Debunking Diet Myths

by DebbieJ MS RDN | Sep 6, 2024 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

With so many sources offering nutrition advice, it’s hard to know what’s true. Even factual information can become distorted by the time it reaches you. Like a game of telephone, the message often changes as it’s passed along. Here, we debunk 5 common diet myths to guide you toward the truth.

Gluten/wheat is fattening

People with celiac disease are allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat, and should avoid gluten in their diet. Otherwise, wheat and wheat protein are no more inherently fattening or harmful to metabolism than any other grain or component. The problem is all the flour products (bread/rolls, buns, crackers, muffins/cupcakes, pancakes/waffles, pasta, pretzels) made from wheat—those products are refined and lack the fiber and full nutrients that wheat kernels have. We can thrive perfectly well without the flour products (from any grain)!

The verdict – only those with an allergy need to avoid gluten. Whole grains of various kinds are better for everyone.

Cut out fat to lose weight

Too much of any macronutrient can provide excess calories and lead to obesity and metabolic disorder. Fat is high in calories (providing twice as many calories as carbohydrates or proteins per gram), however, it is an essential nutrient. You need some dietary fat for basic survival and body processes like hormone production and digestion. Several fat sources provide other nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) or essential fatty acids. Enough fat in a meal satisfies so you feel fuller longer, helping to stave off hunger. It also slows digestion a little to limit spikes in blood sugar.

The verdict – you shouldn’t cut out fat completely but could stand to reduce if your intake is high.

Don’t eat after 8pm

An external clock shouldn’t dictate eating if you are hungry. Absolutely, shift your calorie intake to the morning to fuel your daily activities. If you’re up until midnight, a healthy 9pm snack (around 150 calories) is fine. However, most late-night eating involves unhealthy options like ice cream and chips, rather than grilled fish and salad. Extra calories at any time can hinder weight loss efforts. Large volumes before reclining in bed can exacerbate heartburn.

The verdict – it’s not the clock but the choice of food in context of your day’s intake and activity pattern that matters.

It takes a lot of protein to build muscle

Individual muscle fibers are made of contractile proteins, namely actin and myosin. Making new cells does take some additional protein, but only to the tune of 10-15 additional grams per day. In comparison, a tall glass of milk (1.5 Cups) provides 12 grams of protein and two eggs provide 14 grams. Research shows that there is no anabolic benefit to increasing protein beyond 35% calories when energy is adequate for growth. You really need an increase in overall fuel to support muscle growth with increased resistance training. As your total caloric consumption rises, so should your protein as a normal proportion of that intake.

The truth is that muscle growth requires carbohydrate and fat, too. Here’s why: Whether it’s for your skin, liver or muscle, each cell is made up of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. Only amino acids from protein provide all four components, but carbohydrate and fat contribute three of them and act as fuel allowing the physical work that’s required for growth.

The verdict – it’s a very small raise in protein necessary to provide a critical building block for muscle growth.

Stimulant drinks give you energy

Energy to supply our cells and muscles with fuel only comes from the macronutrient sources carbohydrate, fat, protein, (as well as the non-nutrient alcohol) which may get converted to ATP if not stored as reserves. ATP stands for Adenosine Tri Phosphate and is the compound that ultimately allows muscles to contract.

‘Energy drinks’ that are low-calorie and sugar-free don’t have significant macronutrients to turn into fuel. Instead, they have compounds like caffeine and taurine which trigger the nervous system, making one feel more alert or awake. Really, they are BUZZ drinks that hype you up, like when your body produces the neurotransmitter adrenaline when you are in danger.

The verdict – energy drinks do provide stimulation, but not necessarily fuel.

Sugar causes Type 2 Diabetes

Adult onset diabetes is a condition with several factors contributing to its development, namely an excess of calories which leads to obesity and insulin resistance. A calorie surplus can come from too little physical activity as well as too much of any energy-contributing compound (carbohydrate, protein, fat, alcohol). Most sugary foods come with a lot of fat and therefore calories, and added sugars usually mean the food lacks fiber, protein and other nutrients.

Natural sugars in fruit and milk don’t increase the risk for Type 2 Diabetes. It’s a lot easier to drink a 16-ounce soft drink than to eat its sugar equivalent of 3 oranges! The American Diabetes Association notes that research points to sugary drinks being linked to Type 2 Diabetes risk and recommends people avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages.

The verdict – sugars, especially in liquid form, do contribute to extra calories and fat production which influence insulin resistance but don’t directly cause adult onset diabetes.

Note: This blog post is a general guide and should not replace professional advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and support.