10 steps to a healthy food attitude

Break harmful habits that keep you from experiencing the joys of healthy eating.

Updated:: 2009-10-17 16:06

Published:: 2005-10-25 00:00

By: Vanessa Hurley

Nutrition myths 1-5

What does it take to have a good food attitude? Eating should be a pleasurable experience, so go ahead and enjoy your food. Here are 10 common beliefs to challenge in order to embrace a healthy outlook on food and eating.

1. Skipping meals helps you lose weight.
Contrary to what you may have heard, starving yourself isn't the way to slim down. Eating several small meals throughout the day helps boost the rate at which your body burns calories; helps you feel more energetic and helps manage your weight. In fact, research has shown that those who skip breakfast tend to consume more food/calories later in the day, which could contribute to weight gain. (Click here to read about more nutrition blunders.)

2. Eating healthy means cutting out high-fat foods from my diet.
You don't have to give up the foods you enjoy for the sake of healthy eating. Enjoying delicious foods is one of life's greatest pleasures and all foods can be part of a healthy diet. So indulge in your favorite foods once in a while and remember that no one food is considered bad for you, it's your total diet that counts.

3. Eating healthy is expensive.
Some of the most inexpensive foods are also highly nutritious. For example, whole-grain breads and cereals, pasta, brown rice, beans, fruits and vegetables are low in fat and provide dietary fibre. Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits provide the same variety of essential vitamins and minerals as fresh produce and can be less expensive.

4. Carbohydrates are fattening.
Carbohydrate foods such as grains, legumes, potatoes and corn are naturally low in fat. In fact, one gram of fat has more than double the number of calories found in carbohydrates. However, any food eaten in excess of what our body needs can contribute to weight gain. Be cautious of the portion sizes, as well as the spreads or sauces you add that may add extra calories and fat.

5. People who are lactose intolerant cannot consume milk products. Individuals with lactose intolerance can reap the nutritional benefits of milk. Some milk products can be consumed depending on the individual's tolerance. For example hard cheeses, such as cheddar or yogurt, contain minimal amounts of lactose and are often well tolerated. Fluid milk is often better tolerated in smaller amounts spread throughout the day with meals. Lactose-reduced milk as well as lactose-digesting enzymes and tablets are other options to consider.

Click to continue for more tips on how to break bad food habits...

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