- Do you select foods deemed “healthy” because, if it says so, it must be true? Is granola one of your favorite snacks? Purportedly healthy, granola can be packed with sugar and be calorically dense. Protein bars fall into this category as well. Gluten- and fat-free foods are not always ideal choices, either. Gluten-free foods may have up to 13 times more fat than gluten-free fare. Fat-free foods may have more sugar than their regular counterparts to compensate for consumers’ taste buds.
- There are some experts who encourage people to eat small amounts of healthy food throughout the day as a diet strategy. But some take this advice literally and eat for most of the hours they are awake. The correct concept of this diet is to limit the number of hours you allow yourself to eat. Most people assume an eating window of 14 to 16 hours, but dieticians say this window should only be between 10 to 12 hours long.
- Do you brush your teeth after every meal? Well, depending on what you just ate, you may be doing more damage to your teeth than that one sugary dessert you allowed yourself. If you ate highly acidic foods, you may want to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before taking brush to tooth. Acidic foods soften the tooth enamel making it susceptible to damage such as darkening teeth and gum rescission. Brushing too aggressively can damage teeth, leading to possible tooth decay and loss. The solution: Gently brush with soft, rounded bristles twice a day.
- The brilliant rays of the sun are both healthful and dangerous. Some young people believe that a base tan will protect them from the harmful effects of the sun. But any degree of sun exposure can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Researchers have found that base tans offer protection equal to an SPF 4 sunscreen. This is little to no sun protection at all. To protect yourself, avoid going out into the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Always wear sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or higher and wear sun-protective clothing whenever possible.