Fact VS Fiction

Busting overarching myths

- SHRADDHA CHOWDHURY

India is in the midst of a second wave of the coronavirus. And like the first time around, there are rumours galore on dos and don’ts, on what helps boost one’s immunity and WhatsApp University’s miracle cures that even the biggest doctors around the world have yet to discover. While such “expert” tips found an even bigger audience during the pandemic, similar health, nutrition, wellness, beauty and fitness advice has been around for decades—only to be amplified by the advent of social media.

At one point or the other, we’ve all fallen prey to such bogus claims that are far from being research-driven or having any informed backing. HELLO! looks at some of the most common myths that the real experts have busted over the years.

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Myth: Carbs are the enemy

Fact: Cutting out an entire nutrient source is never wise. Nutritionist and health coach Luke Coutinho has reiterated this repeatedly. It’s not the carbohydrates alone that make you fat, he says, rather the type of carbs, portion sizes and the time you consume it. They are the main source of energy for our body and also fuel our brain, which, when deprived, can make you irritable.

Myth: The source of the calories, unhealthy or not, doesn’t matter

Fact: If you have to choose between 200 calories of chips vs 200 calories of cottage cheese steak, opt for the latter. The human body burns more calories while digesting proteins than fat. NYCbased certified nutritionist Michele Jacobson puts it simply: “The range of nutrients you get in your diet is of utmost importance.”