Diet Myths Debunked

Eating wheat free, skipping meat and avoiding dairy are not necessarily good for you. Below are 5 “diets” that I have investigated. Is your so called smart diet actually a problem? Before you take another bite, see what a huge difference the right plan can make.

The Gluten Free Diet

The Myth: It’s no carb, so I will lose weight

The Truth:  Gluten-free is not a no-carb plan, and it shouldn’t be used as a weight-loss strategy. The diet is designed for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune digestive disorder that causes intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley products. There are major health dangers in going gluten-free: By skipping fortified breads and cereals, you’re missing out on folate, which can lead to an increase in the amino acid homocysteine, raising your risk of a heart attack by as much as 200 percent. Pregnant women who don’t get enough folate double their risk of preterm delivery — and their babies have a 50 to 70 percent greater likelihood of developing certain birth defects. Replacing wheat products with gluten-free versions doesn’t help much: A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that only 5 percent of the 58 gluten-free breads, cereals, and pastas studied were fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate.

Aim to get 400 micrograms (600, if you’re pregnant) of folate a day. Choose healthy carbs, such as whole-grain breads and cereals that are fortified with B vitamins and that have plenty of fiber to keep you feeling full. If you suffer from celiac disease, eat folate-rich leafy greens and gluten-free fortified foods and juices, and take a daily multivitamin. Also, try naturally gluten-free whole grains such as buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth.

The No-Dairy Diet

The Myth: Milk is for kids. Lots of adults are allergic to it, anyway.

The Truth: You’ll lose a good source of calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that are a must for strong bones and teeth and for preventing PMS.

There’s so much misinformation about dairy, I see a lot of cases of self-diagnosed milk allergies and lactose intolerance. Truth is, very few adults are allergic to milk. If you suspect you are, see a board-certified allergist, who may recommend a skin or blood test. If the results are positive, add orange juice and soy milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D to your diet, as well as canned salmon or sardines, to meet your RDA of 1,000 milligrams and 200 international units, respectively. If you’re truly lactose intolerant, swap regular milk for lactose-reduced. But don’t give up yogurt and cheese — they contain less lactose and are generally better tolerated.

The Vegetarian Diet

The Myth: It’s healthy . What could be bad about eating vegetables?

The Truth: Unless you replace the vitamins and minerals lost by cutting out an entire food group, like meat, you maybe weakening your immune system. That’s because you won’t be getting enough key nutrients — such as iron, which affects energy levels, the ability to think clearly, and the production of enzymes that fight infection. Too little iron can even increase a woman’s risk of postpartum depression, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University. Meat-free diets that don’t include dairy, beans, or eggs are also low in the quality protein needed to repair the micro damage to your muscles that comes from working out.

Dig into iron-rich plant foods (lentils, kidney beans, black beans, fortified cereals and pasta, tofu, and baked potatoes), along with oranges, kiwis, strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes, which are loaded with vitamin C and help boost iron absorption. For your daily dose of protein eat eggs, milk, yogurt, beans, or soy at every meal and with most snacks.

The Vegan Diet

The Myth: It’s low in saturated fat found in meat, so it’s better for you.

The Truth: Many women go vegan to reduce their risk of heart disease or other chronic conditions, or because they’re morally opposed to eating animals. That’s fine, as long as their diet contains a healthy mix of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. The problem is, many vegans are missing out on vitamin B12, found in animal foods, and healthy fats such as DHA and EPA, the two types of omega-3s found primarily in fish like wild salmon.

Omega-3s are also vital for stabilizing mood, and may even help ward off depression. The risk of mood disorders is compounded if you don’t get enough B12, which helps your brain produce feel-good neurotransmitters. A lack of this vitamin can lead to memory loss and disorientation, research shows.

Get your omega-3s by eating ground flaxseed (sprinkle it on yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal), walnuts, and tofu, and by using canola, walnut, flaxseed, and soybean oils, which contain the fat alpha-linolenic acid. Include some of these foods every day to meet your omega-3 requirement of 1.1 grams. To load up on B12 (your goal: 2.4 micrograms a day), take a multivitamin or have several servings of fortified foods, such as soy milk, cereal, or tuna.

The Low-Carb Diet

The Myth: Give up bread and pasta and the pounds will melt away.

The Truth: Low-carb eating plans are a digestive nightmare, because they don’t provide enough fiber, which frequently results in severe constipation. Healthy carbs are also crucial for energy. Stop eating them and you’re likely to feel tired and grumpy all the time.

Eat good-for-you carbs. Try a slice of whole-grain bread, one-half cup cooked oatmeal, one-third cup brown rice, and one-half cup whole wheat pasta. Piling your plate with fiber-rich veggies such as spinach, broccoli, peas, and asparagus can also help get things moving. (Legumes such as soybeans and lentils are also good fiber sources.) If that doesn’t work, pour yourself a bowl of low-sugar, high-fiber cereal, such as All-Bran with Extra Fiber. Just one-quarter cup will supply you with more than 6 grams.

 

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