Debunking some popular food myths

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”

Truth be known that when it comes to what we put in our mouths, it is important to debunk myths.

Dr. Nina’s What You Need to Know about commonly held food myths:

Is double dipping a sin?

It does transfer germs! For those Seinfeld fans out there, George Costanza was not only guilty of failing to be a Good Samaritan, he also committed the sin of double dipping. For those who are not familiar with the show, George played a slow-witted, unlucky-in-life man. In one episode, he was confronted at a funeral reception after dipping a chip in a bowl of dip, taking a bite off the chip, and then dipping it back into the bowl. George was told “That’s like putting your whole mouth right in the dip!” And the argument resulted in a scuffle on the floor.

Scientific studies have actually been performed to provide some clarity on this contentious matter. It is estimated that each double dip transfers approximately 50-100 bacteria from one mouth to another. Additionally, the thicker the dip is, the greater the number of germs that get transferred when double dipping.

What you need to know is that double dipping does add a small amount of bacteria, but not as much as sticking our whole mouths directly into the dip. My suggestion: small chips, baby carrots and cleverly cut celery to remove the temptation and avoid a wrestling match.

Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

The answer is yes … with several caveats. There is absolutely no single magical medication, supplement, elixir, potion, fruit, vegetable, shake or gimmick that can grant us immunity against disease or death. Remember the saying “Too good to be true?”

With that being said, apples are very good for us. They are jam-packed with antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients and fiber. Most fruits and vegetables also share these benefits. And where one may have more of a particular vitamin, say, Vitamin A, another may have more of Vitamin B. And that is why eating a variety of them is best so that we get the greatest benefit.

What you need to know is that eating 4-5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day can decrease the chances of seeing your doctor. When combined with being physically active, not smoking and seeing your physician for routine checkups, this can help us achieve our best health.

Is eating late at night bad for us?

Not necessarily. We all know that a growling, hungry stomach can prevent us from falling asleep, and even wake us up from our sleep. And we all know that a lack of ZZZ’s can have mental and physical effects on us. However, depending on what we eat and how much we consume, it is possible to promote sleep and quench those hunger pangs without causing weight gain, acid reflux and nightmares.

What you need to know is that foods are no more fattening when they are eaten at 10 pm than if they are eaten at 10 am. It is the TOTAL number of calories that we consume throughout the day that will add inches to our waistline. To that extent, experts recommend keeping our bedtime snack less than 200 calories to avoid this. Additionally, consuming foods with vitamins and nutrients that are important to the complex cycles of sleep can help nudge us along our path to getting our ZZZ’s.

Let the truth be known. It’s difficult to navigate through all the information that is thrown at us. As we strive to eat healthier, we need to debunk the myths that can lead us astray or be “persistent, persuasive,” or even harmful. We need to separate fact from fiction. By us honing in on the “truth,” it allows us to take care of our bodies. After all, it’s the only one we have to live in.”

This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered specific medical advice. Always consult with a qualified medical professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Dr. Nina Radcliff is dedicated to her profession, her patients and her community, at large. She is passionate about sharing wise preventive health measures. Contact her on Facebook or Twitter @drninaradcliff.