Busting 5 Myths About Healthy Eating
Myth No. 1: It’s too hard to eat healthy.
Fact: If you feel this way, you’re not alone. A recent survey by the American Dietetic Association revealed that taste, time and confusion are the most frequently cited barriers to good nutrition. Nevertheless, it’s not hard to eat healthy if you make small changes in your eating habits, one by one.
Start off by stocking your cupboards with only low-fat, high-fiber snacks. Next, try cooking healthy meals one day and freezing them for another day. Then, buy pre-cut fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc., to shorten your prep time to make healthy home meals and resist the urge to order out.
Myth No. 2: Fresh fruits and vegetables are better for you than canned.
Fact: Because fresh fruits and vegetables aren’t always available, their canned versions are actually good substitutes. Fresh produce is typically at its best within a few days of picking. Canned produce is picked and canned at its peak.
Even though the heating process does destroy some vitamins, the majority of nutrients remain. Canned tomatoes, corn and carrot products actually provide higher levels of some phytochemicals (like lycopene) than the fresh versions because of the canning process. Look for fruits canned in their own juice and vegetables without added salt.
Myth No. 3: Organic foods are healthier than conventional foods.
Fact: Organic foods are without a doubt becoming more popular and more readily available. Although organic foods are generally grown using lower levels of pesticides, no scientific studies have clearly shown that they offer greater nutritional benefit than non-organic foods.
If you wish to purchase organic foods, look for the U.S. Department of Agriculture seal designating that they are at least 95 percent organically grown by UDSA standards.
Myth No. 4: 'Health foods' are better for you than regular foods.
Fact: Foods from the supermarket are just as healthy as those sold in health food and specialty food stores. Wherever you shop, it’s important to choose a variety of foods from all food groups that are low in fat, salt and sugar, and are high in fiber.
Myth No. 5: Bottled water is better than tap water.
Fact: We all need to drink enough water to stay hydrated, but there is no extra benefit from drinking bottled water versus tap water - unless you live in an area with known problems from city or well water sources.
If you prefer a little flavor in your drink, you can try any of the various flavor powders available, or you can add a bit of lemon to water from your tap.
By Beth A. Czerwony MS, RD, LD, licensed dietitian in Cleveland Clinic’s Outpatient Nutrition Therapy Department
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Be Well™ eNews articles are written for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. They have not been designed to replace a physician's assessment and medical judgment. Always consult with your physician first about anything related to your personal health.
