Planning to lose weight in the New Year? Avoid these diet and nutrition myths

BOSTON - After weeks of holiday baking, feasting and champagne toasts, many of us will vow to eat healthier in the new year. But before you tackle your grocery list, let's take a look at some diet and nutrition myths.

Myth 1 : Strictly Limiting Carbs Is Healthy

That's a 'no' according to Boston University professor of nutrition Joan Salge Blake. 

"There are so many wonderful things that carbohydrates do for your body," she told WBZ-TV.

According to Salge Blake, carbs are critical for energy as well as gut and brain health. She also warns that many of us will feel it if we eliminate them. 

"You are going to feel tired, you are not going to be able to concentrate," she said.

The quality of your carbs is important. Fruits are better than anything with added sugar and whole grain breads and cereals are unnecessarily demonized. Both are loaded with fiber which can help with digestion. 

"Let's get out of the laxative aisle in the supermarket and come on into the high-fiber cereal aisle," she said.

Myth 2 : Plant-Based Milks Are Healthier

According to Blake, oat and almond milks don't have the same levels of calcium, vitamin D and potassium and they may contain added sugar.

But what about vegans and those who are lactose intolerant? 

"If you are not going to have dairy milk, the best alternative is fortified soy milk," she said.

Myth 3 : Full Fat Diary Is Best

"There is a lot of buzz about whole-milk type yogurt, or full-fat yogurt, but buzz is buzz, it's not based on science," she said.

According to Blake, fat is important because it keeps you full, but she recommends heart-healthy fats like those found in avocados, olive oil, nuts, and salmon.

Myth 4 : Wild Salmon Is Better Than Farmed

Blake's advice on this is that both are equally nutritious. 

"When people ask me this question, 'which one do you eat?' The correct answer is which one is on sale," she said.

If your goal is to lose weight in the new year, keep in mind that healthy doesn't necessarily mean low calorie. If you want to shed pounds, you have to eat fewer calories than you burn.