FOOD MYTHS AND FALLACIES

1. Vitamins will enhance your strength and endurance.

This is a fallacy. Vitamins supply the body no calories and cannot be used as fuel. The body urinated out 70% of the vitamins that it does not need. Only people who are deficient in an area should take necessary supplements.

2. Diet pills enhance metabolism and contribute to weight loss.

This is a fallacy. Initially one will lose weight after taking diet pills due to the lowered basal requirements of food and calories, but in the long run one will usually gain more weight back.  Once, again, a diet pill taker has not yet learned how to control their weight through proper nutritional counseling, enhancing will power, and wiser food choices once off the pills.

3. An intake of refined sugar and carbohydrates from sources like honey, sodas, candy bars, and marshmallows when feeling low, will boost energy levels.

This is a fallacy. You will probably experience the opposite. A sugar snack before a workout will deplete your performance and cause you to crash in need of good carbohydrates. Choose complex carbohydrates instead.

4. Fasting or missing meals can help weight loss.

This is a fallacy. Missing meals, particularly breakfast increases the metabolic rate, setting it for the day. Through fasting or skipping meals, especially breakfast, the metabolic rate slows in order to preserve energy stores. Weight loss is accelerated by a high metabolic rate, and is weakened by a low metabolic rate.

5. Carbohydrate foods are fattening.

This is a fallacy. The energy value of fat is twice that of carbohydrate.  Foods high in carbohydrate content naturally, such as fruits, vegetables, breads & cereals & legumes, have little fat.  They are a good source of fiber, water-soluble vitamins and water and are necessary part of a nutritious diet.  It is the addition of fat to these foods in preparation of a dish, which increases the energy value of the food. Sugar in moderation will not impact significantly on weight. 

SOURCE:
Rency Magsino-Caga-anan, RND
Head Nutrionist, Fitness First Philippines
Contributing Editor & Nutrition Consultant for ACTION & FITNESS MAGAZINE