Many myths and misconceptions surround the topic of nutrition: Is margarine healthier than butter? And does a shot of schnapps after a sumptuous meal really get the digestion going? What is the truth behind these widespread opinions? We have compiled the 9 biggest nutrition misconceptions for you.
1. pasta and potatoes make you fat
Wrong. Potatoes bring it per 100 grams just about 70 calories – so the vegetable itself is quite low in calories and guaranteed not fat. However, the preparation is important: While boiled, jacket or baked potatoes are extremely healthy, it looks somewhat different with French fries and Co: The high-fat preparation increases the calorie content to over 350 calories. Noodles, like potatoes, are often suspected of being fattening. But this is also wrong. With about 150 calories per 100 grams, pasta is somewhat higher in calories, but it also fills you up for a long time. In general, carbohydrate-rich foods are always recommended, since carbohydrates have only half as many calories as fat.
2. margarine is much healthier than butter.
False. Margarine has long been considered healthier because it contains less cholesterol due to its vegetable fats. In addition, margarine also contains slightly fewer calories than butter. However, unlike butter, margarine is not a purely natural product. How healthy the spread is depends largely on the oil used and the proportion of trans fatty acids. Butter is often criticized for its high cholesterol content. Today, however, scientists assume that cholesterol from milk fats is harmless for healthy people. On the positive side, butter also provides many healthy fatty acids in addition to saturated fatty acids. In general, anyone who pays attention to high-quality products when it comes to butter and margarine and only consumes the spreadable fat in moderation is not doing anything wrong.
3. light products have no calories
Wrong. Light products are mostly reduced-calorie products, but not calorie-free foods. In principle, light products are quite recommendable, because you can save quite a bit of fat and calories with them. Nevertheless, always take a look at the nutritional information to be on the safe side! It is also important that you do not use light products as an excuse to eat foods that you would otherwise not have indulged in. Some products still contain a relatively high amount of fat and calories even in the light version.
4. stone fruit is not compatible with water.
Wrong. Even after cherries, apricots, plums and Co. you can drink a glass of water without worrying – provided you have washed the fruit carefully beforehand. This ensures that you do not ingest any bacteria with the fruit. These are responsible for the stomach complaints that plague many people after eating stone fruit. Normally, ingested bacteria are fought by the stomach acid. However, if a lot of water enters the stomach at the same time as the fruit and bacteria, the acid becomes so diluted that the bacteria can survive.
5. fat is unhealthy
False. With nine calories per gram, fat is indeed the most energy-rich food component, but as is often the case, quantity and quality are also decisive here. Fat is basically an elementary important substance, without which we can not live. Therefore, about 30 percent of the daily calorie intake should come from fats. However, if you eat large quantities of fatty foods every day, you will inevitably gain weight over time. So be careful not to eat too rich in fats and, above all, resort to high-quality fats.
6. spinach is particularly rich in iron
False. The claim that spinach is particularly high in iron is probably one of the biggest nutritional fallacies. Although dried spinach is particularly iron-rich with 35 milligrams per 100 grams – in the cooked state, however, the iron content of 100 grams is reduced to one tenth. In addition, iron from plant foods can be utilized more poorly than from animal products. Spinach should therefore not be considered a major source of iron – even though it is relatively high in iron compared to other vegetables.
7. coffee is a liquid robber
False. Coffee has a diuretic effect due to the caffeine it contains, so we have to go to the toilet more often after a cup of coffee. However, it does not deprive the body of water.After drinking coffee, therefore, no more fluid is excreted than was absorbed through the beverage. Therefore, in contrast to the past, coffee is now also counted as part of the daily fluid intake.
8. liquor is good for digestion.
False. Although the vernacular claims that a liquor after a sumptuous meal boosts digestion, but in fact the opposite is true. Because by alcohol the fat burn is inhibited, the meal lies to us thus still longer heavily in the stomach than before. Nevertheless, the feeling of fullness subsides briefly due to the liquor. This is because the alcohol relaxes the stomach muscles and thus gives us brief relief.
9. an apple covers the vitamin requirement
Wrong. Apples are healthy – but the vitamin requirement of a whole day can not cover an apple. Among other things, apples contain provitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as the B vitamins B1, B2 and B6. However, the amount of vitamins contained is not large enough to cover the entire need of a day. Consume five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, choosing different varieties. In this way, you can be sure to optimally cover your vitamin needs.
