Fahmida Hashem :
There are many popular food related myths in Bangladesh. Those myths are one kind of belief by the people of Bangladesh. They believe it because those superstitions were found from their inheritance.
Over the years, myths and misconceptions have arisen about certain foods and scary diseases. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and there’s no scientific basis for these myths but I am here to shed light on some nutritional myths that could mess with your weight-loss efforts and your health.
Food is one of the most essential components of maintaining good health and eating right can solve more than half of your health related issues.
And to eat right you need to have the right knowledge. Here’s a cold, hard, science-based look at some of the most oft-repeated ones and what really is the truth behind them.
Sea salt- has less sodium than table salt and is mineral-rich. Most people believe that sea salt tastes better and, in some cases, you may be able to use less of it but it is by no means a lower-sodium and more mineral-rich option. Keep in mind, sea salt lacks iodine – and not getting enough of this compound can lead to goiter, intellectual impairments, growth retardation, and much more.
Avoid eggs because of their cholesterol content-Eggs have gotten an unfounded bad rap; the latest research shows that they don’t actually contribute to high cholesterol. In fact, eggs are an inexpensive source of many nutrients, including zinc and iron, antioxidants, vitamin D, and the brain-boosting chemical choline. Keep cholesterol in check by monitoring saturated fat in your diet.
The MSG found in some Chinese dishes can trigger headaches and other reactions. It probably is not the monosodium glutamate; people are most likely reacting to histamine, tyramine and phenylethylamine.
Dairy Is the Best Thing for Healthy Bones-Too many people confuse ‘dairy’ with ‘calcium,’ assume they’re the same thing, and think that dairy is the best thing for healthy and strong bones.
Dairy contains calcium, but so do dark-leafy greens. Milk is fortified with vitamin D, just like all milk alternatives. Additionally, bone health goes beyond calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin K is important for bone health (dark leafy greens have it, dairy doesn’t). Magnesium (present in foods like almonds, cashews, oatmeal, and potatoes, but missing in dairy products) also plays an important role in bone health. Ultimately, if you’re concerned about bone health, you should make sure to get enough calcium in your diet, and while milk and cheese are good sources of it, they’re by no means the only sources.
Bitter tasting foods will lower blood sugar-Consuming bitter tasting items like Neem and bitter gourd (Karela) will not reduce blood sugar because glucose is derived from foods rich in carbohydrates, even if they are not sweet.
Those with diabetes have to give up sweets. In moderation, an occasional sweet treat is fine. The key to maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is balancing meals and snacks to provide a mixture of carbs, fats, and proteins.
Bangladeshi women traditionally enjoy sour foods in pregnancy including pickles to satisfy cravings. In truth I expected many Bangladeshis to feel auspicious about pregnancy – I am not sure why, perhaps it was solely due to a sense of heightened piety in Bangladesh. All over the world, pregnant women are bombarded with opinions about what to eat and what to avoid. All too often, sound advice gets lost in a stew of badly-reported science and old wives’ tales.
Behind most food and nutrition myths, there’s a kernel of truth. We separate the science from the silliness. Why some nutrition myths die and others do keep bouncing back, even in the face of what seems to be incontrovertible evidence? Let’s face it; myths and misinformation are much more seductive than the truth. Some of these myths are from a thousand years ago. I don’t think anyone believes in them now, not even in my mother’s generation. But although she’s dismissive of some old beliefs.
At the moment, the advice that I want to give to all is please find the scientific fact behind the myths and keep continue which is better for your health. Basically A myths free balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise are usually the best course for fighting diseases and staying healthy. n
There are many popular food related myths in Bangladesh. Those myths are one kind of belief by the people of Bangladesh. They believe it because those superstitions were found from their inheritance.
Over the years, myths and misconceptions have arisen about certain foods and scary diseases. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and there’s no scientific basis for these myths but I am here to shed light on some nutritional myths that could mess with your weight-loss efforts and your health.
Food is one of the most essential components of maintaining good health and eating right can solve more than half of your health related issues.
And to eat right you need to have the right knowledge. Here’s a cold, hard, science-based look at some of the most oft-repeated ones and what really is the truth behind them.
Sea salt- has less sodium than table salt and is mineral-rich. Most people believe that sea salt tastes better and, in some cases, you may be able to use less of it but it is by no means a lower-sodium and more mineral-rich option. Keep in mind, sea salt lacks iodine – and not getting enough of this compound can lead to goiter, intellectual impairments, growth retardation, and much more.
Avoid eggs because of their cholesterol content-Eggs have gotten an unfounded bad rap; the latest research shows that they don’t actually contribute to high cholesterol. In fact, eggs are an inexpensive source of many nutrients, including zinc and iron, antioxidants, vitamin D, and the brain-boosting chemical choline. Keep cholesterol in check by monitoring saturated fat in your diet.
The MSG found in some Chinese dishes can trigger headaches and other reactions. It probably is not the monosodium glutamate; people are most likely reacting to histamine, tyramine and phenylethylamine.
Dairy Is the Best Thing for Healthy Bones-Too many people confuse ‘dairy’ with ‘calcium,’ assume they’re the same thing, and think that dairy is the best thing for healthy and strong bones.
Dairy contains calcium, but so do dark-leafy greens. Milk is fortified with vitamin D, just like all milk alternatives. Additionally, bone health goes beyond calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin K is important for bone health (dark leafy greens have it, dairy doesn’t). Magnesium (present in foods like almonds, cashews, oatmeal, and potatoes, but missing in dairy products) also plays an important role in bone health. Ultimately, if you’re concerned about bone health, you should make sure to get enough calcium in your diet, and while milk and cheese are good sources of it, they’re by no means the only sources.
Bitter tasting foods will lower blood sugar-Consuming bitter tasting items like Neem and bitter gourd (Karela) will not reduce blood sugar because glucose is derived from foods rich in carbohydrates, even if they are not sweet.
Those with diabetes have to give up sweets. In moderation, an occasional sweet treat is fine. The key to maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is balancing meals and snacks to provide a mixture of carbs, fats, and proteins.
Bangladeshi women traditionally enjoy sour foods in pregnancy including pickles to satisfy cravings. In truth I expected many Bangladeshis to feel auspicious about pregnancy – I am not sure why, perhaps it was solely due to a sense of heightened piety in Bangladesh. All over the world, pregnant women are bombarded with opinions about what to eat and what to avoid. All too often, sound advice gets lost in a stew of badly-reported science and old wives’ tales.
Behind most food and nutrition myths, there’s a kernel of truth. We separate the science from the silliness. Why some nutrition myths die and others do keep bouncing back, even in the face of what seems to be incontrovertible evidence? Let’s face it; myths and misinformation are much more seductive than the truth. Some of these myths are from a thousand years ago. I don’t think anyone believes in them now, not even in my mother’s generation. But although she’s dismissive of some old beliefs.
At the moment, the advice that I want to give to all is please find the scientific fact behind the myths and keep continue which is better for your health. Basically A myths free balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise are usually the best course for fighting diseases and staying healthy. n
(Fahmida Hashem is
a nutritionist)
