Sometimes we have to show our positive affirmations or say "Yes" to something or some concepts which carry the elements of doubt with them. What can we do? We are parts of some social groups and we do not love the idea of entering into an argument. And see, these social groups are so powerful that they can even lead you to believe some untrue facts after a period of time. You tend to get influenced by what others say or suggest. An untrue fact then seems to be the largest or the "holiest" truth of this world. This is how a myth spreads. Myths are disgusting when it involves the more serious aspects of life - health, food, finances and fitness! Myths even exist in your "grocery carts".
Here are some of the common myths associated with grocery shopping:
Myth #1: Eggs With Brown Shells are More Nutritious Than Those With White Shells
Fact: The color of the eggshell does not affect nutrition, but it indicates the color of the bird's feathers and earlobes. Brown eggs come from red hens with red earlobes. And since brown eggs often cost a bit more than the white ones, you can save a little money by preferring the white ones without having to compromise on your nutrition.
Myth #2: Wheat Bread is Made With Whole Wheat
Fact: There is no certainty that brown-colored breads or crackers bearing the labels "flour," "multi-grain" or "cracked wheat" are made from whole wheat. In fact, most of them are prepared from refined white flour. But you can still achieve to select a true whole grain by checking the ingredient list. The term "whole" or "whole-grain" should be mentioned before the name of the grain that you've chosen. Look for terms like "whole-grain rye" or "whole wheat" before selecting.
Myth #3: "Organic" Means Healthier Every Time
Fact: Organic foods may be associated with lesser intake of pesticides, but you cannot definitely say that it's "extra nutritious". You don't have to worry much about oranges, avocados and other produce which are consumed without their skins. You need to wash a fruit or a vegetable thoroughly irrespective of whether it is organic or not.
Myth #4: Avoid Sweets and Make Healthier Choices
Fact: There is no harm in trying out fruits with yogurt or ice-cream, a low-fat pudding or candies with nuts embedded on them. Dark chocolate is necessarily a component of a weight watcher's diet and don't mind to buy the ones with raisins. Complete banning is not needed, but you need to exercise proper control on the portion intakes. And do care to control the consumption of the highly provocative calorie-packed cakes and cookies.
Myth #5: "Low-Fat" and "All Natural" are Always Healthy
Fact: Make a point to check the nutrition label rather than getting carried away by tags like 'low fat' or 'natural'. Avoid foods with rich sodium, sugar and calorie contents and go for the ones, the saturated fat content of which are less than 8% of the daily value per serving.
Myth #6: Go for the Original Fruit Juices
Fact: There are some juices that are naturally low in sugar. Examples include pomegranate, cherry and cranberry juices. Don't go for the "fruit juice drink" labelled cans. They're nothing but carriers of sugar and are without any nutritional value. While at home, limit your daily juice consumption to around 120 to 180 ml because even a real fruit juice can come with loads of calories.
Myth #7: Buy in Bulk Quantities
Fact: You may get a great economic deal by buying foods in bulk quantities. But make sure these are not the super-sized packets of junk foods. If you need to buy in bulk quantities, consider opting for the staple food items and the frozen ones which you consume as part of a healthy diet.
Myth #8: Ask the Kids to Stay Back at Home While Going for Shopping
Fact: Most of us keep our kids at home as we think that they will indulge in buying candies and cookies. You can involve your kids in meal planning. Allow your kids to learn the importance of reading food labels and teach them about healthy as well as unhealthy food choices. Tell them why they should opt for fiber-rich foods and the reasons why they should keep themselves away from foods rich in trans fat and saturated fat. Your children will consider eating healthy foods if they have assisted you in the selection process.
Myth #9: Nothing can Stand in Competition with Fresh Produce
Fact: The prices of fresh fruits and veggies may sometimes make you run out of your budget. In such cases, you can go for frozen foods as they have been frozen at a fully ripened stage. This conserves the nutrients and and the freshness of the frozen foods. If you buy canned food items, then wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove the added sugar. This way, you will also be able to wash away up to fifty percent of the added salt content.
Myth #10: All Dairy Items are Calorific
Fact: Dairy products are good sources of calcium, protein and vitamin D, but they are also storehouses of fat, cholesterol and calories. But you can still indulge in a healthy consumption of dairy products by going for the low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese.
Myth #11: Loiter Near the Outer Aisles of the Store
Fact: You can expect low-fat dairy, healthy produce and poultry stacked up in the outer boundaries of a grocery outlet. Do take care to visit the middle aisles as well; Healthy staples like canned tuna and olive oil are commonly found in the middle aisles. And can you really afford to miss out the food taste enhancers like vinegar, spices and sauces?
Myth #12: Frozen Meals are Deficient in Nutritional Value
Fact: Frozen foods at times are healthy, but make a wise choice and go for lean protein, vegetables and whole grains. Meals prepared by baking, grilling, sauteing and steaming are healthier. Avoid the fried options and the creamy delights. Go through food labels to limit your fat and sodium intakes.
Myth #13: Buy Milk in Clear Bottles
Fact: Some people think that milk tastes better in pretty glass bottles, but in actuality, it's best stored in opaque containers to help prevent riboflavin, an extremely light-sensitive B vitamin present in milk, from breaking down.
It's really a fun going out shopping for grocery items. Every new product launch will draw your attention and you will reach your hands to grab a container from the shelf. But again, your mind may remain preoccupied with certain myths which can interfere with your food choice or purchase decision. Just clear your concepts before you add anything to your wish list. Unload some myths from your grocery cart!
