Healthy Eating

“MYTH” VS. “FACT”

1. All fats are bad, and following a low-fat diet is

the best way to lose weight!

MYTH!- Fat is necessary for energy,

especially for active and growing teens. Choose fats such as nuts, avocados, seeds and fatty fish

which contain monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids!

2. More television viewing is associated with greater obesity.

FACT!

Teens who watch the most television are less active and eat

more junk food.

3. Canadians have lowered their rate of heart disease because they eat less fat now than they did 30

years ago.

MYTH!Eating less fat doesn’t translate

into healthier Canadians. Canadians are more unhealthy

now than ever before! Part of this reason is portion size and inactive

lifestyles!

4. Dietary fiber helps reduce your risk of heart disease

FACT!Fiber helps lower the risk of heart disease AND cancer. A diet high in fiber includes foods such as fruit

and vegetables. Fiber helps fill you up, without adding all the calories!

5. The best fat is polyunsaturated fats.

MYTH!The healthiest type of fat is

monounsaturated fats and oils from olive and canola oil. Saturated and Trans-fats are two types of fats

to try to avoid.

6. Vegetarians are never overweight.

MYTH!Vegetarians can be just as

unhealthy as any other individual if they do not watch their diet

carefully. Vegetarians need to take daily multi-vitamins in order to

avoid nutrient deficiency.

7. If the label says “fat free”, it is most likely lower in calories.

MYTH!Fat free does not make a product calorie-free. Most manufacturers add sugar to fat-free cookies to

make up for the texture and taste changes. Read labels!

9. Not eating until supper time will increase chances of losing weight.

MYTH!

People who eat smaller meals more frequently through out the

day have a better chance of losing weight. Your metabolism may slow

down because it is conserving calories.