TriVita’s Food Fact or Fiction Survey Part Two

(1). Fiction. Your goal should be to keep your total daily intake within 20-35% of your calories, but that doesn’t mean every single food you eat must be low in fat. The idea is to balance high- and low-fat items over the course of a day or two within a healthy eating pattern.

(2). Fact. Healthy snacks like whole grain crackers with low-fat cheese, or fat-free yogurt with fresh fruit, can keep you fueled, and help you eat sensible meals.

(3). Fiction. If you eat too many calories from any source (carbohydrates, fat or protein) and don’t exercise, you’re more likely to gain weight. Excess calories from any source are stored as fat.

(4). Fact. It takes planning and care, but vegetarian eating can be healthful. A plan should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy or alternatives, along with protein that may include eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, beans and nuts.

(5). Fiction. Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin in the body. Foods high in sugar are often also high in calories. Overeating these foods can lead to weight gain, and people who are carrying too much weight are at increased risk for diabetes.

(6). Fact, BUT – when they do work, it’s only for a short time. Any weight loss is unlikely to be maintained over the long term. The eating plan that works is one you can follow for life, combined with physical activity.

(7). Fiction. Color is not a reliable way to identify healthy food products: the food label is. To get all the benefits of whole grains, eat three or more servings daily.

(8). Fact. Most people’s daily sodium (salt) intake should be 2,300 milligrams or less. That’s about the amount of salt in one teaspoon. Most of the sodium we eat comes from processed foods, so check food labels to see how much sodium is contained in each serving.

(9). Fact. An extra 100 calories daily adds up to about a pound of weight gain per month. On the other hand, you can lose 10 pounds a year by cutting 100 calories per day and increasing your physical activity.

Source: TriVita VitaJournal March 2009 pg 30