Have you ever heard that grandmother’s belief that crossing your fingers keeps you safe from lies and the influences of evil? Even if you don’t think it’s true, you’ve probably crossed your fingers behind your back once or twice before telling a little lie.
In today’s society, despite modernization and the constant production of knowledge – a direct enemy of superstition – many of these beliefs remain. In the world of fitness there are also many of these false myths, even if at first they seem to have even scientific bases.
We invite you to start this year free of myths. We bring you 10 supposedly healthy habits that you should abandon.
10 supposedly healthy habits that you should abandon
1. Eat only low-fat foods
Fats are not always bad, but there are a number of conditions that apply.
If we look closely, in the background are the answers. In 1990, the USDA ( United States Lifesaving Association ) published a series of recommendations for weight loss, among them, the one to consume only low-fat foods. What happened? Millions of Americans began filling their pantries with fat-free foods, rather than regular ones, and cut back on creamy foods. None of this produced a significant change.
The secret of fats is to identify their type and consume them in a proportionate way, since the body needs them all. Foods like nuts, fish and avocado are good sources of fat, excellent for our body. Of course, in moderation!
2. Replace dairy with almond milk
When you think of milk, you think of cows. However, today various types of dairy products have become quite popular. Among them, almond milk.
The almond seed is an excellent source of protein, and the milk that comes from it is characterized by a subtle flavor and considerably low fat content. So what is the problem? When processing the seed into milk, only 2% of the almond content prevails, and almost no protein.
So, if you need to substitute cow’s milk in your diet , we suggest you look for other options: soy milk, skim or low-fat, are the best.
3. Prepare juices
Have you ever wondered why drinking juice doesn’t make you feel as full as eating whole fruit? No, it is not a question of portions. In fact, when you drink a juice, even though it seems less, you consume more fruit than you usually chop up in a bowl.
It turns out that when it comes to eating fruit, the blender is the worst enemy. By juicing fruits or vegetables, you lose a large part of the fiber , a key nutrient to keep you full until your next meal.
What you do preserve in its entirety is sugar. In the short term, a high-sugar, low-protein diet means more hunger, mood swings, and low energy output. In the long term you can even lose muscle mass, since it depends on protein.
4. Eat only the white instead of the whole egg
The belief has been held for many years that consuming eggs can exaggerately raise cholesterol levels in the body. For that reason, it was common to hear from dietitians and other experts in the field of nutrition the recommendation to avoid the consumption of egg yolk.
However, we bring good news to those of you who are fed up with eating only egg white: after various studies, it was found that the cholesterol contained in food does not significantly affect cholesterol in the blood. So unless you have excessively high cholesterol, you can color your life and your eggs again.
5. Take multivitamins
The human body requires a certain amount of vitamins A, C and E to carry out most of the regular biological processes, such as the conversion of food to energy. If these processes do not occur, the risks of rickets or scurvy are evident. However, is it necessary to access these vitamins through pills?
The answer is simple: not at all. With a healthy, balanced diet, you can get much more than the minimum amount of vitamins your body needs to function optimally.
6. Don’t crack your knuckles
How many times has your mother scolded you for cracking your knuckles? Take this opportunity to prove her wrong.
After various studies, the theory was established that being able to crack your knuckles indicates that, among other things, your joints are well lubricated. On the other hand, not being able to do it, there is the possibility that you will need a medical check-up, since it could be a symptom of a problem related to the ligaments and joints.
7. Do detox diets
Unless you’ve been poisoned, you don’t need a detox diet. Nobody, in fact, needs them. Sometimes we need to trust a little more in the perfection of nature, because the body alone can filter most of the harmful substances we eat through the liver and kidneys.
While our kidneys filter our blood and remove any waste, our liver processes medications and detoxifies any chemicals we ingest. Paired, these organs make our body the most powerful purifier.
8. Guide you from BMI to check that your weight is healthy
The first time you went to the gym, or even on your most recent visit to the doctor, you must have been weighed on a scale and taken measurements. No, it’s not about the doctor wanting to give you a custom-made piece of clothing. After a few calculations, you have most likely put a body mass index (BMI) chart before you.
This table seeks, through the statistical approximation, to calculate the percentage of muscle that your body has. The formula, invented in the 1830s, despite the fact that it continues to be an important reference today, has two significant problems in its calculation: not only does it ignore the amount of body fat that your body carries, but also what is found around the waist. The latter, under certain conditions, can lead to heart disease or even type 2 diabetes.
9. Use antibacterial gel
They may be practical and come with delicious smells, but antibacterials will never beat a good bar of soap and plenty of water.
Organisms like norovirus, for example, are immune to antibacterial gel. In addition, using it in excess can dry out the skin on your hands.
10. Take vitamins in excess to avoid a cold
Certainly a little vitamin C can make you recover from that short cold and attend that party you have been waiting for so long, but to think that multiplying the dose arbitrarily can heal you faster or protect you more efficiently is sheer madness. You will only get sicker.
The recommended daily limit for vitamin C for adults is only 2,000 mg a day or less, and those who exceed it are exposed to the possibility of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headaches and other side effects .
References
- Brodwin, Erin. 18 ‘healthy habits’ you should give up in 2017. For Business Insider. [Revised January 2017].
