Abby Coleman, a nutritionist at The Edge clinic, clarified common misunderstandings about healthy food and nutrition, noting that one misconception is that carbohydrates are bad and another is that fruit is harmful due to its sugar content. According to Daily Express - Health, Coleman described carbohydrates themselves as not bad, with unrefined carbs like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and fruit being beneficial. She explained that these provide slow-releasing energy, keep you full longer, and supply essential nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals, adding that carbs are not inherently fattening, as it's the type, timing, and amount that matters.
Regarding fruit, Coleman noted it is a whole food containing natural sugars, and according to Daily Express - Health, she described how fruit sugar is packaged with fibre, which slows absorption and prevents blood sugar spikes, while also providing essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The evidence supporting these claims and their acceptance among other experts remain unclear. Coleman also debunked the myth that a perfect diet is necessary for health, advocating for consistency over perfection.
According to Daily Express - Health, she described striving to follow good habits around 80 percent of the time, with a 20 percent margin for flexibility, and emphasized that it's rarely about any single food but almost always a matter of moderation and balance. The potential health risks or benefits of this 80/20 rule and its applicability to specific populations, such as people with diabetes, are not detailed. Addressing cost concerns, Coleman noted that a fourth misunderstanding is that healthy food options are expensive.
According to Daily Express - Health, she described how specialty health products can cost more, but eating well doesn't have to break the bank, with basics like fruit, vegetables, oats, beans, rice, and eggs being affordable. Practical tips for affordable eating beyond these basics are not specified.