Due to a lack of correct understanding of dietary nutrition, there are still many diet misconceptions in our lives. How can we avoid them?
Many people often only eat foods they like or foods they believe are nutritious, while setting aside foods they are not interested in. This dietary "substitute" is a misconception that many people have.
"Substitute" one: Fruit instead of vegetables
Many people think that as long as they eat some fruit every day, it's fine to not eat or eat less vegetables. This view is one-sided. Although both vegetables and fruits are sources of vitamins and minerals, their contents differ greatly. For example, the vitamin C content in spinach can be ten times higher than that of an apple, its iron content eight times higher, and its calcium content over twenty times higher. Furthermore, the plant crude fiber unique to vegetables stimulates intestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion and preventing colon cancer.
"Substitute" two: Livestock meat instead of fish
It is a habit for most Han Chinese to eat only pork and eat less or no fish. Although the protein content and absorption rates of the two are not significantly different, their fat composition varies greatly. The fat in fish contains more of a certain polyunsaturated fatty acid, which plays a beneficial role in children's brain development and preventing cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, the fatty acids in livestock meat, especially beef and mutton, are mainly saturated, and excessive intake is not good for your health.
"Substitute" three: Nutritional supplements instead of natural foods
More and more people are paying attention to nutrition, which is a good thing, but the abuse of nutritional supplements can turn this good thing bad. Using protein powder as a meal, or taking vitamins as a substitute for fruits and vegetables, believing that eating these supplements will keep the body healthy. Many people also believe that vitamin drugs are good for the body and that it's fine to take more, but this is not the case. For example, long-term use of vitamin A and D pills can lead to poisoning, and large amounts of vitamin C are associated with the formation of kidney stones. To improve nutrition, one should, in principle, start with dietary adjustments. If the diet is insufficient and supplementation is indeed necessary, it should be recommended by relevant experts; one should never supplement indiscriminately.
"Substitute" four: Expensive instead of cheap
Expensive does not necessarily mean the best. For example, the main component of expensive shark fin is collagen. The amino acid composition of collagen is not comprehensive and does not quite match the amino acid composition needed by the human body, making it far less nutritious than the albumin and globulin in eggs and milk. Rather than eating shark fin to get that little bit of collagen, it is more nutritious to eat eggs and drink milk to absorb albumin and globulin.