We are all bombarded with information about all things health, diet, good foods, bad foods and everything that comes with it, on a regular basis.
So here are some myths that you have probably come across, that need some debunking.
- Myth: “You need juice cleanses to detox your body”
Truth: Our bodies do not need juice cleanses to be detoxed. Our bodies do need to detox, but the good news is that we have our own built in detox system- Our liver and our kidneys. We are better off making sure that we are making choices that support our health as a whole versus buying expensive juice cleanses.
2. Myth: “Carbohydrates make you gain weight”
Truth: Carbohydrates on their own do not make you gain weight unless they are consumed in excess. Weight gain occurs when there is a calorie surplus- meaning there are more calories being consumed than expended- and this can occur with any foods. Not just carbohydrates alone. Fun fact: did you know that 1g of carbohydrates contains 4 calories, whereas 1g of fat contains 9 calories?
3. Myth: “Weight training will make you bulky”
Truth: Weight training will stimulate muscle protein synthesis which will help you to build lean muscle mass. But that does not automatically mean you will get a big and bulky physique. The extremely large physiques that we are afraid of are often a result of some weight training and often also performance enhancing drugs. We should all include weight training in our regular routine because muscle tissue comes with numerous health benefits.
4. Myth: “Intermittent fasting guarantees weight loss”
Truth: A calorie deficit guarantees weight loss. Intermittent fasting is simply another way to do it, but it is not superior to a standard calorie deficit approach. It is simply a different way of achieving a goal.
5. Myth: “All thin people are healthy”
Truth: Appearance does not reflect a person’s true health status. Our outside appearance is a very small snippet to what is going on internal and it is about so much more than just weight. For example things like energy levels, blood markers, strength, sleep quality and mental health all matter when it comes to assessing overall health.