This is an opinion post by moi. Im not a health professional and Im not selling anything. Personally I MUCH prefer when average everyday citizens write opinion posts on health related issues from their own experiences,because health professionals are usually told what to say and know the thing to say to sell more medicine/products and make more money. When you have nothing to gain,it makes it more believable. But alas,do not take this information more seriously than you would your own doctors recommendations.
I was a chubby kid. Looking back it can be really frustrating,and I sometimes wish that I had learned how to better take care of myself,earlier on. After years of struggling with emotional issues that come with being the ~overweight kid~,I finally learned that most of the myths propagated by media and so called "professionals" were either specifically subjective(varying from person to person),or just outright made up for someones profit. And that taking action and figuring out what was right for me,specifically,made all the difference,and now Im both healthier AND more in shape. Heres some of the things Ive picked up along the way.
Myth 1-I cant afford to eat healthy
The truth- This all depends on where you buy groceries. Most supermarkets will mark up the prices of products that are most popular. If a physician goes on Good Morning America,and recommends a certain product,the price is going to go up. Thats what marketing is. Supermarkets ALWAYS look for trends. However,there are markets that specifically sell popular products for less. Look for places that sell in bulk. Places like Sams Club and Costco,tend to sell healthier foods for average prices. The best plan of action though,GROW YOUR OWN FOOD! Seriously! You can grow or raise almost ANYTHING organic,and it doesnt cost an arm and a leg. From fruits and veggies,to grains,almost everything can be planted and grown from home. You could even make money by selling some of your produce. There are rules and regulations though,so make sure you look up your local guidelines,and get any permits or permission needed before starting your own crop. If you dont have the time or energy to do that,then try looking for local farmers markets. Sometimes they'll even help you get started on your own garden if you ask! If you must go to a regular supermarket or grocery store though,always remember to go through the salespaper and any coupons you may have. Its definitely worth the energy and time.
Myth 2-If I go out to eat,I cant eat healthy
The truth-There are actually more restaurants that sell healthier options,than not. That includes fast food. It can be really tempting to grab a cheap quick meal on the way home from work. The key is knowing the menu of your destination. Some buzzwords for healthier options? Grilled. Anything you can get fried,can most likely also be grilled. Chicken,beef etc. Also,more veggies/fruits are good in any situation. Most places also will offer vegetarian options,if thats more your thing. Want a burger without the burger? Both McDonalds and Burger King will oblige. Also remember,most places offer light mayonnaise,which is a better option if you choose to add it to your sandwich.
Myth 3-Salads are always they healthiest option
The truth-Absolutely not. Do not be fooled! A lot of salads are loaded with hidden sugars and can be MORE calorific than things that people usually try to steer from,such as a Big Mac or Cheese Gordita. Not only can the meats in your salad be fried in unhealthy oils and fats,but some add-ons completely ruin the benefits of eating the salad in the first place. Dressing is a huge thing. Ask for oil based dressings,not creams. Darker greens are better for you as well. For really good examples of what to order over what not to order,check out one of the several books in the Eat This Not That series. They're available on the web. Or simply check the nutritional information of the foods at your destination. There are tons of websites that offer calorie comparisons,as well as other nutritional facts.
Myth 4-Eating at home is healthier than eating out
The truth-Not always. Eating at home does give you more control over what you consume. Yet the unhealthy options can be just as tempting to make at home,as they are to get at a restaurant. Anything you can make at home,can be bought elsewhere,and vice versa. It about having control over what you're consuming,no matter where you are.
Myth 5-Every food causes cancer at one point or another
The truth-According to whatever random current study is done for millions of taxpayer dollars,any food that has benefits causes some sort of cancer or heart disease,until the next study comes out contradicting it. We've seen it all. Natural fruits are healthy unless you eat too much of them. Cooking vegetables a certain way will double your chances of cancer. Riiiight. What they're not telling you? You're more likely to get cancer from second hand smoke,asbestos exposure,and sun exposure,than drinking a glass of OJ every morning. Do your own research. Read your food labels. Know the REAL percentages of cancer cases that are caused by eating certain foods. They are much more minimal than you are being told.
Myth 6-Cosmopolitan said...
The truth-Do not go to a magazine that doesnt specialize in offering health and nutrition info. Magazines that cater more to ~current culture~,are not reliable in terms of information on serious matters. A magazine like Shape is much more reliable,because it takes a large variety of subjective opinions and offers them to the reader so they can make their own decisions.. Mags like Cosmopolitan specifically make things up and twist facts,to fit whatever their current market opinion is. They have one or two articles about health matters,and they're usually not based on facts. Simply opinions from barely legal college graduates that get most of their income from appearing on HLN or writing random online articles for HuffPost. Theres no variety of opinions,and the things they present as full blown fact,are often only applicable to certain body types,races,or ages and can be disproven. Trust your instincts,get a second opinion,and talk to your personal physician,before trusting people like Dr.Oz,Dr.Drew and whoever else the media is parading on your tv at any given time.
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