Debunking Food Myths, Past and Present

Strange ideas about food are almost as old as food itself. From the moral objections to eating beans raised by Pythagoras to wacky fad diets from the 1970s (anyone up for a "Master Cleanse"?), people have always had unusual ideas about what we eat and how it impacts us. But while it's easy to laugh at outdated ideas about diet and its role in our lives, some food myths are alive and well today.

Are Potatoes Good for You?

Then: Potatoes cause leprosy and syphilis!

Yes, the humble, beloved source of French fries, mashed potatoes, and chips was once thought to be a vector for dangerous diseases. This led to Europeans, who hadn't traditionally eaten potatoes prior to the sixteenth century, to avoid them, and even warn others off of eating them.

The Truth: Potatoes don’t transmit STIs, but they are high in carbs

Potatoes don't cause Hansen's disease (formerly known as leprosy), let alone syphilis, which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, one reason for the misconception may have been that potatoes were staple foods in areas where financial deprivation was common, where many people were suffering from disease acquired from living in often unsanitary conditions–leading to a false conflation between illness and potatoes. That said, potatoes are high in carbohydrates, meaning they should be a limited part of a low-carb diet.

Is Processed Food Bad for You?

Now: "Processed" food is bad for you! 

You probably hear this one regularly; many popular sources of health and wellness advice encourage people to "avoid processed foods," which are often presented in contrast with "whole" or "natural" foods. But what does it mean for a food to be a processed food?

The Truth: Processed foods can be healthy options

"Processed" food just means any food that's been modified by humans – including bread, salads, and cooked meats. While so-called "ultra-processed foods"--which have been altered in a wide variety of ways to the point that they are a long distance, chemically speaking, from their original ingredients, and often contain excess salt and sugar–can be unhealthy if eaten in large quantities. “Processed" on its own is often just another way of saying "cooked” or “prepared.” For example, if you peel an orange before you eat it, you are technically processing that food. So while we should always try to make sure to eat minimally processed foods when we can, many healthy food options are inherently processed. What we should avoid whenever possible are ultra-processed foods…. especially those that have an extremely high volume of sugar, carbohydrates, or preservatives.

Are spicy foods bad for you?

Then: Spicy foods are bad for women! 

Part superstition, part wrong-headed pregnancy advice, spicy foods like chili peppers, and even ground black pepper, were thought to be bad for women from the nineteenth century into the 20th century. These included myths that spicy foods made women angry, overly passionate, induce labor prematurely, and cause chills that could damage the uterus. The message was clear—ladies, put down the Sriracha and walk away from the Tabasco.

The Truth: Most spicy foods are fine, no matter your gender

For the most part, the worst spicy foods can do to you is give you indigestion – whatever your gender. The idea that it was bad for women specifically is likely a sexist food myth based on the idea that 19th Century women should be bland and docile—and therefore, should only eat bland foods. 

That said, spicy foods aren’t entirely without risk. Spicy foods may cause heartburn and indigestion in some people, and some studies have linked spicy foods to aggression. In addition, foods with extreme amounts of capsicum can cause a neurologic pain response that, in very rare cases, can cause hospitalization and even death. However, it is extremely unlikely you would ever eat anything that spicy by accident. 

Can cheese give you nightmares?

Then and Now: Cheese can give you nightmares! 

Have you ever been warned to beware of "cheese dreams,” or vivid nightmares after eating cheese close to bed? Cheese dreams are a persistent food myth with a long history. For example, in 1904, Winsor McKay–the creator of the Little Nemo comic strip–drew another syndicated comic strip called Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, which was all about the phantasmagoric dreams the main character had after eating a dinner of melted cheese. 

The Truth: "Cheese dreams" are more baloney than cheese

There's no evidence that cheese causes vivid dreams or nightmares—let alone the claim made by the British Cheese Board in the 2000s that different varieties of cheese can cause different dream experiences. That said, if you're sensitive to dairy products, cheese before bed can lead to disrupted sleep, and if you're anxious about the possibility of "cheese dreams," that anxiety may cause nightmares in itself.

Does eating high-fat foods make you gain weight?

Now: Eating fats will make you fat! 

Although this idea was probably at its fever pitch in the 1990s, it still can't seem to quit. "Low fat" and "fat free" are still commonly found on grocery items as an indicator that the food in question is healthy, or suitable for people trying to lose weight. The assumption: that lower fat foods are inherently healthier than foods that are higher in fat.

The Truth: Fats can be good for you! 

In particular, unsaturated fats like those found in fish, nuts, and olive oil can help boost your "good cholesterol" levels—and don't inherently make you fat. Gaining excess weight is usually caused by metabolic issues, or eating more food than your body needs. They can also help you regulate your blood sugar, making them beneficial for people on low carb and low sugar diets. That’s why eating unsaturated vats are a vital component of the Virta program, which helps people reclaim their metabolic health. Find out if you’re eligible for Virta here.