5 Misconceptions about healthy eating

Don't assume that anyone can eat a healthy diet and not have to track how many calories they are taking in. There are MANY of us that have to carefully watch the total amount of calories we are taking in even it is from veggies, fruit, whole grains and lean protein in order not to gain weight.... even with regular exercise. Otherwise this is a great article.

My only disagreement is that you don't have to count calories. You can eat highly nutritional, healthy foods and still consume too many calories - thus gaining weight. As an example, nuts and natural nut butters (we're talking nuts and olive oil, not some chemical creation at the grocery store) are very good for you. High in fiber, high in essential fatty acids - and also very high in calories.

Great blog!

Healthy is boring and expensive! I wish it wasn't! Lettuce without dressing...yuck!

Rebecca/Elizabeth...I agree, portion control is a must. Although, I don't know that taking it to the extreme of counting every calorie is always necessary. It really depends on the individual. I guess the point is that most people think that they can't lose weight without meticulously counting every calorie. If someone changes their lifestyle and starts eating healthier foods, as opposed to those that are unhealthy, the calorie counting doesn't have to be so extreme...they will start to see changes. Let's face it, you can pretty much eat as many veggies as you want without having to count every calorie. Celery, spinach, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers...are all so low in calories, you don't have to obsess about them.

Finally, some common sense! dc, healthy doesn't have to be boring or expensive. You don't need to spend obscene amounts of money on organic foods-it's been proven that they aren't any better for you than traditionally grown foods. Regular iceberg lettuce without dressing IS boring and tastes nasty-however, iceberg lettuce is also pretty much worthless with no real vitamins. Try spinach leaves, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens instead, and use a low-cal vinagrette dressing with a lot of flavor. Not boring, and not expensive either!

I completely agree with #2. I watched football with the boys this weekend and they had all sorts of fatty appetizers. I was salivating when I first walked in and started eating, then realized that it was heavy and greasy, didn't taste very good, and I could already feel it curdling in my stomach. I stopped immediately and spent the rest of the game in front of the bowl of pineapple and strawberries. I felt better for it and they tasted great!

I also agree that you don't need to count calories. Portion control IS important, but as long as you are keeping track of what you have eaten in your head, you don't need to write down each calorie. I have an eating disorder in my past and I tend to get obsessive if I keep a food diary. I do much better with just having a general idea of what I've eaten and be conscious of how I feel.

Thank you so much for demystifying what is basic mathematics.
Expend more calories than you ingest and your weight will drop. If you have less descipline in regards to food (like me!) then MOVE MORE.
Eat less + move more = weight control.
It really is fairly simple.

I know, it's so annoying when I order a salad and someone always has to say "are you on a diet?"
No, I just love eating fresh vegetables and love that I don't feel bloated and nasty eating it. And as much as I love chips, I can't live without my fruit! It's sad that many people equate delicious fruit and veggies to depriving yourself.

Yes, portion control IS a must. I worked around 'healthy' foods, but I ate ALL DAY long (ahh, the BLTs... those add up) and so, I was eating healthy foods - but my eating habits were not so healthy. I'm no longer working around food, so I've started eating little meals throughout the day - down 50lbs or so?

I think one misconception that many of my friends have is: Salad = Healthy. Sure, a salad is healthy on it's own (just veggies, some fruit or nuts, etc)... but if you pour on a cup of ranch dressing and add a pound of cheese onto a little bit of lettuce, it's most likely worse for you than a piece of lean meat, some steamed veggies, and *gasp* a starch. Even if you do eat 'healthy' salads - it gets boring quickly. You need to mix it up! Read about different herbs, spices... various flavor profiles will make eating healthy far from boring!

"Misconception 2: Eating healthy is boring, tastes awful and is never satisfying."

I love this one, too. The hubby and I did the 'yummy, rich' food thing on New Year's Eve... and felt ill. The first few bites tasted good, but then I was praying to just keep it down. New Years Day was back to the foods we normally eat, but I still felt ill from the day before. I made pumpkin oatmeal craisin cookies to send home for the holidays - and though they worked out to be about 1 WW point each, everyone loved them. I didn't mention they were healthy, but after the fiber kicked in... I think everyone figured it out. They also loved the dates, figs, and cactus fruit - a nice alternative to the rest of the edible gifts.

I eat the atkins way Dec 29, 2008 265#. Today 177#. I have been steady between 175 & 180 for the month. Easy diet never hungry. I do cheat on occassion. pants at start 38" w in denial 32" w perfect now.

When I started eating healthy, I took away the dressing for my salads and marinades for my meats. I nearly barfed each time. Trying to eat my lunch and dinner was a chore and it left myself and my husband misserable. I then added fruits and meats to my salads and rubs without sugar and low sodium to my meats. Much better. Eating healthy can be bland if not told what you can do to change it.

As for calories, I keep to the recommended 2,000, I just pay attention to what is in the ingrediance. Also, it is false that sugar is bad for you. Natural sugar is good for you, as long in small doses, it is added sugars that are bad. If a product says sugar in the nutrition facts, but not the ingrediance, then it is natural.

I agree with Rebecca that portion control still must be considered. This article is very refreshing. Everytime I say anything about healthy eating my kids kringe. So I've stopped telling them it's healthy. There are many good whole wheat pastas,they won't even know are healthy when you smoother it with a veggie rich sauce.

In my opinion you comment an error. Write to me in PM, we will talk.