Common Health Myths Debunked

The health industry can be complex to navigate, especially if you are new to healthy eating and exercise. With a plethora of information available online, it can be hard to know which advice to follow. To help you on your journey to your healthiest self, this article will look at some of the most common health myths on the internet, and endeavour to debunk them, to make being healthy, easy. 

Fat is bad for you 

Over the years, fat has been given a bad name. However, not all fat is bad for you, and some is essential to sustaining a healthy diet. Fat is typically generalised under one umbrella when there are a variety of different products that can be labelled fat, and each plays its own role inside your body. For example, if there are saturated fats, unsaturated fats and trans fats, each shouldn’t be labelled good or bad. For example, unsaturated fats such as avocados are good for you and your heart health, whereas trans fats, like those found in processed cakes, are not so good. If you can understand which fats are good, and which ones are bad, you will be able to live much healthier.  

Crunches will give you a six-pack

While crunches are an effective exercise for your core, unfortunately, they will not get you a six-pack on their own. What a lot of people do not know is that you cannot spot reduce when it comes to exercise, which means focusing on one area and making a specific change. Your core needs specific exercises to stay strong, however, to reveal a six-pack, you will need to reduce the body fat you have in that area, as your abdominals are covered in a layer of fat. This means you will need stricter nutrition, a variety of exercises, time and consistency, to build and reveal a six-pack. 

If you eat a vegan diet, you will be deficient in nutrients 

A common myth is that if you eat a vegan diet, you will be deficient in nutrients such as iron. However, if you are eating a vegan diet that consists of a variety of whole foods, seasonal vegetables, fruit and legumes, you are less likely to suffer from a deficiency. 

Anyone, on any diet, can be deficient in nutrients. For example, you could eat a meat-based diet, but if you rely on processed foods from the supermarket and takeout food, then you are more likely to be deficient in nutrition. Regardless of which diet you follow, you should keep an eye on the macronutrients you are consuming to ensure you are eating enough. If you are not, you can adapt your diet to include more foods with a variety of vitamins and nutrients, or opt for supplements such as iron deficiency supplements. 

Trying to change your lifestyle and be healthier is challenging enough, without all the complicated information online at your disposal. Unfortunately, misinformation and outdated information can spread rapidly, which is why it is important to focus on your own journey, and see professional support if you need assistance.