‘Healthy habits’ that aren’t actually that good for you

August 3, 2017 by Medigroup

For years, medical journals, doctors and health enthusiasts have been releasing contradicting advice on how to take care of your body and overall wellbeing. This information makes it very confusing, leading many to follow yesterday’s trends and other popular approaches. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest “healthy habits” that aren’t actually good for you.

1. Avoiding fat

People often plan their diets around low-calorie, low-fat foods, but this is fatally flawed, particularly after you’ve achieved the results you’re looking for. Some fat is actually necessary to absorb healthy nutrients. Inc. contributor Jessica Stillman suggested focusing more on avoiding processed foods in favor of whole ones. She noted that avocados and fish are typically healthier than chemically manipulated low fat snacks even though they are packed with fat.

You should adopt this same mentality for eating fruits and vegetables over juices and smoothies. Fruit juice contains a lot of sugar, with some doctors comparing its contents to classical sodas. Choosing fresh fruit and veggies instead will provide more fiber, more nutrients and less calories.

Some fat in your diet is necessary to absorb good nutrients.

2. Staying out of the sun

Summer can be a rough time for some, as the sun beats down and temperatures rise. As a result, individuals might choose to stay out of the sun entirely to stay cool as well as prevent skin cancer, burns and premature skin aging. Locking yourself inside isn’t the best course of action, but neither is overexposure to the sun, so what’s the solution? Thrillist suggested getting around 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day. This will foster calcium absorption, reduce depression and provide other critical health benefits. If you’re outside for longer than this recommendation, apply sunscreen regularly to block harmful rays while still reaping the advantages.

“Fads ultimately lead to overeating and weight gain to compensate for the lost nutrients.”

3. Cutting out a food group

We’ve all seen the food pyramid with levels indicating what types of foods we should be regularly eating as well as the quantity that is recommended for consumption. However, some people follow diet fads that cut out entire food groups, e.g. eliminating carbohydrates or dairy to get the weight you desire. Doing this will force you to miss out on important nutrients and will only work for a short time, Reader’s Digest noted. These fads ultimately lead to overeating and weight gain to compensate for the lost nutrients. All is good in moderation, and that’s just as important to observe when you’re dieting.

4. Watching the scale

Weight can mean a lot to people. It’s a number that identifies just how healthy you are and helps you set goals. However, looking too much at the scale can derail progress and add stress. Woman’s Day noted that the ups and downs lead many to overanalyze their weight fluctuation. It’s important to remember that there’s no fast lane for weight change, and you will get exhausted from trying to keep up. Counting your days of exercise and hours of sleep instead will be more beneficial to your wellbeing.