Superfoods Are A Myth, And Here’s Why

You’ve seen it before.

“Cacao nibs boost energy and burn fat!” (But how does consuming food/calories burn calories?)

“Tiger nuts have amazing weight loss benefits!” (It may claim that these can slim your waistline because of fiber… so why not buy apples, which are way cheaper and have just as much fiber?)

How likely is it that “superfoods” actually make these big claims that they say they do?

Unfortunately, eating one food doesn’t suddenly transform your lifestyle; goji berries and chia seeds can’t miraculously make you drop pounds. 

In simple terms, Registered Dietitian recommends, “Think SuperDiets, not SuperFoods.” 

There isn’t a single food that will make you healthy, but rather, it’s the combination and pattern of the foods you eat that will impact your body. Eating a variety of whole fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and nuts and seeds is what will improve your cholesterol levels, fight diseases, and potentially reduce cancer risk.

 

on Oct 17, 2016 at 2:00pm PDT

Eating solely spinach or kale everyday can cause constipation and nutrient malabsorption. Not so super, isn’t it?

Now, what do you do?

1. Be skeptical of media you’re exposed to: With every green juice and red palm oil craze comes a wave of celebrity endorsements and trendy media posts. As convincing as Doctor Oz and Gweneth Paltrow may be, many big media influencers don’t have improving your health as their number one priority but rather, making revenue and gaining followers. Be wary of untrustworthy websites that make dramatic claims that seem too good to be true. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Eat a well balanced, varied diet: There are thousands of diets readily available to you with a click of a button, but the general guidelines that educated professionals recommend can be summarized with the image below: 1/2 of your meal should be filled with a variety of fruits/vegetables, around 1/4 with whole grains, 1/4 with lean proteins, and a serving of low-fat dairy. 

So what is it that you choose: SuperFoods or SuperDiets?

Check out these articles too:

• Are You Obsessed with Your Healthy Living Regimen?
• 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Into Fitness
• Why I Refuse to Drink Shakes
• Here’s Why You Should Take That Lunch Break