Originally published July 20 2005
Food myths can be tough to crack
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Some foods that are generally considered healthy, such as smoothies and energy bars, can actually be bad for your health in some forms - for example, if they are packed with sugar - while items commonly thought of as junk foods, like pizza and chocolate, can have some nutritional benefits if prepared correctly.
From what your mother says, what your friends believe and what television ads preach, it's hard to know fact from fiction when it comes to popular food and food trends.
"It's just the quantity that makes a difference," said Nicole Baggett, a registered dietitian in Los Gatos, Calif.
Because pepperoni is packed with fat, Baggett advises, "best is one slice with lots of vegetables and just a little cheese."
Dark chocolate contains a ton of antioxidants, which stop the formation of free radicals, dangerous molecules that are linked to heart disease and some types of cancer.
The chemical that is said to evoke those feelings, phenylethylamine, is in such a low concentration in chocolate that it's probably just the taste and texture making chocolate lovers smile.
Although the low-carb craze is winding down, feelings of resentment toward bread still seem to be lurking.
"Your brain will only function on sugar - not protein or fat.
Better still, complex carbs - found in whole grains, pasta and potatoes - contain fiber, which help with digestion and fill you up better than the simple carbs found in things like white bread and candy.
Thinking of ordering a smoothie for a healthful light snack between meals?
Although these sweet fruity treats can be low in fat and rich in vitamins and nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin C, they can have a lot of sugar and calories.
For example, a medium-sized Citrus Squeeze from smoothie chain Jamba Juice packs about five times as much sugar (103 grams) as a regular-sized Hershey's milk chocolate bar (22 grams).
"Energy bars are marketed very well," Baggett said, "but there are few people who actually need 250 calories of a glorified cookie."
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