• DisciplineFitnessCoach

Healthy Habits That are Not

Looking into Google for when researching what we can do to keep our bodies healthy is opening a can of “what the?” Right into your face most of the time. Through contradictory arguments and vague research, what are we going to believe?

Sometimes the science can be inconclusive, other times it may not work for you when I did for someone else. The ten routines that we may or may not practise in our lives are least likely to help keep us healthy, so ditch them altogether!

Overuse on antibacterial

When comparing antibacterial soap and regular soap, there isn’t much evidence when it comes to eliminating germs. And when the antibacterial products contain triclosan, it has never been fully researched. The current data on Triclosan shows that exposure to high doses is associated with a decrease of some thyroid hormones, whilst some concluded that triclosan contributes to making nasty bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Low-fat foods and beverages

Medical and nutritional professionals have been touting this for the last twenty or so year; “fats” cause weight gain and heart disease. However, new research says that a diet low in fat isn’t the best either. Overconsumption of certain fats, like trans-fats and some animal-fats, have been known to increase risks of cardiovascular disease. Increases in unsaturated fats, typically found in most fish, avocado and olive oil decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and can improve your heart and brains health.

Juice cleanses

Any evidence that implies drinking your fibreless 2 fruit and 5 vegs in a glass will cleanse your body of toxins is unsubstantiated. It may help you lose weight temporarily, but the amount of sugar combined with the lack of fibre, healthy fats and proteins can do more harm than good especially for people with diabetes, osteoporosis or are anemic. The lack of fibre also means problems for the digestive system, too!

Diet sodas

Sounds healthy, right? But they're not. Wide rages of studies suggest that low or zero-calorie soft drinks can lead to heart problems, increased appetite and subsequently, weight gain. Recent studies suggest that aspartame, an artificial sweetener, can cause headaches, anxiety and insomnia, and the key ingredient in, Splenda, Sucralose has a laxative effect.

Sticking to “fresh” foods

Although fresh foods are not inherently bad, its just not absolutely necessary. The though is that canned and frozen foods are worse than fresh. This isn’t true. Frozen veggies and canned beans and some meats are low in calories, have no additives and often have a longer shelf-life. Just because it's convenient, doesn’t mean its unhealthy, in this case.


Doctors have touted that you shouldn’t stick anything smaller than your elbow into your ear. The fact that you cannot reach either of these two together unless you’re really flexible, means nothing should go into your ear. It even says this on the package “do not insert the swab into your ear canal”. But you’ve done it. Q-tips can irritate the delicate skin of the ear canal or worse, puncture or perforate your ear drum. The ear was isn’t meant to be cleaned out anyway.

Over-consumption of protein bars

Seems like a great source of… Protein… doesn’t it? As their high protein, low carb ratio is achieved by artificial sweeteners, sugars or alcohols that cause bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence. Most protein bars don’t usually have many wholesome ingredients and rely on soy protein isolate; a vegetable-based protein that doesn’t have much in nutritional value. If the bar doesn't have an artificial sweetener, then your no better off grabbing a Snickers Bar.

Skipping meals

Unless you forgot to eat, skipping meals means that you're not achieving your daily caloric intake and therefore low in nutrition (But I take multi-vitamins!). This can lead to fatigue, poor concentration and irritation (or just plain old hangry!). It may cause you to over binge later. A minimum of three well-balanced meals is the best way forward to lose weight.

Sticking to cardio

Cardio is great by strengthening your heat, lungs and increases in the flow of blood cholesterol, but look into combining it with resistance training. This will further help with weight loss as well as reductions in depression, lower risk of diabetes, better balance and decreased back pain.

Over consuming supplements

Some people who eat well-rounded diets are less likely to need supplements. Recent research on nutrition in developed nations outlined that less than 10% of people in the developed world have any kind of deficiency such as iron, folate or vitamin a, B6, B12, C, D or E. Some supplements if taken over a prolonged period of time can cause liver damage. A wholesome, well-rounded diet is all you will ever need.

2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All