A healthy diet is very important for optimum health and longevity. It can help prevent chronic illness and sustain and improve the quality of life.
There are many myths and misconceptions about health and wellness when it comes to creating a healthy meal plan that supports the body.
The diet that an individual eats is very important for their overall health and longevity. Healthy diets can help lower the risk of premature mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, most of the dietary information that is presented as fact is often contradicted or even poorly supported by scientific evidence.
There are also various myths about food energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, and non-nutrients. Non-nutrients are components of food that are not considered essential for maintenance or growth.
MYTH 1 Calcium supplementation for Bone Health
It is very important that individuals regularly consume calcium to maintain their bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Americans are among the highest rate of osteoporosis worldwide.
The Common Myth: Supplementing with Calcium and Vitamin D will fix the problem.
Truth: There is very little evidence that supplementation makes a difference. Supplementing with excess calcium can lead to cardiac issues and kidney stones. Getting your calcium from food is the best option.
MYTH 2 All Dietary Fats Lead to Obesity
The common Myth: Eating a diet that isn’t low in fat is bad for your health.
Truth: High-fat foods can have various beneficial effects, such as increasing the feeling of fullness and lowering the food intake overall. Studies have shown that diets that are high in fat can lead to weight loss that is greater than those that are low in fat. Your body needs fat to sustain many organs including the brain.
Evidence is mounting that saturated fats may not be a primary driver of cardiometabolic disease or mortality.
It is important to keep in mind that patients do not consume isolated types of fat. They eat food that has mixed fats as well as other components such as proteins, carbohydrates, micronutrients, and fiber.
MYTH 3 All Types of Fiber Are Beneficial
TRUTH: Fiber, a non-digestible food constituent, is not known to be essential for body growth and maintenance but may be important for general health. Physicians should steer patients toward whole foods that are naturally high in dietary fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts), for which there is good evidence of health benefits, and away from ultra-processed products with added functional fibers.
MYTH 4 3,500 Calories Translate to 1 Pound of Fat. So, all you have to do to lose weight is burn calories. Simple! (wrong).
FACT: The concept of the 3,500-calorie rule is oversimplified as it does not take into account the various factors that affect the body’s response to changes in its calorie balance.
Physicians who want to help patients predict weight loss can use the National Institutes of Health’s body weight simulator, which is available at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/research-funding/at-niddk/labs-branches/LBM/integrative-physiology-section/body-weight-simulator/Pages/body-weight-simulator.aspx.
Recommendations to avoid processed foods and consume whole foods might help patients meet their overall caloric goals.
MYTH 5 Eating Healthy is too Expensive
FACT: While some may believe this, it is often a blanket excuse used for not taking the time to plan or shop. The fact is if you plan out meals based on whole natural foods it is possible to eat less expensively than eating out or eating junk.
If you want to make sure you are eating well and for your body taking into account all current and past health conditions as well as goals it is a wise idea to consult with your physician as well as a nutritionist who can lay out a plan to get you where you wish to be.
Give our office a call to schedule your appointment 239-362-3005 x 200. IMLWP of Fort Myers is a concierge medical service team. At present time we are accepting new clients and would love to review your history and talk with you to see if you would be a great match for our services. www.IMLWP.com
