With all the constantly changing information given by self proclaimed experts on social media, healthy eating can be quite confusing. From the low fat, low carb and no carb diets to the more recent high fat, no solids and juicing diet; one wonders what is left to consume to maintain health and life.

Not all arguments on social media are backed by science and what works for one person may not work or be healthy for another.

The many available diets have resulted in misconceptions which people follow blindly. These misconceptions need to be broken for people to adopt sustainable health practices.

Juicing is necessary to cleanse the body

You do not need a juice cleanse to stay healthy. The body has an inbuilt, natural detoxification process. These daily detox regimens can cause dehydration, lower blood glucose, deplete electrolytes, and impair normal bowel function. They can also disrupt the normal microorganisms that perform useful digestive functions. If you pee, poop, sweat and exhale then your internal cleansing is working just fine.

Carbohydrates are bad

Carbohydrates are very important for health. They are the primary source of energy for the body and eliminating them can cause fatigue and crankiness which can trigger excess eating. Instead of cutting them out, one should focus on consuming whole grain carbohydrates which are healthier.

Night eating causes weight gain

What you are eating is more important than what time you eat. People tend to eat unhealthy foods in large quantities at night. As long as one is eating the right balance of food in the right quantities throughout the day, the time one eats doesn’t matter much.

Fat is bad for you

Fat is essential for human survival. It insulates and protects internal organs, aids in absorption of nutrients, supplies energy and maintains body temperature. Unsaturated fats helps get rid of the bad cholesterol reducing the risk of chronic conditions. When one cuts fat by choosing low fat food, it is important to read the nutrition label carefully for when fat is taken out of a food, it is replaced with sugar.

It is good to have ‘cheat days’

The notion of having a cheat day is such a negative way to view food. Healthy dietary habits don’t require one to have a cheat day. Unsustainable diet fads do. There is no bad food. What matters is the frequency and quantity consumed. Having a cheat day is just ridiculous. It is like saying you will wear clothes six days a week but go naked on Mondays.

For a healthier life and successful weight loss and subsequent maintenance, one should focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle that incorporates dietary practices that can be sustained throughout one’s life.

Being healthy and fit should be a lifestyle, not be a moment or period in your life.