We’re constantly bombarded by countless nutrition messages on staying healthy and lean; however many are so wacky that they drive dietitians like me up the flaming wall. Here are just a few you need to be wary of…
1. Going “free”.
For those people with a genuine food intolerance or an allergy, excluding gluten, dairy, wheat, etc, from your diet is a good thing.
Related: Sorry everyone, turns out the Paleo diet we’ve all been following is, well, flawed.
For everyone else who claims they reap health benefits of going [insert food group here]-free, simply eat less junk food, eat a balanced diet, and I promise you’ll notice how well you feel pretty quickly. If you really want to free your diet from something harmful, free it from pseudo-science peddled by so-called experts.
2. Clean eating
I hate this term! Who knowingly eats food that is unclean or unsafe for human consumption? Do you? Didn’t think so. Even chocolate-coated donuts cannot be called “unclean food”. Want to reap the benefits of eating a balanced and minimally processed diet? Great. Just don’t coin it “clean” and imply that anything else is dirty.
3. Food Shaming.
Want to eat that slice of cheesecake at your local cafe? Go for it. Just make it a “sometimes food”. And if someone gives you flak for it, put them in their place.
Related: Diets don’t work: 3 reasons why and what to do instead.
Shaming someone for his or her food choices is appalling. Tell them to keep their questionable opinions to themselves.
4. Food is Toxic.
If you drank Chinese baby formula with melamine added to it in 2008 then yep, it was toxic. But it’s ludicrous to believe that eating bread or the humble spud will harm a child, cause autism, organ damage or goodness only know what else. Food is food. Some foods are more nutritious than others. And some foods should only be enjoyed occasionally. Let’s put this toxic debate to bed. (Post continues after gallery)
