2016 Dec 9
by Vandana Hiranand
As Sri Lankans, we all have different notions and beliefs regarding food and general health. Undoubtedly, we hear many of these from our parents and relatives, and a fair few which have been passed down from generations. Here are some of the most common food and health myths which we believe, as unreal as they may be.
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Vitamin C and Colds
A common belief which many of us believe is that taking Vitamin C can help prevent or cure the common cold. However, much research has concluded that as healthy (and tasty) as Vitamin C may be, it most certainly does not ward off colds.
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Avoid Eggs to prevent Cholesterol
Most Lankans are very careful about their egg intake, believing that a eating a lot of eggs will most certainly lead to cholesterol. While eggs do contain a high amount of cholesterol recent research has shown that there is little-to-no relation between dietary cholesterol and higher blood cholesterol levels, nor any legitimate link between dietary cholesterol and the incidence of heart disease. What’s more the FDA (Food and Drug Agency) in the US revised its dietary guidelines removing the 300-milligram daily limit of dietary cholesterol. Hence while keeping saturated fats under a reasonable limit it is safe to consume 2-3 eggs a day depending on your activity level and nutritional requirement.
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Removing Chicken Skin before Cooking
It is common practice to remove the skin of the chicken before cooking, in order to reduce the fat and calorie intake. In fact, cooking the chicken with the skin will help to preserve the natural juices of the chicken. Instead, the skin can be removed after the cooking is complete to eliminate unnecessary calorie intake.
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You must have rice for a complete meal
Ah, rice – our staple food, and the bane of every Sri Lankan’s existence! While rice is a great source of energy, studies have shown that consuming white rice everyday can be rather unhealthy. It contains a large amount of simple carbohydrates, which can spike your blood sugar level and even lead to obesity. It might be in your best interest to forgo the occasional sudu bath packet and opt for the much healthier (high in fibre and minerals) red rice.
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Fat Free foods are Always Better
Many Sri Lankans generalize the healthiness of foods to their fat content, which isn’t always accurate. While this may hold true for meats, it may not be the case with other foods, such as fat-free salads. The exclusion of fat from your meals can have adverse effects on the absorption in your digestive tract and cause detrimental health defects. And most fat-free foods that sit on the supermarket shelves have upped their sugar content to retain flavor. Therein lies the problem as most modern research has suggested that sugar is the true villain and not fat.
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Coffee Should be Avoided
Although many people believe that coffee is rather unhealthy and should be avoided, it has a remarkable number of health benefits, such as nutritional benefits, increased energy levels, is an antioxidant, and seems to lower the risk of many diseases. Although coffee intake needs to be moderated to prevent dependency and for those with hypertension, it need not be avoided.
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Carrots and Eyesight
A popular belief is that the more carrots you eat, the more you will improve your eyesight. While carrots do have a significant amount of Vitamin A and can keep your eyes healthy and functional, it most certainly does not cure or improve your eyesight!
It can be rather difficult to dispel these myths and beliefs, as many have been dictated to us since we were kids. Nevertheless, it’s not too late to begin changing certain patterns and creating a better, healthier lifestyle!
