With the influx of social media nowadays, getting ahold of information about food and nutrition can be done in just one click. This is advantageous in information dissemination and in the promotion of health and nutrition programs. However, not all information in the internet is reliable. One must know how to distinguish between food facts and food fads to avoid having food misconceptions. We cannot battle hunger when there is ignorance.
Here are some food misconceptions and why they are not true.
1. All kinds of fat are bad.
In the Philippines, a significant increase of overweight and obesity cases was observed across different age groups throughout the years. According to DOST-FNRI 8th NNS, 1 out of 3 Filipinos are obese and overweight. With this, fat is generally avoided because it is fattening and may cause heart disease, hypertension or stroke. This common food misconception is wrong because fat is an essential component of a diet. Fats are needed to maintain normal bodily functions. For instance, fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A cannot be used efficiently by the body if there is no fat intake. Moreover, fats act as insulators to protect the body and it cushion vital organs. The key here is to consume in moderation in order to avoid the abovementioned diseases.
2. Eggs can’t be eaten everyday because it is high in cholesterol.
Cholesterol has also the same negative perception as fat. What people don’t know is that cholesterol has a role in the synthesis of hormones needed by the body. However, anything in excess is bad. Eggs are good sources of protein, thus, one egg per day is safe. In fact, eggs are nutrient-dense packed with vitamins and minerals. In terms of its cholesterol content, one yolk contains about 186 mg. Thus, it is recommended that individuals susceptible to developing heart diseases should watch out for their total cholesterol intake so that exceeding the recommended level of cholesterol consumption will be avoided. Normal healthy persons can consume around 300 mg cholesterol daily but for those suffering from heart diseases or those having problems with cholesterol, a 200 mg daily cholesterol consumption is recommended.
3. The recommended consumption of one glass of alcohol daily for women and two glasses for men can be consumed in accumulation (eg. If the daily intake of 1 glass is not consumed, it can be added to the consumption for the next day and so on).
As much as possible, alcohol consumption should be avoided as stated in the 10 Kumainments #10: Be physically active, avoid alcoholic beverages, and do not smoke to prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases. In advertisements, there is a constant warning to drink in moderation. That amount in moderation may be as one glass of alcohol for women and 2 glasses for men. This amount of consumption is the allowable intake everyday posing no health risks, in the long run. However, the allowable amount does not work or cannot be consumed in accumulation as believed by some. Binge-drinking or heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages in a short period of time is toxic for the body. More importantly, frequent and excessive alcohol intake may lead to addiction. Excessive amount of alcohol may cause heart-related diseases, stroke, nerve damage and liver diseases.
4. All foods labeled “organic” is good.
Organic food items are free from the use of pesticides that is why they are considerably expensive. However, claiming that all organic products are good and nutritious is misleading. For instance, we are talking about junk foods like organic potato chip. Not necessarily all organic products are nutritious. The key to having an informed purchase on food is to always check the labels.
5. Taking multivitamins/supplements is a must.
Multivitamins are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B-complex, iron and calcium. Many think that taking supplements is absolutely necessary for everyone. This is not true because all the nutrients needed by the body can be found in food items. Thus, food alone can sustain a person’s daily dose of vitamins and minerals provided that that person eats a variety of food everyday. Lastly, taking any supplements should be under the instruction of your physician.
Now, go ahead and spread the word. Help others in debunking their food misconceptions. Remember that awareness and proper knowledge regarding food and nutrition are cornerstones of leading the, “Healthy Diet, Gawing Habit for Life!”