Nutrition MythBusters Gabrielle DiPiazza

1. 100% Fruit Juice is an acceptable alternative to serving fresh fruit to children FALSE 100% Fruit juice offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit. In fact, fruit juice lacks the fiber of whole fruit.  Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits to meet their recommended daily fruit intake. Excessive juice consumption and the resultant increase in energy intake may contribute to the development of obesity.

2. Organic produce is always a better option than non-organic FALSE  Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. This guide identifies the 12 produce items that have the highest levels of pesticides (Dirty Dozen) as well as the 15 produce items that have the lowest levels of pesticides (Clean 15).

3. Gluten-Free foods are generally healthier than foods that contain gluten FALSE Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley which cause an adverse reaction ONLY in people with celiac disease  Many gluten-free processed foods are lower in fiber, vitamins and minerals than their gluten-containing counterparts

4. Fats are an important part of a child’s diet TRUE Our bodies need fat: it nourishes the developing brain and protects our organs. However, Adults should be aware of the difference between “good fats” and “bad fats” for children. Some examples of “good fats” include nuts, seeds, olive oil, and lean meats.

5. As long as my child takes a multivitamin every day he or she is covered nutritionally FALSE It’s a good step in the right direction, but it’s no substitute for the real thing. The contents of a multivitamin represent only a small fraction of the important phytonutrients found in plant foods. The term phytonutrient is a broad term for the wide variety of compounds produced by plants. They’re found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and other plants.

6. Whole eggs are healthier than egg whites TRUE The yolk is where a lot of the nutrition is The yolk contains over 40 percent of the protein and more than 90 percent of the calcium, iron and B vitamins — in a whole egg It also contains all of the egg's healthy fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).

7. Frozen or Canned vegetables are as nutritious as fresh vegetables TRUE Frozen and canned vegetables contain the same nutrients, in essentially the same amounts, as fresh vegetables Vegetables are harvested and canned or frozen when their nutrient content is at its highest Fresh vegetables often have a better flavor, but are usually more expensive than the canned or frozen varieties. It’s certainly better to eat frozen and canned over choosing not to eat vegetables at all. If buying canned vegetables, be sure to pick ONLY cans with no added sodium.

8. If bread looks brown and is labeled “wheat bread” , it is considered to be whole wheat bread FALSE The Whole Grains Council has created an official packaging symbol called the Whole Grain Stamp that helps consumers find real whole grain products. Or, check the package label and make sure that it says “100% whole wheat”

Learn More … SOURCES: American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for kids Foundation www.ChooseMyPlate.Gov The Environmental Working Group The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine The Whole Grains Council