Dangerous Food Myths Debunked

We get it, there's a lot of information (much of it contradicting) about the right way to eat, what's unhealthy for us and the worse foods. 

Somehow from one study, the media deems that "soy" is terrible for us. But the truth is, there are a million and one nuances inside statements like these. Here are 5 food myths we're going to debunk.

Myth #1: Healthy Eating is Expensive

Many people hear the word "organic" and think I can't afford $7 strawberries. The truth is eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive. You have to be savvy when it comes to buying produce and meats. Generic brands in most grocery store chains bring down the cost of most healthier foods. The bulk food are is a great way to save. You can purchase whole grains and nuts by the bulk and you control how much verses more packaged items. Bring your own lunch and snacks to work. This will save you so much in the long run. Try it for a week and see.

Myth #2: All soy is bad

Most of the false knowledge around soy in recent years comes from a misunderstanding about the levels and amount of estrogen in soy products. The chemical phytoestrogen often is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The root of soy comes from soybeans which is part of the legume family and it has a lot of other nutritional benefits. For one, it's a great source of protein and is loaded with antioxidants, fiber and vitamin K. Vitamin K is key for bone health. In the case of soybeans, choose non-GMO. These products are some of the most genetically modified and once that process happens, who knows what how the form and nutrient amount is altered. Beware of soy isolate contained in a lot of protein powders and processed foods. 

Myth #3: All sugar is created equal

Sugar is not all created in the same way. Our bodies need sugar, as it is responsible for bringing oxygen to cells and many other functions. The problem again comes with processed or added sugars. Instead, if we focus solely on getting sugar from whole natural sources like fruits and vegetables, we would see a lot less weight gain. What it comes down to is focusing on foods that are nutrient-dense verses empty calories. 

Myth #4: Everyone needs to detox

We recently wrote about what we call the cleansing culture. It seems these days everyone's on some type of detox or cleanse and they think this is the best way to jump start a weight loss program or eat. But the truth is eating a clean, balanced diet can do wonders verses jumping into a difficult cleanse or detox. The key information people need to know when it comes to detoxes is that in these diets, our bodies generally are lacking other nutrients they're used to like protein and eating a lot of fruit can overload our system with sugar. Talk to your doctor and decide on the best path for you. 

Myth #5: Vegan diets lack essential nutrients

Many people have recently adopted the vegan lifestyle. But there still remain many misnomers when it comes to vegan, especially when compared to vegetarian as it excludes all dairy products. Most people think that eating vegan doesn't bring many of the essential nutrients we need, but this couldn't be further from the truth. It just takes some extra effect to ensure the foods you're eating are not just simply bread and carbs. When someone moves over to vegan, the biggest question is are they getting enough protein, since one our main sources of protein comes from meat and other animal products. However, grains, vegetables and legumes also have a ton of protein. For vitamins D and B12 which do come from meat, check your levels regularly with your doctor and decide on if supplements are the right direction.