3 Diet Myth Busters

1. Pasta is fattening - false 

Guess what? Pasta won't make you gain weight! When you team it up with the right ingredients and keep portions in check, pasta can be part of your lifelong healthy eating plan. It's a star player in the Mediterranean Diet, which experts rave about for good reason. Pasta dishes in this diet often feature fresh veggies, tangy tomato sauce, heart-healthy olive oil, and just a bit of fish, legumes, or lean proteins. Speaking of portions, aim for about half to two-thirds of a cup of cooked pasta per serving—it's key for managing your weight. The Institute of Research analysed the diets of 23,000 Italians and found eating pasta didn’t relate to weight gain. People who ate pasta weighed less than those who didn’tAnd here's a fun fact: the starch in pasta digests slowly, so it keeps you feeling full longer. Still not convinced? Well, consider this: Italians chow down on pasta three times more than Australians do, yet Italy's obesity rate is 3 times lower than Australia's. So go ahead, and enjoy your pasta guilt-free! 🍝

2. Fat-free food is healthier than High-fat foods - false 

So wrong!  Many high-fat foods are extremely nutritious such as raw nuts, salmon & olive oil. 

The fat-free and low-fat diet fad? Yeah, it's so last century—think '80s and '90s. But believe it or not, some people are still a bit wary of fat. Here's the deal though: fat is essential for a healthy life. It's not something to fear—it's essential for protecting our organs, maintaining cell membranes, and even supporting growth and development. What’s more, diets that are higher in fat have been proven just as effective — or even more so — than low-fat diets when it comes to encouraging weight loss. Plus, it's a key player in helping our bodies absorb those important vitamins. But here's the thing: not all fats are created equal. So, when it comes to choosing your fats, go for the good stuff—like heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Load up on goodies like olive oil, canola oil, nuts, nut butters, and avocados. They're way better for you than the not-so-great fats found in fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. It's all about making those smart choices for a healthier you

3. Carbs are bad for you - false 

One of the oldest weight loss myths around is the idea that a low-carbohydrate diet is the ultimate solution. However, it's not something you can stick with for the long haul, and it can have some pretty serious health implications. Carbs are the body's go-to energy source, and they also help retain water. So, when we slash carbs, we might see a drop on the scale, but it's mostly just the water weight we're losing.

The low-carb diet trend keeps popping up time and time again, but it's often just another fad. While some people do experience weight loss success on this diet, it often unfairly demonises all carbohydrates, including nutritious options like fruits and whole grains. Sure, cutting out highly processed carb-loaded foods like chips, cookies, and white bread can lead to weight loss, but it's not because carbs are inherently bad—it's because you're ditching less nutritious choices. I'm sceptical of any diet that completely nixes an entire food group. You run the risk of missing out on important nutrients when you eliminate foods that provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Ultimately, prioritising a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil, and modest portions of meat and dairy is recommended for overall health and well-being. Interestingly, more studies are discovering eating with other people is known to make us happier, eat more nutritious food and have more life satisfaction than those who don't. In the end, sharing meals with others can enhance the enjoyment of eating.

❤️ Lara