When using orange juice as a beverage, adhering to the food pyramid, or dedicating ourselves to a new dieting regimen, the immediate inclination for many of us is to concur on their health benefits. However, it’s crucial to bear in mind that the degree of healthiness can vary. Not all things are equivalent in terms of their health benefits. For example, while juice is a better option than soda, it’s still not as good as water. This is the topic we’re set to delve into today. We will discuss 25 Allegedly Healthy Habits That Are Not as Beneficial as They Were Presented to Be.
Following the food pyramid
Source: wikipedia, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain) There is a reason that it has been updated to MyPlate.
Doing only one form of exercise
Source: livestrong Swim, bike, run, lift, climb. Cross training is the best thing for your body.
Packaged healthy foods
Source: menshealth, Image: en.wikipedia.org (public domain or free licence) While better than candy bars, they don’t beat fresh, whole produce.
Avoiding microwaves
Source: menshealth. Image: pixabay.com (public domain) It doesn’t kill nutrients; it’s just that most microwaveable foods don’t come with a lot of nutrients to start with.
Cleansing
Source: menshealth Eat right, exercise, and your body will take care of the toxins. Depriving yourself of nutrients does more harm than good.
Store bought smoothies
Source: webmd One Naked will provide you with half your daily sugar intake.
Meal replacement shakes
Source: webmd Nothing can replace a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Tans
Source: webmd No amount of tanning is healthy. Your body releases melanin in response to skin damage by UV radiation. So if you have a tan, your skin has been damaged.
Low calorie foods
Source: webmd, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Just because something is low calorie, doesn’t make it healthy. Styrofoam is low-calorie.
Blowing of steam or venting
Source: webmd, Image: /pixabay.com (public domain) Psychology tells us that venting your anger actually leads to more anger. Going for a walk is a much better solution.
If this surprises you, wait until you see number 3!
Demanding aggressive treatment and testing from the doctor
Source: webmd, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) All procedures have risks and side effects. Doctors are trained to weigh these.
Are you interested in becoming healthier? Take a look at 25 Small Changes To Be A Happier Healthier Version Of Yourself.
Q-Tips
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) They just push the wax into your ear and make things worse.
Taking supplements
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Unless you are sure that you are deficient in something, it is much better to just eat a balanced diet. Eating supplements unnecessarily can have unintended consequences.
Red wine and chocolate
Source: mayoclinic.org, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) You would have to consume tons of it to get any of the supposed “benefits.” Of course, the obvious negative effects would outweigh the positives anyway.
Drinking all of your meals
Source: latimes, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Liquid passes through your body very quickly and leaves you hungry again. Furthermore, you’re spiking your sugar levels which makes you crave even more unhealthy stuff.
Gluten free food
Source: wikipedia If you’re not gluten intolerant, gluten is actually quite healthy. Gluten free products are stuffed with sugar and other chemicals to reproduce the natural properties of gluten.
Salads
Source: menshealth, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Iceberg lettuce, dressing, and bacon defeat the purpose. Fresh greens are what you’re looking for.
Juice
Source: wikipedia, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain) It contains tons of sugar and is only slightly better than chugging soda and popping vitamins.
Fad diets
Source: menshealth, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Which is basically most diets. A real diet is actually quite simple but takes time to implement (a calorie deficit that occurs due to eating less healthy calories than you burn).
Vegan food
Source: wikipedia People think that vegan food = healthy food, but a lot of vegan food is actually quite bad for you due to added fats that are meant to replace the animal ingredients.
Vitamin water
Source: huffingtonpost It’s basically just a soft drink with additives. Nothing beats water.
Fat free food
Source: bbc Is almost always high in sugar.
Listening to nutritionists
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) In most countries, “nutritionist” isn’t a legally protected term. This means that anybody can call themselves a “nutritionist.” “Dietician” is what you are looking for. Paraphrasing Dara O’Briain, calling yourself a dietician is like calling yourself a dentist, while calling yourself a nutritionist is like calling yourself a toothologist.
Sanitizing everything
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) Some bacteria are actually good and necessary.
If you enjoyed this list, check out 25 Health “Facts” That Just Aren’t True.
Brushing your teeth right after a meal or puking
Source: nytimes, Image: pixabay.com (public domain) It can actually compound the damage that the acids in the food cause to your enamel. You should wait at least 30 minutes.
Photos: 24. Kyle Cassidy/wikimedia commons, 20. Product picture (fair use) via rebootedbody.com, 19. Dan Leveille/wikimedia commons, 18. onetwo1 via en.wikipedia, 10. http://nyphotographic.com/ via picserver.org, 6. nuagecafe/wikipedia commons, 5. Coca-Cola Enterprises via mynewsdesk.com via wikipedia commons, 4. nyphotographic.com via bluediamondgallery.com
