Fact or fiction? Is it truly healthy?

Fact or fiction? Is it truly healthy?
Fact or fiction Is it truly healthy

There's so much contradictory health advice out there, it gets confusing. One year, butter is said to be bad for you, and margarine is better. The following year, it's the other way around. One article says running causes strain on your joints; another says it's good for you because it increases bone strength.

It's hard enough to stay healthy without myths about what's healthy and what's unhealthy, making things more difficult. So here are a few common beliefs that current scientific advice says are wrong.

Bach flowers mix 51: Weight loss

Bach flowers mix 51 helps to:

  • Change your eating habits 
  • Have self-discipline during difficult times 
  • Find the courage not to give up when things are not going well 
  • Have enough patience when you don't see an immediate result 
  • To avoid feelings of guilt if you have sinned
Discover how Bach flowers mix 51 can help you

1. A low-fat diet

For many years, doctors and dietitians have warned that you should avoid foods high in fat as they believed fat to be a primary cause of heart disease. So, many people gave up butter, cheese and bacon and followed a low-fat, high carb diet, believing it to be healthier.

But doctors now recommend that you stop worrying about how much fat you're eating. Fats can be good for you: oily fish and avocados are high in fat but are very healthy foods. Instead, avoid highly processed foods and manufactured "low fat" versions of popular snacks as they may contain unhealthy additives.

2. Protein bars

Protein bars are often labelled as "natural" and "healthy" foods, but this is deceptive. They're convenient to snack on when you're on the go, but if you look at the ingredients, they can be full of sugar, additives and preservatives. Snack on fresh fruit or plain popcorn instead.

3. Antibacterial soap

While washing your hands often is one of the best ways to avoid catching whatever nasty bugs are about, using antibacterial soap is no longer recommended. This is because it's no better at stopping you from catching illnesses than standard soap. And scientists are now investigating whether antibacterial soap is increasing resistance to antibiotics in certain bacteria.

Hand sanitiser is also under suspicion as there are concerns that it is not as effective against bacteria and viruses as soap and warm water.

4. Stay out of the sun

Sunburn is damaging for both health and aesthetic reasons. Too much sunbathing not only ages your skin prematurely but also increases the risk of skin cancers. But for people living in non-tropic zones, getting too little sunlight is an even greater health risk.

Our bodies need exposure to sunlight to synthesise Vitamin D. Low levels of this essential vitamin are thought to cause a wide range of health issues, from cancer to insomnia and low mood. So don't forget the sunscreen, but get out in the sunshine whenever you can.

5. Smoothies and juices

In the past few years, we've been inundated with marketing telling us that smoothies and juices are a healthy way to consume your fruit and veggies. But nutritionists aren't convinced! Fruit juice contains just as much sugar as many standard sugary drinks. Your body makes no distinction between the sugar obtained from fruit and vegetable juices and the sugar in cola.

It's far better to choose fruit and veggies in their natural state rather than juiced. For example, if you eat an orange or apple instead of a glass of juice, you get fewer calories and more nutrients and fibre. And it leaves you feeling more satisfied. If you're still thirsty, drink more water.

6. Cutting out alcohol

Moderation is essential, but there's no reason to feel guilty if you have a glass of wine or a beer every now and then. Beer is rich in Vitamin B6, which helps to prevent the build-up of homocysteine, a substance linked to heart disease.

A glass of wine may also protect against some cancers and promote a healthy heart. So naturally, if you don't drink alcohol, there's no point in starting because it might improve your health. But if you enjoy drinking occasionally, there's no need to give it up entirely.

If you're concerned about the amount you're drinking and would like to cut back, Bach Flower Mix 62 can help you to resist the social pressure to drink and find peace without alcohol.

7. Weighing yourself regularly

When you're trying to improve your fitness and lose weight, you might think that weighing yourself every day is the best way to succeed. But the problem is that muscle is more dense than fat, and the scales can't tell the difference between a kilo of muscle and a kilo of fat.

If you're building fitness by exercising more, your muscles will be strengthened, and you may even see a small weight gain. But this isn't always a bad thing. So instead of being obsessed with the number on your scales, monitor your progress by how you look, how you feel and how your clothes fit.

To support you in losing weight, Bach Flower Mix 51 can help you change your eating habits, improve your self-discipline and help you to persevere when you don't get instant results.


Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/hidden-sugar-slideshow


Marie Pure

Other articles


Is it OCD Find out!

Is it OCD? Find out!

While you often hear people joking that they have OCD because they like to keep their house clean and tidy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be a distressing and debilitating mental health condition with a wide range of symptoms.

Read the complete article

Are things moving too fast for you

Are things moving too fast for you?

If you're worried that the world is changing too fast, you're not alone: technology is constantly developing, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the changes. As a result, many people - not just the older generations - feel anxious that they might get left behind.

Read the complete article

have you considered yoga

Have you considered yoga? The advantages of practicing yoga

Have you considered yoga? There are many advantages to practicing yoga. It is a holistic practice benefitting you physically, emotionally & mentally.

Read the complete article

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

We simply can’t avoid noticing the changes all around us. Autumn is here... Autumn is also called a transitional season. Slowly and steadily, it prepares us for the transition...

Read the complete article

How to know when to say no

How to know when to say no

It's often difficult to say no, but some people never do! So how do you know when to say no and when to say yes?

Read the complete article

Find out if you're suffering from imposter syndrome

Find out if you're suffering from imposter syndrome

Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!

Read the complete article

Hiding a depression find out if someone you know - or you yourself! - is doing this

Hiding a depression: find out if someone you know - or you yourself! - is doing this

It's not always easy to tell if someone has depression. While some signs such as sadness, pessimism and withdrawal from social interaction are easy to recognise, other symptoms may be less obvious. And some people are very good at hiding their depression - even from themselves!

Read the complete article

How to beat irrational anxieties

How to beat irrational anxieties

Irrational anxieties can seem overwhelming, affecting every aspect of your life. Learn how to beat your fears and worries and take back control.

Read the complete article

Stop worrying and live in the moment

Stop worrying and live in the moment

People spend so much of their time regretting the past and worrying about the future. But it’s not worth it! Even what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore! Let go of the past and the future and make the most of every moment.

Read the complete article

fear of fireworks dogs

7 tips to help your dog with a fear of fireworks

As nice as it is for a person to celebrate New Year, it's not so nice for a dog, especially when the loud fireworks go off the whole night. This is really frightening for many dogs. Read our 7 tips on how you can help your dog with his fear of fireworks.

Read the complete article

Free personal advice for your problem?

Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.

tom vermeersch
Tom Vermeersch

Yes, I want free advice

No thanks, I will do my own research