Ditch your Old-school Thinking on Foods

Vitamin C can keep you from catching a cold.

Healthy eating: Research has shown that vitamin C does not ward off colds, except among marathoners, skiers, and soldiers on sub-Arctic exercises.

Raw carrots are more nutritious than cooked.

Healthy eating: Cooking actually increases carrots’ nutritional value! The process breaks down the tough cellular walls that encase the beta-carotene.

To minimize fat and calories, always remove the skin before cooking chicken.

Healthy eating: Baking, broiling, grilling, or roasting poultry with the skin intact helps preserve its natural juices. Cook with the skin—and then remove before serving.

Eating celery burns more calories than you take in.

Healthy eating: It’s a food myth that celery has “negative” calories. But, with less than 10 calories per serving, it’s great to munch on to lose weight.

Legumes must be eaten at the same time as grains to get a “complete” protein.

Healthy eating: Eat a mix of amino acids throughout the day and you'll get all the complete nutrition you'll need. But yes, beans and legumes are nutritional powerhouses, high in protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, potassium, and other minerals, while low in fat.