In the world of fitness and nutrition, there is a vast number of information available. However, some of the information that can be found online may not necessarily be true, or the intention of the information provided may be altered in order to sell you a programme or a product.

The most common sources of information are TV, magazines, and the internet. You don't have to - and you shouldn't believe everything you see. So we are here to bust those myths out and give you some surprising facts from the world of nutrition.

1. You Can Eat Fats

Fats are no evil, quite the opposite - eating oily fish, nuts and seeds can actually assist with weight loss. The key is to know which fats are beneficial as opposed to those that aren't.

There are many kinds of fats, the good ones, and some not so good ones. The bad fats are - trans and saturated fat of which intake should be limited. These fats can raise your cholesterol levels and don't provide any benefits for your body and health. On the other hand, unsaturated fats do the opposite. They help in lowering bad cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy.

Such fat filled foods are:
> avocados
> nuts and seeds
> fish
> soybeans
> flaxseed
> olive oil

2. Skip the Juice

Yes, fruit juices are yummy and refreshing, but there is a but. Such juices are filled with sugar and therefore can be pretty bad for our health.

Other than fruits being naturally high in sugar, they also contain lots of added sugar, which is hard for the body to process. Healthier options would be:
> 100% fruit juice (not from concentrate) as it doesn’t contain added sugar
> juices that also contain one or two vegetables
> smoothies as they contain fibre which slows down digestion and sugar absorption

3. Carbs Can Be Your Friend

Information you hear about carbohydrates is confusing. Which are good and which are bad? Carbs contain no more calories than the other macronutrients. A similar approach that applies to fat fits here, it's important to know which carbohydrates are beneficial.

The best sources of carbs are unprocessed whole grains, fruits and vegetables. White bread, highly processed foods and pastries are unhealthy sources of carbs that can contribute to weight gain.

The friendly carbs are:
sweet potato
quinoa
brown rice
whole grain bread/ pasta

4. Protein Isn't the Best Energy Source

The more protein the better? Wrong.

Our most efficient source of energy are carbohydrates. Using protein as a source of energy can actually compromise the recovery of your muscles. It’s often believed that consuming protein in large amounts results in muscle gain, but that is false! Consuming excess protein may actually lead to health problems such as can cause intestinal discomfort and indigestion, dehydration, exhaustion.

Moreover, there are serious risks associated with chronic protein overconsumption such as: cardiovascular disease, blood vessel disorders, liver and kidney injuries, seizures.

5. Ditch the Low-Fat Products

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and almost all products contain little fat in their natural state. But don’t get fooled! Processed foods that are labeled “low-fat” or “fat-free” are usually higher in salt and sugar to make up for the lost 'fat flavour'.

So the funny fact is that people who drink whole milk are less likely to be fat than those who consume low-fat milk. Besides, according to research, low-fat diets can even make you depressed.

6. Colour Matters

Just like the rainbow, the more colourful the better. To get all the nutrients you need, choose a rainbow of colourful foods. The pigments that give foods their colour, known as phytonutrients, can help reduce your risk of cancer and chronic diseases like heart disease.

Fruits and vegetables provide all the colours and nutrients you may need, plus they are fiber - filled, low-calorie, fat-free, superfoods! They help control and reduce free radicals - unstable molecules in the body that damage cells and are known cause of many diseases.

Have any of these facts surprised you? Let us know! If you have any questions when it comes to nutrition, you can book your FREE consultation with us.