Simple Food Truths
By Sara Butler
Eating well doesn’t have to be complicated. Even so, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about food and nutrition. Some of these misconceptions seem to make sense or even seem plausible, which makes them that much harder to remove from the public consciousness. It’s important to find out the truths behind food so you can replace them with the truth about what you eat and how to stay healthy. Here are a few misconceptions that belong in the trash!
Frozen Foods Aren’t as Good
There’s a myth out there that frozen foods just aren’t as healthy. While that may be true about frozen meals, which are often packed with added fat and calories, simple frozen fruits and vegetables are actually really good for you.
When you buy fresh produce from the large supermarket chain near you, chances are it had to travel quite a distance. That means that it can be days or weeks old, losing nutrients along the way. Frozen produce is often flash-frozen right after being picked, so it’s at its peak of freshness and nutrition.
White Potatoes Aren’t Healthy
White potatoes have gotten a bad reputation, but that’s probably due to the way in which they’re prepared and not their actual nutritional profile. White potatoes are a whole food and very healthy for you. Just because they’re white doesn’t mean they’re lacking in nutrients or fiber. In fact, potatoes are full of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, and folate. Just make sure you bake your spuds instead of frying them.
All Calories are Created Equal
There’s an idea persisting out there that you can eat whatever you want as long as you don’t go over a certain number of calories per day, you can eat whatever you want. Oh, if only that were true!
The focus of your diet should be on quality whole foods. After all, there’s a difference in nutrition between 500 calories of chocolate and 500 calories of leafy green vegetables or chicken. You need to focus on foods that will fill you up and enhance your health. High-calorie and low-nutrient foods will only lead to feeling hungrier later and probably result in more calories in the long run.
There are a lot of mysteries out there about nutrition, but luckily the chiropractors at The Joint are a great resource for all your questions about proper nutrition!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Weston, Fla.