With various diets such as the restrictive low-fat South Beach Diet or the low-carb Atkins program, dieting can be hard to keep up with because what is considered “healthy” is constantly being modified. When changing eating habits, it’s important to take into account the facts and myths about nutrition.
Firstly, vinegar is known for its various uses in cleaning, laundry, gardening and even healthy cooking. The fact is, when vinegar is consumed with starchy foods such as bread, the food is processed slower, thus lowering glucose levels.
According to nutritionfacts.org, “Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects.”
At home, bread can be eaten with balsamic vinegar for the same results. Another perk of consuming vinegar is it’s nearly calorie-free with only three calories in two tablespoons.
Goji berries are possibly the best dry fruit to eat and are a better alternative to raisins. However, as goji berries usually cost a pretty penny, lychee is a cheaper option, often sold at Asian markets such as Mitsuwa Marketplace on Kearny Mesa Road. At home, goji berries or lychee can be used as a replacement for raisins and can be added to trail mix or oatmeal.
Pumpkin seeds are a healthy option that can be conveniently packed for school. They are the most nourishing part of the pumpkin as they contain high levels of magnesium in every serving. They can be sprinkled on a salad or roasted as a snack while increasing longevity.
Although there are many healthy foods to consume, many people still have misconceptions about the potential harms. For example, even though many people believe distilled fish oil and eggs are healthy, they can often be contaminated with pollutants. Along with eggs and fish oil, parasites have been found in three out of four fast food burgers. Also, injections of ammonia in hamburgers are frequently used in attempt to eliminate E. coli.
The New York Times writer Michael Moss wrote, “Officials at the United States Department of Agriculture endorsed the company’s ammonia treatment, and have said it destroys E. coli ‘to an
undetectable level.’”
Instead of spending money on fast food burgers, college students can save money by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at home. Natural peanut butter has been known to lower the risk of heart disease in women.
Commercial milk is an essential item found in most American refrigerators. However, many people are not aware that estrogen in milk can cause prepubescent children to sexually mature at a younger age. In reasonable amounts, soy milk is a healthier alternative that comes in a variety of flavors and can be found free of genetic modifications and estrogen.
With diets fading in and out, college students aiming toward a healthier lifestyle can make small changes in their diets for long-term health by modifying what they eat. The better students take care of themselves now, the less they will have to worry in the future.
