Don’t muck around when it comes to your health and wellbeing. These old wives’ tales are exactly that – food myths, best ignored. 

Myth: Red meat is worse for your heart than white meat.

Fact: Studies have made the link between red meat and heart disease, largely a result of the saturated fat content. But even chicken can contain as much saturated fat as lean beef; sirloin beef has less saturated fat than the same serving size of chicken thigh with skin. Poultry is naturally lower in saturated fats, but this is negated if you eat the skin. It’s false to claim red meat is altogether bad for your health – it’s a source of vitamin B12 and iron. So instead of excluding it from your diet entirely, just choose leaner cuts.

Myth: Skipping meals helps you to lose weight.

Fact: Many people think that missing out a meal will lead to weight loss, but in fact the exact opposite is true. When you skip a meal, your body goes into starvation mode and slows down your metabolism to compensate. You’ll then overeat at your next meal, which adds up to a higher overall kilojoule intake. Instead, eat small meals often in order to keep your blood-sugar balanced. Remember, a good, healthy breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. 

Myth: Nuts are fattening.

Fact: Nuts do indeed contain lots of energy. For example, 15 cashews contain 750kJ and a handful of peanuts is about 850kJ. The problem is overeating these tasty snacks. But if you can resist eating too many, nuts can be a valid part of a healthy diet. They are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and plant sterols, all of which lower bad LDL cholesterol.

Make room for mushrooms
Adding one cup of mushrooms to your dinner could help boost your selenium intake by up to a third. Why is this important? Because selenium’s an essential trace mineral and a crucial element in the antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against the effects of free radicals. Selenium is also essential for normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland.