While those embracing fad diets are often trying to make themselves healthier, they may be doing more harm than good.

When it comes to nutrition advice, fads seem to offer plenty of strange information. A good dose of common sense is often what is necessary to dispel many of the myths surrounding what is good for you. 

Here are some of the worst offenders, and some of the less healthy suggestions, when it comes to nutrition advice.

1. Don’t Eat Egg Yolks. Because eggs are naturally one of the most nutritious foods you can eat, this advice should really be taken with great caution. It is true that egg yolks are high in cholesterol, but since this is the part of the egg that happens to contain the most nutrition, throwing out the yolks diminishes the health benefits of eating eggs.

   Studies have shown that about 70% of those who eat eggs on a regular basis do not have high cholesterol. In fact, eggs can help to raise the healthy cholesterol (LDL) and have a positive effect. Of course, eating a dozen eggs per day is not a good idea, but this is where common sense comes into play.

   Eggs contain a lot of protein, antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, so go ahead and enjoy this cheap and easy to prepare food!

2. Low Fat, High Carb Diets are Best. The studies that claim that low fat diets are good for you are assuming that it is fat that causes heart disease.

   The truth is, that low fat, high carb diets are often filled with processed foods and unhealthy carbs. A low fat diet that contains plenty of lean proteins, with healthy carbs like whole grains and fruits, is often best for most of the population. With type 2 diabetes statistics soaring, carefully consider the effects of eating processed carbs and eliminating healthy fats! Bad carbs will raise blood sugar and throw off the insulin balance.

   They will also contribute to weight gain and obesity. Avoid the fads, and stick to a healthy, balanced diet, and you will be far better off.

3. Skip Natural Butter in Favour of Processing Margarine. This is some of the worst nutrition advice to ever come out. All you have to do is read the ingredients on a tub of margarine, and you will be convinced. Processed margarine is basically chemicals, and nothing else.

   Butter may be high in fat, but, in healthy amounts, it is way better than its processed counterpart. Margarine contains high amounts of trans fats, which contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and more.

4. Switch to Polyunsaturated Fats and Oils for Cooking. Oils such as canola, cottonseed, corn and soybean, are thought to help lower cholesterol. But, they are all associated with a higher risk of heart disease, too. These polyunsaturated fats contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which are easy to consume way too much of. Omega-6 fatty acids will increase inflammation throughout the body, and contribute to an increased risk of nearly every serious chronic health condition known to man.

   Stick to olive oil or sunflower oil, which are plant-derived and contain monounsaturated fats and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.         

5. All Calories are Created Equal. Counting calories is important, but it is not just the number of calories that you consume important. It is very important that the calories come from healthy sources.

   Foods that contain lean proteins, are satisfying and provide your body with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants are where you should be getting your calories from. Food quality is more important than the number of calories!

Stick to the basics when it comes to good nutrition, and use your common sense! A well balanced diet that is rich in lean proteins, dairy products, healthy grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables is always going to be the best for you—regardless of what the latest fads may tell you!

SOURCES: https://authoritynutrition.com/5-contenders-for-the-worst-diet-advice-ever/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=

Feed%3A+AuthorityNutrition+%28Authority+Nutrition%29;

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2012/05/heart-healthy-cooking-oils-101/;

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