Habit 1: Instant Noodles for Breakfast
Frequently eating instant noodles for breakfast is very detrimental to human health and development. This is because the human body needs six essential elements to maintain normal physiological metabolism, while instant noodles are mainly composed of carbohydrates with very few other nutrients. Therefore, if instant noodles are used as a substitute for breakfast for a long time, it can lead to dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, palpitations, and listlessness. In severe cases, it can manifest as weight loss and muscle atrophy due to nutritional deficiencies.
Habit 2: Fruits as a Substitute for Vegetables
Both fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, so many people believe that eating some fruits every day is fine, and it doesn't matter if they don't eat or eat less vegetables. In fact, vegetables are a food essential to the human body, second only to grains. They are more effective in promoting the absorption of the three major nutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. If a person only eats animal foods, the protein absorption rate is 70%; however, if they also eat vegetables, the absorption rate can reach over 90%. Furthermore, the unique plant fiber in vegetables stimulates intestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion and preventing colon cancer.
Habit 3: Fresh Vegetables as a Substitute for Refrigerated Vegetables
This statement is perfectly fine if it refers to fresh vegetables just picked from the field. However, in reality, most vegetables we eat are not that fresh; they are usually stored for several days, and their vitamins gradually degrade during the storage process. In contrast, refrigerated vegetables can retain more vitamins because refrigeration after harvesting effectively prevents the loss of vitamins.
Habit 4: Mineral Water as a Substitute for Boiled Water
Many people, believing that mineral water is rich in minerals, no longer drink boiled water and use mineral water as a complete substitute. However, mineral water can also be contaminated by harmful substances from the soil. Recently, Dutch scientists analyzed bottled mineral water and found that it is more susceptible to contamination by dangerous microbes and bacteria. Although these bacteria may not pose a major threat to healthy individuals, for those with weaker immune systems, the bacteria in bottled mineral water could be quite dangerous.
Habit 5: Livestock Meat as a Substitute for Fish
It is a habit for most Han Chinese to eat only pork and little or no fish. Although the protein content and absorption rates of the two are not significantly different, their fat compositions vary greatly. Fish fat contains more of a certain type of polyunsaturated fatty acid, which is beneficial for children's brain development and preventing cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, the fat in livestock meat, especially beef and mutton, is primarily saturated, and excessive intake is unhealthy.
Habit 6: Brown Sugar as a Substitute for White Sugar
Both brown sugar and white sugar are extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets. The production process for brown sugar is slightly simpler than for white sugar, and it contains more glucose and cellulose. It also releases energy faster and has a higher absorption and utilization rate. However, brown sugar is not as sweet as white sugar, so people tend to use more of it when drinking tea or coffee. Therefore, brown sugar can sometimes be more dangerous than white sugar.
Habit 7: Tonics as a Substitute for Nutritional Supplements
Many people, when advised by doctors to supplement their nutrition, often turn to taking various tonics. However, experts point out that tonics cannot replace nutritional supplements. Amino acids are common tonics, but they are not necessary unless one has difficulty eating. Blindly administering amino acids can not only cause allergic reactions but, for individuals with poor kidney function, it may lead to hepatic coma and uremia. Many people believe that vitamin drugs are beneficial to the body and that taking more is harmless. This is not the case. Long-term use of vitamin A and D pills can lead to vitamin A poisoning, causing bone pain, vomiting, itching, and hair loss. Therefore, to improve nutrition, one should start by adjusting their diet and must not abuse nutritional supplements.
Habit 8: Nutritional Supplements as a Substitute for 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 into a bad one. Using protein powder as a meal and vitamins as fruits and vegetables, believing that consuming these supplements will keep the body healthy. Many people also believe that vitamin drugs are beneficial and that taking more is harmless, which is not true. For example, large amounts of vitamin C are associated with the formation of kidney stones. In principle, nutrition should be improved by adjusting the diet. If the diet is insufficient and supplementation is indeed necessary, it should be recommended by relevant experts, and one must never supplement indiscriminately.