Six "Healthy" Habits That You Should Break

In your bid to keep healthy, you follow the news on internet keenly and try to follow the latest health fads. But many a time, the information you will find is not very reliable. It is better to exercise some caution while following these health fads or you may end up doing more harm than good to your health.

Here is a list of some of the so called “healthy” habits which may prove to be detrimental to your health in the long run. You are better off without them.

1. Relying completely on artificial sweeteners

So you, too, have been impressed by the claims that these artificial sweeteners make of rewarding you with a wafer thin body in no time. You have a sweet tooth and just can’t pass up the opportunity of eating something sweet. And the manufacturers of artificial sweeteners claim that their products will take care of all your weight worries. Deceived? You are not the only one!!

So many people switch to artificial sweeteners big time, naive enough to believe these false claims. Whenever we consume sugar, our brain expects to get an energy boost. Once it gets the requisite energy, your body will signal the sensation of satiety. But with artificial sweeteners, this energy surge never happens. Therefore there is no signal from the brain to tell you that you are satiated. The result is that you end up eating far more than you would have otherwise.

Moreover, as you do not get enough energy after eating foods that are artificially sweetened, you tend to feel lethargic after an artificial sweetener bonanza. This reduces your normal metabolic rate resulting in lower number of calories burnt. So, we see that in the long run, replacing normal sugar completely with the artificial sweeteners defeats its very purpose.

2. Consuming a fat free diet

There are innumerable studies citing the ill effects of fat deposition in our body. Wherever you go, everybody is talking about the importance of losing fat. No wonder, you have also been impressed by these conversations and the studies and have been going to the limit in your bid to banish fat from your diet. But hold on! As excess of anything is bad for your body, similarly depriving it of something is also equally bad.

Do you remember your early science lessons?  In the list of vital nutrients for our body, fat was also present. There are so many vital processes in our body which require fat as a medium. There are fat soluble vitamins which get absorbed only in the presence of fat. Even when we study about the cardiovascular system, we come across two categories of fat — there is the good fat which has a cardio-protective function, and the bad fat which leads to deposition of cholesterol in the vessels, eventually leading to atherosclerosis.

When we get finicky about excluding all sources of fat from our diet, we are depriving our body of the good fat as well. Fat is essential for a taut skin and strong lustrous hair. A fat deficiency can lead to slowing of reflexes and even depression. Moreover, fat acts as a storehouse of energy and helps us get through difficult times. Say no to donuts, sure. Just don't sacrifice olive oil or avocados along the way, because you absolutely need those healthy fats to stay healthy.

All “Healthy” Habits Are Not Necessarily Good

3. Popping multivitamin pills indiscriminately

In our fast paced life, many times when we do not get an opportunity to prepare a wholesome nutritious meal but we still want to look after ourselves, we turn to alternative sources. Many people, especially children, have got so addicted to junk food that they are losing out on important nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy. Multivitamin pills have come as a boon in this scenario. But therein lays the big question! Are multivitamin pills essential for everyone?

Or have nutritional supplements become just another fad? According to Christine Rosenbloom, a professor emeritus at Georgia State University, more often than not, people just pop in these multivitamin pills without really understanding whether they need them.

As most of the foods are already fortified these days, most people's risk of developing nutritional deficiencies are slim to none. Consuming more vitamins than are actually needed can lead to dangerous side effects. Toxicity of vitamin A can damage a developing fetus whereas excess of vitamin C can lead to gastrointestinal distress, to name just two examples. Too much of vitamin B6, can cause nerve damage. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2009 states that if a person is not suffering from any particular nutritional deficiency, consumption of normal healthy food is always preferable to popping multivitamin pills. Only take multivitamins if your doctor tells you to.

4. Relying solely on bottled water to quench your thirst

You avoid tap water because of the fear of unknown germs it may be containing. Rightly so! But even in places where the tap water has been declared fit for drinking, you just cannot let go of your habit of bottled water. But think again — you might be doing yourself more harm than good because of this steadfastness.

It has been shown that bottled water is completely devoid of fluoride, a chemical so important for the health of your teeth. Deficiency of fluoride can lead to tooth decay. Experts suggest that instead of bottled water you can opt for filtered water which does not contain any germs but also does not leaves you bereft of essential minerals.

5. Cleaning your hands with a sanitizer every time you touch anything

Ever since the launch of hand sanitizers, the companies making them have earned tremendous profits because of people who are paranoid about cleanliness. Every time they come in contact with the outside world, they just have to clean their hands with a sanitizer. But be careful. Dermatologists say that most of these sanitizers contain triclosan, a chemical which promotes the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Unless and until you are in an area where germ concentration is likely to be high, like a hospital, washing your hands with simple soap and water is sufficient. In fact, soap and water are just as effective, if not more, than hand sanitizers. So go easy on your habit of using hand sanitizers. Use them only if you do not have access to soap and running water, as an alternative.

6. Brushing your teeth every time you eat something

Dentists advise us to brush our teeth every morning and before we go to bed. But some people have taken this habit to extreme. Every time they eat anything, they brush their teeth vigorously to keep their oral hygiene in top condition. But dentists say that this is another of those habits that can cause more harm than good. Food leaves acid on the teeth which weakens the enamel. Brushing vigorously can scrub away the weakened enamel leading to cavity formation. Instead of brushing, opt for rinsing your mouth properly with water after every meal. Save the brushing for mornings and night.