1. Nutrition MythBusters
Gabrielle DiPiazza

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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).

8. 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.

9. 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”

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