National Nutrition Week – Debunking Nutrition Myths

Written by Shewar. M | Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)

In a word filled with quick fixes and conflicting health advice, it can be hard to know what is best for your body. Whether you are aiming to improve your physical fitness, mental well-being or overall health, it is easy to fall for myths that offer fast results but lack long-term benefits. 

At PsychPhys™, we provide evidence-based Dietetic and Exercise Physiology services designed to give you real, sustainable improvements for both body and mind.

This National Nutrition Week, let us debunk some of the most common nutrition myths and explore how proper nutrition and exercise work together to enhance your health and well-being. 

Myth 1: Carbs are the Enemy

Diet history has painted carbohydrates as the villain by linking them to weight gain, but did you know that cutting out carbs can leave you low on energy, mentally foggy and irritable? This is because carbs are your body’s preferred fuel source, particularly for the brain. Just like how a car cannot run without petrol, our bodies cannot run without good quality carbs. 

Fact: The key is choosing the right kind of carbs  – think wholegrains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. These provide a steady energy source for your body, helping you to stay energised. These food sources also promote the release of serotonin which is a mood-boosting neurotransmitter (happy hormone). Our dietitians at PsychPhys™ can help you understand which carbs support optimal energy levels and mental clarity. 

Myth 2: You Can Out-Exercise a Bad Diet

While exercising is essential for maintaining health, what you are eating and drinking is equally important for supporting energy, endurance and recovery. Eating poorly can leave you feeling drained and make it hard for you to reach your fitness goals. 

Fact: At PsychPhys™, our dietetic services ensure that your nutrition supports your fitness journey while our exercise physiologists provide tailored exercise plans to enhance your physical health.

Myth 3: Fat Makes you Fat

Just like carbs, the right types of fats are essential for your health, particularly brain function and hormone regulation. Healthy fats known as unsaturated fats found in avocados, nuts, olive oil, fish and seeds are essential for body functions, improve brain health and reduce inflammation. 

Myth 4: Skipping Meals Helps with Weight Loss

Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism and lead to overeating later in the day. It’s better to eat regular, balanced meals and snacks to maintain steady energy levels and control your appetite.

Myth 5: All Calories are Equal

Not all calories are equal. Nutrient-dense foods like fruit, vegetables and lean proteins nourish your body and mind while processed food contains “empty calories”. This means they provide little or no nutrients and may leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated. 

Fact: Our PsychPhys™ Dietitians emphasise quality over quantity. Our dietitians can help you identify nutrition rich foods to support your body and mind needs.

Myth 6: Detox Diets are Essential for ‘Cleansing’ the Body

The trend of detox diets and drinks have many people believing that these extreme measures are needed to eliminate toxins.To date, there is very little clinical evidence to support detox diets. The best detox system is within our bodies already. Our liver, kidneys and intestines do a great job filtering and eliminating ingested toxins. In fact, these extreme diets can do more harm than good. 

Myth 7: Gluten is Bad for Everyone

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Many believe that going gluten-free is essential for good health, weight loss, or reducing bloating. Truth is, gluten is only harmful for a small percentage of the population, specifically those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. 

Fact: For most people, gluten is perfectly safe and provides important nutrients like fibre, B vitamins and iron when consumed in whole grain. Cutting out gluten without medical reason can actually lead to nutrient deficiency, especially if it’s replaced with highly processed, gluten-free alternatives that lack nutritional value. Our Dietitians help you determine whether gluten is truly an issue for you and provide tailored advice for your needs. 

Myth 8: Eggs are Bad for Your Heart

Fact: Many studies have now been conducted in healthy people showing no effect of daily egg intake on blood cholesterol levels. The National Health & Medical Research Council’s Australian Dietary Guidelines advise that consumption of eggs every day is not associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease. It’s far more important to ensure you’re eating a diet low in saturated fats. Eggs are low in saturated fat, have no trans-fat and a very minimal amount of cholesterol. Most of the fat in eggs is the ‘good’ unsaturated fat that we need to be healthy.

At PsychPhys™, we empower you to make informed choices that support your physical fitness, mental clarity, and overall health. This Nutrition Week we help debunk these common myths, and encourage you to embrace a holistic approach to nutrition and exercise—one that nourishes not just your body, but your mind as well.

References

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