myths on diet and nutrition

Introduction

According to research, the bulk of the American population suffers from dietary shortages as a result of misconceptions about such foods. It comes at a time when many illnesses are believed to be caused by changes in diet and some diets. According to a study published by the American Diabetic Association (ADA) outlining the persistence of food misinformation, it could be negatively impacting the consumer’s health and well-being. New research has shown that a wide variety of chemicals have been mistakenly labeled as dangerous when, in fact, they are not (Johnstone 733). Through the consideration of the misconception associated with oils in food, losing weight strategies, and the use of sugar in foods, it is highlighted that myths have continually been a challenge to the realization of optimal nutritional health.

Misconception About Oils in Food

One of the areas that is worth exploring in the description of the challenge of growing misconception is the belief that oils in diet are not healthy. There are many variations of statements that are formulated to describe that including fats and oils is not healthy and many have ended up falling into the trap. An interview with a regional health officer provided that one of the ways of managing the obese population and those who had heath complications was to advise them to check on their health, which sometimes meant to stop taking fatty foods. The outcome is that many people have developed the thinking that taking fats and oils is not preferred (Johnstone 727). However, it has since been noted that the statement is a misstatement and a wrong way of advising people on their foods choices because oil has healthy benefits in the body that are often looked down upon when discussing food. For instance, research shows that the use of oils in diet has the benefiting effect of boosting one’s level of antioxidants that are critical in preventing cancer. It has been confirmed through a series of research articles that volatile compound and essential oils have scavenging capacity that end up limiting lipid peroxidation. Other researchers who have since been involved in the discussion of the subject have indicated that most aromatic plants and spices have well-own benefits that are beneficial to human health (Mimica-Dukić et al. 345). It thus follows that the concept of oil being bad for health and the notion that it predisposes to many diseases is an overstatement and exaggeration that fails to acknowledge the specific benefits that people miss out on when they avoid fats altogether.

Misconception About Fasting and Weight Loss

It is also worth describing the role of fasting as a mechanism that is advocated in the process of losing weight because the approach is focused on the literal understanding. The concept of fasting and limiting oneself from taking certain foods for a given period is a common mechanism that many have tried in the process of managing weight at some point. However, contrary to what people usually expected, the idea of fasting is one of the least effective mechanisms of managing weight in the present day. The misconception has developed from the perspective of most weight-control programs, including some aspects of energy restriction in enabling the subject to train themselves toward the weight loss process. For example, multiple dietary approaches have shown that energy restriction tends to be used in 5 percent of the weight loss instances for the long-term, while an even higher percentage usually consider such options from the start. It denotes the fact that many people are getting confused with the idea of energy restriction and avoiding foods because the whole point of avoiding foods is a misplacement and wrong idea. An interview with a senior health expert indicated that many people end up getting disappointed when they begin personal training programs because they understand the process of weight loss from a literal perspective. It thus follows that the subject has been a focus on many researchers because of the difficulty in differentiating energy restriction and limitation of food intake. To explain how wrong it is to use fasting as a strategy for losing weight, it is apprehended that the primary reason why people fast is for religious reasons and its extrapolation into the nutritional department is by chance. It thus indicates that people today are more likely to fast because not only are they lured by religious reasons, but they also think that the restriction process will enable them to shed a few pounds as they understand the process from a literal perspective. For instance, 40 percent of women and 20 percent of men would consider the idea of dieting for weight loss at some point in their life, with 14 percent of the American population using this option for weight loss. These figures indicate that millions of Americans have fallen victim to the misconception that has been developed over time in the management of weight. Thus, while there have been notable successes from the perspective of energy restriction, weight-loss professionals and nutritional experts need to clarify the difference that exists between fasting and restricting oneself from energy loss because people end up understanding the issue from a literal perspective (Mimica-Dukić et al. 3344).

Misconception About Natural vs Processed Sugar

Finally, it is worth describing the perceived notion that natural sugar is healthier compared to processed sugar forms. The present-day nutritional department has woken up to a generation that is more sensitive than ever to the adverse effects that processed foods have on their health. The outcome is that many people tend to develop a negative perception of certain foods, especially if they are processed from the factory and containing additives. It is a significant trend at a time when the generation is facing many diseases of unknown etiology that have eventually created the notion that the culprit is processed foods. The result is that sugar has ended up being the most targeted when advising clients on the strategies they can use to “better their health.” Often, it is perceived that the problem is the intake of processed sugar, with some opting to take the natural forms. However, as research indicates, there is little evidence that there is any difference between the manufactured forms and the natural forms of sugar. For example, some senior professionals in the field have indicated that irrespective of the source, sugar contains the same compounds, and focusing on the natural while branding the artificial negatively is unsubstantiated. The justification is that irrespective of where it comes from, the body will always break down the sugar into carbohydrates, which is used to supply the body with energy. Sugar from processing plants has 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose, while the supposed natural honey has 35 percent glucose and 40 percent fructose, and the rest is dextrin sugars. From this breakdown, it becomes apparent that the percentage is the same because each constitutes 100 percent sugar, and they are both broken down by the body to release energy. It thus follows that the account of processed foods producing worse sugar than the natural sources lacks proof and is a mere case of overemphasis (The Editor).

Conclusion

In summary, it is worth underscoring the fact that the subject of misconception in the nutrition sector is a huge concern. Many people have ended up denying their bodies the optimal food nutrients from the belief that the foods that they eat are harmful to them in a way. There are a broad range of foods that have since been implied in the case, and the list is continuous as the misconceptions tend to vary from one setting to another. Among the most common is the thought that oils are harmful to one’s health, where many end up denying their body cells food sources that can help in oxidative processes. Furthermore, it is perceived that avoiding foods is a preferred weight loss mechanism, but it has been proved to have little if any, positive effects on weight management. Finally, the other common misconception is the idea that sugary foods obtained from natural sources are less harmful than those from the processing plants. It is thus advised that before one follows a statement regarding their health blindly, they ought to do a thorough investigation and perform deep research to prove the validity of any claims before believing in them.

Works Cited

Johnstone, A. “Fasting for Weight Loss: An Effective Strategy or Latest Dieting Trend?” International Journal of Obesity 39.5 (2015): 727–733. Web.

Mimica-Dukić, Neda et al. ”Essential Oils as Powerful Antioxidants: Misconception or Scientific Fact?” Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences 1218.12 (2016): n. pag. Print.

The Editor. ”Ask A Scientist: Is Honey Healthier Than Sugar?” The Huffington Post (2016): n. pag. Web.