In today’s era of technology, there is an abundance of nutritional advice listed across platforms. May it be the internet, magazines, television, or the newspaper, there are several do’s and don’ts regarding nutrient intake and healthy eating. All this can not only get extremely overwhelming but also make it difficult to identify what is right and which information you can trust. To help you out, we have whittled out four very common nutrient myths that most people do not know about. Bursting these nutrient myths will help you improve your health and promote overall well being. 

4 Common Nutrition Myths

1. Exercise Is More Important Than Diet

This is absolutely false. No amount of exercise can ever make up for a bad and unhealthy diet. While indulging in regular exercise certainly helps to stay fit and healthy, it is only responsible for 20% to 30% of your body’s weight. 

A lot of people believe in nutrient myths. They think that doing a rigorous workout entitles them to eat poorly for the rest of the day. But if your goal is to lose weight, you need to watch every small thing that you eat. Also, after a workout session, it is important to eat right to promote muscle recovery and also keep the appetite in check. 

Exercise is very important for overall health and wellbeing. It also increases the efficacy of consuming a nutrient-rich diet. However, it is wrong to rely on exercise alone to reach your ideal body weight. In the end, it all comes down to 80 percent food and 20 percent exercise. 

2. You Can Get All The Nutrients You Need Through Diet

Focusing on consuming a high nutrient diet is the key to stay mentally and physically fit. But contrary to nutrient myths, the body does not fully absorb the nutrients present in the food items. Only a small percentage of it gets absorbed by the body whereas the rest gets eliminated. 

Thus, it is a good idea to opt for nutritional supplements. When used correctly and in the right form, they can be highly beneficial. For many people, especially those suffering from health conditions like type 2 diabetes or those who take medications like statins, birth control, taking supplements can considerably affect their health. The body does not get all the nutrients from the diet alone. So, supplementing it can help to meet the body’s daily nutrient requirements and stay healthy. 

Also, people following restrictive diets, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those over 50 years of age can really benefit from taking nutritional supplements. They must consult their doctor and discuss their specific condition before integrating any supplements into their routine. 

3. Your Nutrient Needs Will Stay the Same throughout Life

This is one of the most popular nutrition myths. Your life cycle plays a crucial role in determining your precise nutrient needs. 

Let’s take the example of iron. Men and women have varying requirements for this nutrient. Typically, both men and post-menopausal women can meet their iron needs through diet alone. However, menstruating women generally need a little extra iron for their bodies. Similarly, pregnant women require iron in an even greater quantity. Thus, it is safe to conclude that nutrient needs vary at different stages of life. 

It is a great idea to opt for a multivitamin supplement designed for your age and life stage. This will help to ensure you stay fit and healthy throughout. 

4. Nutrients Are Essential So I Should Get More and More

There is no doubt that nutrients obtained through healthy eating are essential for your health. But at the same time, it is important to maintain a careful balance. Overconsumption of any nutrient can sometimes lead to unpleasant side effects. Thus, you must stick to the recommended daily values for each nutrient and ignore nutrient myths. 

Let’s consider vitamin C. Although vitamin C is very important for the body as it helps to regulate metabolism and boost immunity, consuming it in very high quantities can lead to digestive troubles. 

With so much information available at your fingertips, it often becomes hard to discern between nutrient myths and the reality. It is best to conduct thorough research and reach out to your healthcare professional with any queries that you may have. This will help you focus on quality eating and even intake a nutrient-dense diet.