4 Huge Health Misconceptions to be Happy About

I used to say I'd never eat "healthy" because I enjoyed life. I liked my egg yolks, darn it, and wasn't going to stop eating them. Fortunately I realized that there are many misconceptions floating around in the health world, and I'm here to set the record straight.

1. Eat an Egg…ALL of it: "But egg yolks have cholesterol." "But egg yolks will make me fat." But…but nothing. Recent studies show that egg yolks don't raise your cholesterol after all, according to the John Tesh Radio Show. Eggs are nutritional powerhouses! Cholesterol-and-health.com says:

   In fact, the slew of nutrients in an egg yolk is so comprehensive that a few a day would offer better insurance than a multi-vitamin. Most importantly, the yolk contains most of the nutrients in an egg.

   Egg whites, on the other hand, contain far fewer nutrients. The only thing that could justify their consumption is their attachment to their companion yolk.

   Egg yolks contain essential fatty acid DHA, minerals like manganese and iron, and also iodine - something we get SO little of in our diets. Up to 95% of people are iodine deficient (Dr. David Brownstein says), and iodine is important in adrenal gland function and protecting against cancer. Egg yolks even protect against blood clots and helps your eyes!

2. Hungry After 8 p.m.? Then Eat. You can't underemphasize the importance in listening to your body - for fullness, for over-exercise, and for hunger. Thing is, your body can't distinguish whether it's 8 p.m. or 3 p.m., as backed up by Dr. Mary Flynn. If it needs calories, it needs calories. In my opinion, the reason people try not to eat later is because they have already eaten too much early in the day and don't want to continue the sabotage through late-night snacking. Ever crave worse food late at night? Me too. But if you're hungry and it's 10 p.m., have a yogurt or piece of fruit. No harm in that.
3. Fat is Your Friend: Fat alone doesn't make you fat. Eat it in the proper proportion and you're good to go. Just as you wouldn't want a serving platter full of mashed potatoes, or too many carrots to where you turn orange, moderation is key …not just for fat, but anything, really. So what does fat do? For one, it helps facilitate proper nutrient absorption. Monounsaturated fats, like olive oil, avocado, and nuts, are fantastic for you and even help your heart. Eat more fat, and watch how it helps your skin glow and your hair shine. When I lived in Spain, I had tons of olive oil, and my skin had never been better.
4. Tired? Pour Another Cuppa Joe: Coffee itself isn't bad. It's when you get those sugary, syrupy Starbucks beverages that you get into sketchy territory. If you have two cups of unadulterated coffee each day (again - moderation), you can reduce your risks of Alzheimers, dementia, and even cancer. In a recent study from John Tesh's site, there were some interesting findings:

• A Swedish study of 60 thousand women found no link between coffee and breast cancer. And they did the study in Sweden because they consume the most coffee in the world.
• Caffeine can improve your mood and your memory, because it has a beneficial effect on your brain chemicals. It can also help alleviate migraine pain.
• Preliminary research from Johns Hopkins University finds that caffeine may open airways to the lungs, making it easier for asthmatics to breathe.
• A study from the Netherlands shows that caffeine can reduce insulin sensitivity and may stave off diabetes.
• And scientists who tracked over 80,000 women found that caffeine can reduce the risk of gallstones. (Tesh.com "Coffee Lovers Rejoice! Caffeine is Good For You")

(Yep, I've definitely had coffee with a headache and it's magical.) Honestly, if you have coffee with almond milk and cinnamon, or just go easy on the creamer (we all have our vices), it shouldn't sabotage you. It does more good than harm, really.

I love when I can have the things I love and do what I love to do, so hopefully this happifies you as it did for me! Eat and drink up, and do so whenever ya gotta!   Sources: http://voices.yahoo.com/health-benefits-egg-yolk-6849644.html http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/weight-loss/busting-10-diet-myths-10000001700385/ http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Egg_Yolk.html http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/complementary-medicine/201108/iodine-deficiency-old-epidemic-is-back http://www.pinterest.com/pin/530017449868345411/ http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Truth-about-fats.shtml http://www.tesh.com/story/health-and-well-being-category/coffee-lovers-rejoice-caffeine-is-good-for-you/cc/6/id/2635 http://www.pinterest.com/pin/530017449868345411/ http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7d/01/2b/7d012b185980c67070886732cf8c9b20.jpg