5 Myths About Nutrition
Nutrition can sometimes be a topic of controversy. One credible source may tell you one thing and then another may suggest something different. Here are five myths that we wanted to debunk.
1. Carbs Make You Gain Weight
Eating a moderate amount of nutritious carbs that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals like starchy root vegetables, ancient grains, and legumes will benefit your health. It is the carb-rich foods like cakes, cookies, sweetened beverages, and white bread that if not monitored can increase weight gain and disease risk when eaten in excess.
2. High-Fat Foods Are Unhealthy
Dietary fat is essential to promote optimal health. Even though low-fat diets may seem better, they actually have been linked to a greater risk of health issues that may lead to an increase in insulin resistance and triglyceride levels, which are known risk factors for heart disease. Many diets that are higher in fat have been proven to be just as effective as low-fat diets for weight loss.
3. Calories Are All That Matters for Weight Loss
Although burning more calories than you take in is the most important factor when it comes to weight loss, it’s not the only thing that matters. There are other factors that contribute to the success of weight loss. These factors include hormonal imbalances, health conditions, metabolic adaptations, certain medications, and genetics. Another important thing to note is that even if a certain type of food is low in calories, it doesn’t mean that it is good for you. You want to make sure you eat nutrient-dense foods that benefit your overall health.
4. Eating Small and Frequent Meals Boosts Metabolism
Many people make it a point to eat multiple small meals a day to help kickstart their metabolism. However, at the end of the day, if you are eating healthy, the frequency of your meals does not matter.
5. You Can Eat as Much Protein as You Want
Even though you may be concerned about eating too many carbs, eating too much protein is also not very good for you. Although protein helps you maintain and repair tissues in the body, you only need so much of this. With too much protein, it can prevent weight loss or cause weight gain. If you’re active, it is good to aim for half a gram of protein per pound of your ideal weight.
Contact South Coast Medical if You’re Feeling Sick
We want to make sure your health is optimized at all times. We also want to be mindful that COVID-19 still has a presence here in Southern California.
If you are not feeling well and would like to get the Sofia 2 Rapid COVID-19 test, please call us at (949) 360-1069 to schedule an appointment.
If you would like to set up an in-person or telemedicine visit, our hours of operation are:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. We are located in Aliso Viejo, California, and we offer a wide range of services such as urgent and primary care, sports medicine, and x-rays. If you need help with any of these services, please contact us at (949) 389- 8968. We appreciate the trust our patients have in us and look forward to being of service to you.