5 myths about healthy eating

Conflicting advice on proper nutrition can cloud anyone’s head. You can’t eat it, and this product is only allowed on Wednesdays, break all the food into groups … My customers often complain to me that sometimes they feel lost in the middle of the supermarket — so what can you still put in the basket? My advice is simple: «Don’t complicate your life and eat what your body asks for.» When we listen to ourselves, we begin to lead a healthy lifestyle, feel lighter and do not overeat.

But I still decided to dispel the five most popular myths about healthy eating that I encounter every day.

1. Meat and grains are bad for the body and should be avoided.

I hear advice that in order to achieve an ideal figure and improve the diet, you should cut out meat and grain products from it. Although it may help a small percentage of people, the effect is still very dependent on the individual.

For some, meat is not a necessary product. And someone without a weekly steak loses strength and constantly feels weak. This is because someone may suffer from a lack of iron or protein in the body. Don’t torture him, give him what he so desperately asks for.

But when buying meat, try to choose organic options. Farm beef, which can now be found not only in specialized stores, but also in some supermarkets, differs from the usual one in that it does not contain hormones and other harmful substances. It would be nice if she was local.

With grain products the same story. For some, they are vital, because they give energy. Well, someone suffers from gluten intolerance and is not able to digest such food.

2. It’s Impossible to Eat Healthy Outside the Home

We all understand the exceptional benefits and benefits of home-cooked food. But, alas, there is not always time and energy for this. Do not think that since you did not take a container with a healthy lunch with you to work, then you are left with only fast food and fatty foods. To get started, take a look at the culinary section of the supermarket. Many of them have already started preparing healthy meals. So on the shelf next to Olivier filled with mayonnaise, you can see a container with steamed chicken breast and light baked vegetables. If you take a salad in a restaurant, skip the dressing. It often has more calories than a burger.

3. It’s impossible to cheer up without caffeine.

Try smoothies with these energy-boosting foods: chia seeds, melon, strawberries, mangoes, blueberries, spinach, and citrus. And also choose an energy breakfast with oatmeal, eggs or salmon. Need to cheer up during the day? A handful of nuts will save you.

Well, if it’s really hard for you without caffeine, then try green tea instead of coffee.

4. Only by dieting can you lose weight and start leading a healthy lifestyle.

Not really. No diet will teach you to eat healthy and make your weight disappear forever. Diets and detox programs are designed to «reboot» the body and remove toxins. Well, instill a couple of healthy eating habits. But those diets that are aimed at getting rid of kilograms in record time, more often harm than good — after the end of such a diet, kilograms tend to double back.

The main advice I can give is to make sure that during the day you do not feel hungry. Most people are so busy at work that they forget to eat, or simply don’t find time for it. Instead of a full meal, they consume bread, crackers, chocolates and sweets. And in the evening they eat off for the day, after which they sit on the sofa and cannot even move! If you now recognize yourself in this portrait, then start making snacks during the day not so harmful. Replace cookies and sweets with carrot sticks, nuts, apples and cereals. Before going to work, do not forget about a good breakfast, and also do not eat at the computer: set aside at least half an hour for lunch.

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5. The main thing is to cut calories and eat less

Often calories are the main thing we start to fight when we want to lose weight. In fact, they should be the starting point in understanding why exactly you are gaining weight. And since we are all different, focus not on calories, but on the feeling of hunger. If you want to eat — do not deny yourself a snack. But if you notice that you are constantly hungry, think about the quality of the food you consume every day. If these are semi-finished products, sausages and fast food, then you quickly burn energy from them without being saturated properly. Therefore, already half an hour after eating, you can feel hungry again.

And also consider your condition when calculating the calories you need. For example, if you exercise daily, you need a lot more calories.

And never go hungry. Yes, you can lose size in a couple of days, but after such stress, the body will store every calorie in fat. And the weight will return in double volume. If you still want to «reboot» the body, try to sit for a day on vegetable juices and smoothies. It is not necessary to cook them yourself — such detox services are now offered in every city. 24 hours in this mode will not put you under such stress as fasting, but it will remove toxins and improve digestion.

See more at Online publications of The Huffington Post.