Some Food Myths and Facts
(Source: February, 2001 issue of Chatelaine Magazine)
Myth: Carbohydrates are fattening.
Fact:
- Carbohydrate foods such as cereal, plain bread, pasta, rice and potatoes provide energy and dietary fibre, which helps prevent constipation, and they keep you feel satisfied.
- Carbohydrate foods are naturally low in fat. One gram of carbohydrate provides four calories, while one gram of fat has nine calories.
Myth: I would be healthier if I cut red meat.
Facts:
- A lack of fruit and vegetables in your diet may be more closely associated with disease than the consumption of meat.
- Once you've trimmed the visible fat from beef and pork, all cuts except beef short ribs and pork spareribs qualify as lean (containing no more than 1% fat on a raw basis).
Myth: I only need to eat fibre when I'm constipated.
Fact:
- We all need to eat fibre for good health.
- Soluble fibre, found in foods such as citrus fruit, legumes and oatmeal, helps to lower blood cholesterol. Insoluble fibre, found in whole-grain bread, bran cereal, broccoli and pears, provides bulk to push food through the digestive tract and may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Myth: Eating fat is bad for my health.
Fact:
- You have to eat fat to be healthy. It provides essential fatty acids that our bodies can't produce. It also helps to deliver and absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and protects vital organs.
- Omega-3 fats found in salmon, mackerel and canola oil decrease blood clotting, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Myth: Eggs are bad for my blood cholesterol.
Fact:
- For most of us, eating cholesterol-containing foods has only a small effect on blood cholesterol levels.
- Most of the colesterol in your blood has been made by your liver. Eating foods that are high in fat, especially saturated fats, has a greater effect on your blood cholesterol levels than eating foods with cholesterol.
- Enjoy eggs and other foods with cholesterol if you don't have high blood cholesterol and are generally healthy.
Myth: Nutritious foods may be healthy, but they have no taste.
Fact:
- Nutritious foods can be healthful and great tasting at the same time.
- Follow Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating to assure you're getting all the nutrients you need, then add any seasoning you like.