A leading nutritionist revealed the falsehoods behind some common food myths that are often misunderstood or considered nutritional facts. Suzy Burrell, from Sydney, discussed several misconceptions that do not necessarily apply to everyone and gained popularity in 2021, including that eggs raise cholesterol and that fruits should be avoided due to their high sugar content.
Here are the main nutritional myths that Suzy debunked, according to the Daily Mail:
**1. Eggs Increase Cholesterol**
Suzy addressed the food myth stating that consuming eggs raises harmful cholesterol levels in the body, confirming that this is untrue. She explained how you can continue to enjoy one or two eggs at breakfast or lunch without affecting blood cholesterol levels. She stated, "The balance of fats in our diet, calorie intake, along with individual genetic factors will determine whether or not you suffer from high cholesterol."
**2. Fruits are High in Sugar and Should Be Avoided**
It is well-known that fruits are a healthy type of food that should be consumed daily, but some tend to limit fruit intake due to high sugar levels. Suzy said that there are more benefits to eating fruits than removing this main source of vitamins and fiber from your diet. Moreover, regular fruit consumption is linked to weight loss. While fruits contain fructose sugar, they also provide plenty of fiber and essential nutrients, and consuming two pieces of fruit a day will not cause any harm.
**3. Olive Oil Should Not Be Heated**
Suzy mentioned that olive oil is a great option for cooking because the antioxidants it contains prevent the oil from burning. Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is a healthy oil that provides benefits for the brain, heart, joints, and muscles. Olive oil is also considered a healthier option compared to sunflower oil and other vegetable oils.
**4. Nut Milk is Better than Dairy Milk**
Nut-based milk is an ideal solution for those who cannot tolerate dairy products, but others who deliberately choose not to consume dairy milk may likely miss essential nutrients needed by the body. Suzy stated, "The key nutrients we obtain from milk are protein and calcium, and it's important to remember that almond milk literally contains none of these." Some types of nut milk may have a small amount of added calcium, but once again, in much lower quantities than in dairy or soy milk, so if you choose nut milk, ensure you are getting calcium from another source.
