The 13 Biggest Nutrition and Food Myths Busted (Page 8)

7. “I have a weight problem because I eat foods like wheat or dairy that my body can’t process.”

This theory is, in fact, “illogical,” says Marc Riedl, M.D., assistant professor of clinical immunology and allergy at UCLA. The inability to “process” foods, he notes, “would mean the foods are not metabolized and calories would not be absorbed." This would lead to weight loss, not gain, he notes.

“This is an example of how the term ‘food allergy’ has become misused and distorted to be associated with anything unpleasant surrounding eating,” says Riedl. “There is no scientific evidence that a food allergy causes weight gain.” Of course, cutting out whole categories of foods will probably help you lose weight, simply because it takes so many choices off the table.

8. “Radiation from microwaves creates dangerous compounds in your food.” »