Dubai: Wellness has taken on an all-new meaning in recent times with anyone worth their salt dishing out tips on good health. Their pearls of wisdom appear everywhere - in newspaper articles, TV shows, social media and drawing room conversations - and somewhere along the line, the many misconceptions being bandied about have become the “gospel truth”. Priya Cima, Dubai-based wellness expert and co-creator of the wellness platform www.mymedini.com, says, “The journey to well-being should be encouraged, however with all the information overload, it should also be a cautious one, undertaken with as much awareness and knowledge of the techniques, foods and products used.” Check out 10 wellness myths she debunks:
1. There’s never “too much” of the superfoods
Superfoods are packed with goodness and require low amounts of consumption to gain as much, if not more, benefits to health than non-superfoods. They help the body get rid of toxins, promote cellular regeneration, make you look younger and more energetic. However, too much of any good thing can cause problems. The question that arises is the safety of these superfood varieties when taken excessively or in a combination. It’s always wise to keep track of the effect of each element on the body so as not to ingest too much of it. Superfoods contain anti-oxidants, and overwhelming the body with them can cause an imbalance in the system’s natural workings.
2. Regular detoxing is good for the body
Detox diets have grown in number and popularity, however when used frequently they can cause the body to be depleted of the nutrients it requires to boost immunity, grow healthy cells and maintain a natural balance. Detox diets can help in the short-term to lose weight, but unfortunately they can cause harm if they are done the wrong way.
3. Sugar is the enemy
Granted too much sugar is not good. However, sugar can be found in most foods, processed and natural. Sugar that the body gets when eating raw fruits or vegetables is in fact healthy and necessary for the body to have energy. It’s the sugar that is found in fast food and candies that is harmful. Also, sugar-free foods can contain elements that may not be healthy for the body.
4. Eat more nuts
Yes, raw nuts are healthy, but within limits. A handful of almonds is good for the body, but snack on them all day, in place of crisps, and it can cause weight gain because of high calorie content.
5. Sleep more to rest
It’s not only the number of hours a person sleeps, it’s the time and how that matters. Sleep should be restorative to the body, or else it is of no use and the person wakes up tired. The sleeping environment should be calming, the time the body needs its rest is approximately seven hours. Knowing in today’s world this may not be possible, the next best thing is to understand what happens while sleeping. Various organs start work at specific times of the day and night, and when this cycle is disturbed, it causes illness, fatigue and even depression.
6. Fat is a dirty word
For a long time now, fat has been considered to be dangerous to good health. The body needs certain fats to function normally. Fat is required to build cells, protect organs and help in blood clotting. A certain amount of fat intake is necessary and diets that cut out all fat and calories can cause a decrease in immunity and general health. There are good fats and bad ones, it’s the transfat and saturated fats that should be avoided and not fat found in vegetables, fish and nuts.
7. Exercise more to lose weight
Unfortunately putting the body through a rigorous exercise programme is not the answer to healthy weight loss. The trick lies in arriving at the right combination of healthy eating and exercise regimen that allows for rest periods so the body can recover. Hitting the gym daily, then eating and drinking without understanding what is going into the body can even cause gain in weight.
8. Always buy organic
Unfortunately buying all organic products can become an expensive mission and people tend to slowly give up on the idea because it becomes a financial strain. However, buying “home grown” fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets, or local farms (which now do exist in the UAE) is a viable and sometimes even healthier and cheaper option. Local supermarkets have sections where they sell local farm grown items, and yes, they may not look as shiny as the imported ones, but they are fresh and seasonal and do not have preservatives.
9. Skipping meals helps weight loss
This is never a good option. When the body is depleted of the necessary nutrients it starts to look for them in whatever form it can get, and that can become harmful. In fact, the body goes into a defence mode where it will start to store fat to use later, possibly leading to weight gain and not loss.
10. It takes work, effort and focus to stay well
A wellness journey should be a part of daily life. Meditation should not be forced, eating healthy should not be about denying the pleasures of treats and physical exercise should not be a chore. All these elements can be integrated into daily living simply by understanding and accepting that what works for one does not work for all.
