So you’ve heard the master cleanse is a great way to lose weight huh? How about that weight-loss plan where you don’t eating anything until you feel like your going to pass out and then you have a piece of cheese? Ok, Ok, I stole that one from The Devil Wears Prada…. but the truth is there are many myths regarding nutrition and weigh-loss out there, lets see if I can shed a the light on a few.
Myth: Frozen vegetables are not as good as fresh ones. Most frozen vegetables are picked when they are at the ripest and then flash frozen. So in terms of nutrient content it ranks right up there with fresh harvested vegetables. Depending on where and when you buy fruits and vegetables they could have been sitting in transport for weeks before reaching the produce section. Now don’t get me wrong there’s most liekly nothing wrong with the veggies/fruits your getting in your supermarket but don’t be afraid to get frozen ones as well.
Myth: English muffins are nutritious. One English muffin has fewer calories then 2 slices of bread but is nearly devoid of fiber, protein, and vitamins. This is an example of empty calories. Try Ezekiel 316 bread or anything made from sprouted grains. This will generally have twice as much fiber, 1/3 more protein, and gluten free.
Myth: Pretzels are a good snack. Although 1 oz. of pretzels only contains about 110 calories, this snack scores a whopping 81 on the glycemic index. This is a higher glycemic index than ice cream and jelly beans. This will spike insulin levels and raise blood sugar, a big NO with both weight-loss and healthy nutrition.
Myth: California rolls are a good choice when trying to lose weight. The best part of this food is the seaweed it is wrapped in and the avocado. This combo contains iodine, omega 3-6, and selenium. The rest of this roll is rice and imitation crab, both of which are high in sugar with no protein. Try sashimi and seaweed salad.
Myth: All yogurts are good for you. This is a huge pitfall! Plain yogurt is beneficial, if the word ‘corn syrup’ or ‘high fructose’ is in the ingredient list- toss it! Its not uncommon to find yogurt with over 45g of sugar!! Stonyfield is a reputable brand; shoot for less then 20g of sugar. I personally love FAGE 0% yogurt, its creamy, has plently of protein, and has a cool name… mix with a few berries a small amount of granola and its unbeatable.
Myth: Fat-Free salad dressing is good for you. Although having less fat is a plus, most companies will make up for the taste by adding more sugar or artificial sweeteners. REMEMBER… if you can’t pronounce the ingredient its probaby not good for you! The removal of fat has also been shown to interfere with vitamin absorption. Ohio state researchers found people who are dressing with fat absorbed 15x more beta-carotene and 5x more lutein- than compared to fat-free dressing. Try balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil (The greener the better).
There are so many pitfalls when trying to lose weight, don’t ever just take anything at face value, read ingredient labels, ask quesitons, complare brands, and stay away from marketing jargon words. Remember that putting together anything is not usually wise without reading the directions so why put something in your body without looking at the ingredients! If your still confused, contact a professional to answer your questions, feel free to contact me!
Filed under: Practical Nutritional Advice, Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn, Dr. Gordoin Kuang C.S.C.S., New York, Nutrition, Nutrition and Wellness, Revealing Myths on Nutrition
