(A Myth-Busting Guide to Diet and Nutrition in a World of Misinformation)
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As a Strength & Conditioning Coach, Personal Trainer, and Certified Nutritional Coach with 7 years of experience, I have encountered numerous myths surrounding daily eating when it comes to fat loss and muscle building. This is a great, informative book that discusses thousands of common misconceptions we hear about nutrition on social media. Online fitness influencers and entertainers all have opinions about what we should eat and what we should avoid. Most of these influencers and entertainers don’t have the proper medical education in the field. Dr. Idrees Mughal, also known as Dr. Idz, is an NHS doctor with a master’s degree in nutritional research and board certification in lifestyle medicine. His book Saturated Facts, shines light on these common myths and what is the best thing we can do for our fitness.
Some of my favorite Fitness Nutritional myths in the book:
- Carbs are best avoided
- Animal protein is better than plant protein
- Producing meat is not harmful to the environment
- The carnivore diet is healthy
- Your blood type matters when it comes to dieting
- It’s possible to be obese and not be at risk of disease in later life
I came across Dr Idz in an article from Women’s Health. Later, after reading his book, I got interested in the MIND diet by Dr. Martha Clare Morris, which he advocated for brain health. Key Components of the MIND Diet:
- Leafy green vegetables: Aim for six or more servings per week.
- Other vegetables: Include a variety of vegetables daily.
- Berries: Focus on blueberries and strawberries, aiming for at least two servings per week.
- Whole grains: Consume at least three servings daily.
- Fish: Eat fish at least once a week, especially fatty fish like salmon or tuna.
- Poultry: Include poultry, such as chicken or turkey, at least twice a week.
- Beans: Eat beans several times a week.
- Nuts: Snack on nuts regularly.
- Olive oil: Use olive oil as your primary source of fat for cooking.
WATCH / LISTEN
Bib
Barraclough, Alice. “My Mission Is to Debunk These Fear-Mongering Health “Gurus”” NHS Doctor and TikTok Sensation Dr Idz on How to Navigate Your Way through a World of Saturated Facts. 14 Mar. 2024, www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/a60077439/dr-idz-saturated-facts/.
By Alice BarracloughPublished: 14 March 2024.
Clare, Martha. The Official MIND Diet. Hachette UK, 26 Dec. 2023.
Dr Idrees Mughal. Saturated Facts. Random House, 14 Mar. 2024.