6 Common Dietary Myths in India

The globalization and the fast paced life has forced people to consume food that are instantly prepared and are tasty. The food is quickly prepared and enhances one’s taste buds but this has resulted in obesity and various chronic diseases affecting the vital organs of human body. Nutritionists and dieticians all over are suggesting for a diet which should contain lots and lots of fruits, vegetables and cereals including jowar, bajra and soya products.
Inorder to overcome with this problem, people have started following strict dietary plans , however there are certain dietary myths which have worsened the situation further and there are contradictions associated with the concept of so called ‘healthy food’.
Zee Research Group busts out some common dietary myths by top dieticians of India.

Myth 1: Milk is a complete food
• People think that milk is a complete food, but actually it is not so, milk has calcium and some amount of protein and carbohydrate. If somebody is relying only on milk, then the person will definitely suffer from deficiencies. 
• Milk lacks iron and Vitamin –C. 

Myth2: People think that almonds have cholesterol
• There is no reality to this fact. Any plant product will not have cholesterol. All animal products like paneer, ghee, eggs, meat, and chicken have cholesterol. 
• It doesn’t have any cholesterol, as it contains Omega 3 fatty acid and it is actually very good for heart.


Myth3: Curd should not be taken at night or if a person is suffering from cold
• This is absolutely not genuine as curd can be taken at any time if taken at room temperature. 
• Curd is a predigested food and it is better to have curd if suffering from cold as it would be better utilized by the body and it would it be digested easily. 

Myth 4: Consumption of water only leads to the dilution of urine
• One should drink lots and lots of water as it not only dilutes the urine but it also removes toxins from the body. It is extremely necessary for the normal functioning of the body as each and every cell in the body needs water. 
• Overdrinking of any drink is bad. But of course, Indians should drink more and more water as Indians perspire a lot because of the climatic conditions.  

Myth 5: Eating rice at night makes you gain weight
• It is partially right. If one happens to eat white rice at night it leads to retention of water in the body which leads to swelling of the body and also those who are sensitive to carbohydrates if they consume rice at night it might lead to weight gain but it would happen gradually.

• It is extremely necessary for one to note how to burn one’s calorie. It is advisable to consume fewer calories at night, but one can remove the starch and can consume rice.

Myth6: Bananas should be totally avoided
• It is true that bananas have calories but it also has lots of potassium which is good for health. It should be eaten in a balanced way.  
• Bananas contain sugar, if anybody’s body is sugar sensitive, that person will gain weight