Shea Homes, either! It’s so move-in ready, all you need to bring is a toothbrush!
