6 Diet mythsByKristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD Aug 22, 2016 Diet

In my line of work, you can’t escape diet myths and rumors. I get questions all the time from patients, friends and family members about the hottest new diet trends or online rumors or questionable tips for healthy eating.

But what’s true and what’s stretching the truth? What does the research say?

In our series on the top 6 diet myths, I set out to answer those questions. Get the answers in the stories linked below.

1. Does Sea Salt Beat Table Salt?

Up first — sea salt. It’s marketed as “all natural” and thought to be healthier than table salt, but what do the facts say? Although we do need some salt daily for normal health, we end up getting far more than the recommended amount. Learn the truth, and get tips for keeping your sodium intake in check.

2. Can a Vitamin Meet Your Body’s Needs?

When it comes to the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to thrive, can a pill beat what nature provides? Not all vitamins are bad, but don’t discount the value of getting your vitamins and minerals from whole foods. Learn the pros and cons of daily doses.

3. Should You Cut Out Carbs?

If you’ve dabbled in diets through the years, you’ve undoubtedly considered cutting out carbs. Let’s take a look at what the research says and see if we can sort fact from fiction.

4. Should You Stop Eating Eggs to Control Cholesterol?

General opinion on these protein powerhouses seems to change pretty often. But what’s the science behind that opinion? Find out the facts, and get tips for cooking eggs — and healthy alternatives.

5. Can You Drink Diet Soda Without Gaining Weight?

No calories means no weight gain, right? That is what diet soda drinkers often think as they make another trip to the drink machine or convenience store. Current research indicates a possible link between artificial sweetener consumption and weight gain and the health risks that go with it.

6. Do Raw Foods Have More Nutrients?

Are foods best consumed just the way they arrive, or do our culinary habits offer added benefits for our health? The truth is that it varies from food to food. In some cases, how you cook your food affects how your body reacts to it.