Carbs at Night to Mangoes for Diabetics: 3 Popular Myths About Food Debunked

How often have you heard myths around foods you grew up eating? “Rice at night is bad for your heart. Coconut oil is bad for your arteries. Mangoes are off-limits for diabetics,” they said.

Today we decided to debunk these common food myths and educate you about how to consume them the right way works to support your health.

Myth: You should avoid eating carbs at night

Fact: We all still believe that dinner should be the lightest meal of the day so your body can effectively move to the rest and digest mode. But lightest does not necessarily mean removing carbohydrates.

Here’s a truth bomb for those who think your body does not need energy when you sleep. When you sleep, it needs energy from carbohydrates for detoxification, revitalization, regeneration, cell growth, and repair. And when it does not get this energy, your body goes into famine mode, shoots your cortisol, and turns up fat storage. Metabolism to burn fat works while you sleep and not when you exercise. Having carbohydrates at night regulates leptin (the satiety hormone) and controls ghrelin (the hunger hormone). It curbs unexplained late-night snacking and sugar cravings.

When you go on a no-carb diet, your brain does not get the energy required to regulate your mood. It can lead to irritability, frustration, and anger. Having carbohydrates in the last meal of the day also boosts serotonin levels and promotes sleep.

Change your mindset about carbs. It is the poor quality and overeating of carbohydrates that cause health issues. Avoid going no-carb. You can go low-carb and or switch to smart carb meals.

Shop for ethically sourced daily flours, grains, and millets here

ALSO WATCH: The Truth About Carbs

Myth: Mangoes make you fat. Diabetics should not eat mangoes.

Fact: Mango, the king of fruits, is a powerhouse of nutrition loaded with macronutrients, micronutrients as well as certain polyphenols. It has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antiviral, cardiotonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its dietary fiber and antioxidants avoid sudden sugars spikes. Mangifera present in mangoes helps improve insulin resistance. The ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds in mangoes also help reduce or prevent obesity and associated chronic inflammatory conditions.

Eat your organic and seasonal mangoes, don’t juice them. Always combine mangoes with a handful of soaked nuts to avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, sprinkle about ¼ tsp of Sri Lankan rolled cinnamon powder to manage your sugar levels better. Avoid consuming mangoes post-sunset. Be mindful of your portions. Consult your health practitioner once before adding it to your daily meals.

Learn more about other health benefits of relishing seasonal mangoes here. 

ALSO WATCH: Mangoes – To Eat Or Not To Eat?

Myth: Coconut oil is pure poison and can cause heart ailments

Fact: We still remember how an article by a Harvard professor took the internet by storm when they said coconut oil kills and is a pure poison. Now let’s look at this closely.

South India has lived on unrefined coconut oil for centuries. Yet, cases of heart disease and chronic inflammation only saw a rise when refined oils began to replace the traditional coconut oil.

Any oil be it refined, wood churned, cold-pressed, virgin, or extra virgin, will cause damage to the heart if you consume it excessively without balancing your total daily intake of oil and fats.

Coconut oil is a naturally occurring saturated fat that does not damage your heart. On the other hand, your poor lifestyle, chronic inflammation, sleep deprivation, lack of movement, and stress do. Made of medium-chain triglycerides, coconut oil acts as a fuel for your body and improves your good cholesterol. It is not a miracle magic oil that will take away your cancer or disease but it has several health benefits. Used in the right proportions, coconut oil repairs an underactive thyroid gland and boosts liver enzymes, immunity, and brain function (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s).

Just like nutritional curriculums are controlled by food lobbies and dairy associations, the medical curriculum is controlled by pharmaceuticals. Don’t thrash an oil that is considered a superfood across countries. If coconut oil killed people, the FDA would be the first to ban it. Make an informed decision.

Shop for unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil here

ALSO WATCH: Using Coconut Oil as Medicine

Share this with as many people as you can and spread awareness. If there are other food myths that you want us to debunk, drop them in the comment section.

Disclaimer: Make an informed descision. If a certain ingredient does not suit you, avoid it. If you have a medical condition or are on certain medications, keep your healthcare provider in the loop before adding anything new to your lifestyle.

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