It’s that time of year again when everyone starts thinking about what they should be doing for the coming year. We often struggle to make resolutions to improve our health, and sometimes it can be difficult to navigate through all the information or focus on one area at a time in order to make progress.
The truth is, there are many misguided beliefs that lead people down the wrong path when dusting off their list of health resolutions. So if you’ve made resolutions over the years and haven’t been able to reach your diet or lifestyle change goals, stop here! While we admire your ambition, let us steer you away from these 6 common misconceptions about making long-term healthy changes that could end up derailing your intentions for success rather than helping them.
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Eliminate starches:
While it’s important to ensure that the carbohydrates in our diet come from whole grains and other unprocessed sources, eliminating all starches can lead to nutritional deficiencies. In addition, you risk depriving your body of the essential vitamins and minerals present in these foods.
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Getting back to sport intensively:
Getting in shape is a great goal, but one of the biggest misconceptions about getting there is escalating sports and exercise too quickly. While going from zero to 100 might seem like a good idea, this kind of intensive approach can actually be damaging in the long run. Not only can it lead to exhaustion or simply give you little chance to progress, but pushing yourself too hard can even lead to injuries that require a fairly long recovery period.
To achieve your goals effectively, it’s important to start gradually – start with simpler exercises and increase the intensity as you get used to them. In this way, you will not only be able to avoid negative consequences, but also progress more steadily towards fitness!
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Start a crash diet:
Crash diets are generally not recommended, as they often lack essential nutrients that your body needs and can even be dangerous when practiced for an extended period of time. Instead, focus on healthy eating habits, such as reducing portion sizes and opting for foods that are more nutrient-dense and rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds.
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Eliminate fat:
Contrary to popular belief, fats are actually an important part of a healthy diet plan since they provide energy and help absorb certain vitamins like A, D, and E that support brain function. Of course, it’s best to limit saturated fat intake by avoiding processed meat products or fried foods in oil, but including healthy oils like olive oil or avocado oil can also help promote a balanced diet!
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Eliminate salt and sugar:
It is important to consume a moderate amount of sugar and salt to have a balanced diet. While insufficient intake can make us feel sluggish and lead to nutrient deficiencies, excessive consumption of sugar and salt can lead to serious health problems, such as hypertension and diabetes.
The easiest way to reduce intake is to avoid processed foods, as they often contain higher levels of these two ingredients. Instead, make a habit of including more natural foods in your diet, such as fruits, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Monitoring your daily sugar and salt intake is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally.
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Highlight “light” products:
Diet products are mistakenly thought to automatically be healthier, when in reality they often contain artificial sweeteners or preservatives that can harm long-term health. It is important to keep this in mind and examine the label carefully before buying a product marketed as “light” or “low calorie”.
Opting for natural food sources whenever possible is the best way to ensure that you are nourishing your body without unwittingly consuming potential hazards. Ultimately, unless the label explicitly states otherwise, always assume that low-fat products may contain artificial additives.
