Diet Myths that Set You Up for Failure
By Sara Butler
Proper nutrition to help you reach a healthy weight is no small thing. To achieve it, you must be willing to make changes to your habits, your routine, and maybe even your social life. It can all seem pretty daunting, but it is possible. But all the advice you see online may not be the best, often because it’s based on outdated science. Here are five myths that could be holding you back and how to overcome them!
Myth No. 1: You Should Do a Detox
There’s some evidence that some of the substances you come in contact with each day in the environment can contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. But there’s no evidence that any form of a detox in the form of a juice cleanse, restrictive diet or special tea can remove these harmful substances.
Your body has natural filters – the liver and kidneys. These organs help to keep your body healthy. The best way to support these organs is through making sure you drink enough water each day to help your kidneys flush out unwanted substances. Also, make sure you eat to support healthy liver function by including plant-based protein and lean meat to your diet. Also, get your five servings per day of fruits and vegetables to help your body rid itself of things that can make you sick.
Myth No. 2: It’s Always Healthy to Eat Clean
The typical clean diet is full of whole foods you make for yourself at home so you can control the processed foods and added sugars in your diet. That’s not a bad thing and it aligns with many of the principles of healthy eating. Trying to abide by a very restrictive diet isn’t going to help you get where you want to go because it can cause your body to constantly crave things you can’t have and result in a binge.
If you want to eat clean, then instead of jumping in all at once and getting very strict, start by reducing unhealthy diet choices you make by about 25 percent. Then the next week, move to 50 percent until you’re at the place you need to be, eating healthy.
Myth No. 3: Cut Out Carbs
Many people think the key to success is to cut all carbohydrates from their diets. This may help you to shed some pounds, but it’s an unhealthy strategy. That’s because your body needs complex carbohydrates to function correctly. Cutting refined carbohydrates isn’t a bad thing, but you need whole grains and other complex carbohydrates to keep your body and brain working optimally.
Don't let these myths keep you from achieving a healthy lifestyle!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Albuquerque, N.M.