Sometimes health myths are harmless and a little absurd. Even laughable. And then they fade away into oblivion as if they were never really pinned as truths…while those that may have espoused them at their height of popularity vehemently deny so afterwards in embarrassment (um, remember margarine? Yes, the perpetually-rectangularly-shaped-even-at-warm-room-temps block of fat, now exposed as a transfatty acid nightmare, but which was once hailed as the fatty spread savior of mankind!?)
But others hang around and can do serious damage to your health and well-being, eating away at your digestive probiotics. The following five health food myths have been circulating for some time now and don’t seem to be going away. I feel it’s really important to see the other side of the information around these largely believed notions. So let’s debunk them here!
Myth #1: You Can’t Get Enough Protein.
High-protein diets are in the spotlight at the moment, and seem to suggest the idea that there is no such thing as consuming too much protein. Of all the macronutrients (fat, carbs, and protein), protein is the one to have survived countless dietary fads without getting a bad reputation. The truth is, you can have too much and the results could be devastating, like renal damage in those with pre-existing renal disease. A review of dangers associated with high protein diets lists hyperaminoacidemia, hyperammonemia, hyperinsulinemia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and even death. When you consume too much protein, the liver can’t keep up in turning all the excess nitrogen to urea so that it can efficiently leave the body. In general, the toxicity levels in your body increase the more animal protein you consume. 
The RDA recommendation from the Institute of Medicine is .76 grams of protein per kilogram of our weight. So for example, a 140-lb woman would only need about 48 grams of protein per day, which is easy to reach with plant-based Beauty Proteins in a day. You can get plenty of protein on the Beauty Detox program, especially considering the amount of greens you’ll be taking in (about 50 percent of the calories in green vegetables come from protein!).
In addition to the complications of protein itself, animal protein often comes with quite a bit of saturated fat. If you’re eating a diet high in protein and neglecting carbs and fiber, you run the risk of increasing your cholesterol levels and putting your cardiovascular health on the line, says the American Heart Association. Another potential problem with a high protein diet where carbohydrate consumption is diminished is in the colon. One study showed that the lack of carbs and fiber made colon disease more likely.
If you want to consume animal protein, monitor your portion sizes and remember that they “there’s never too much protein” mentality is exhausting to your body and digestive tract, and ultimately, aging you.
Myth #2: Fruit Has Too Much Sugar.
Fruit is the most natural food on the planet for us to eat. If you were stuck in the wild, you would reach for the figs and oranges as a natural instinct. The problem is that modern diets today are so high in fats (which can circulate in your bloodstream for hours and hours) and/or slow-digesting proteins, which can interfere with efficient fruit digestion. When you eat fruit alone or with greens, as you should for optimal digestion and Beauty Energy, the fruit is quickly digested, provides immediate fuel, and acts as the strongest cleanser of toxins to purge out of the body. Fructose also becomes a problem when consumed in concentrated form (like agave) or in foods and drinks (like sodas) that offer nothing nutritionally, which have unfortunately become the norm in the Standard American Diet.
Fruit only has a small amount of fructose (fructose vs glucose) because it’s very sweet, and it’s there as an incentive to make you want to eat it because the whole fruit is so nutritionally dense. Side note: only eat fruit raw or, very occasionally, dried (unsulfured and with no sugar added), as heat causes the fruit to become acidic in the body and strips away the benefits. I’m not a fan of cooked fruit pies (for more than one reason!). Don’t worry, there are healthier desserts to try, when you just need a sweet.
Because you’re only getting a small amount of fructose when you eat fruit, and because fruit contains so much water and so many other vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and fiber, it’s a complete nutritional package that offers so many health benefits (though Blossoming Beauties and those with candidiasis may wish to stay away from the sweeter fruits for a little while, until they’re balanced, as well as those with blood sugar or other specific health issues).
People that deny themselves fruit end up consuming far less favorable sweet flavors in other ways- desserts, chocolate treats, sugar or artificial sweeteners in coffee, etc. We are meant to eat carbohydrates and some sweets for energy- ie fruit, as a natural form of energy. Since I’ve increased my fruit intake so much the last few years, I’ve drastically cut down on desserts, even healthier ones.
Some of the lower sugar fruits include:
- Avocados
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Currants
- Grapefruit
- Green apples
- Kiwi
- Kumquats
- Limes
- Lemons
- Pomegranates
- Strawberries
If you’re not a Blossoming Beauty or suffering from Candidiasis, don’t just limit yourself to those. Fruit—any raw, ripe fruit—is Beauty Food, and it’s good for you!
Myth #3: Greek Yogurt is the Best Way to Start the Day.
Be conscious of what you put in your body. Listen to your body and listen to your intuition. Eat close to nature. Would you go up to a cow in a pasture and suckle off its teet? No you wouldn’t. So why do you eat the yogurt in a pretty package made from the same thing? You’ve lost the consciousness of what it truly is that you are eating, because of the distraction of alluring commercial and modern packaging. But now we have to wake up!
Greek yogurt, a handful of berries, maybe some slivered almonds and honey…a great way to start the day, right? Ugh, no. I cringe when I see people walking from yoga pull out their little yogurt containers proudly from their bags. Gee, look how healthy I’m being they seem to strut, while I turn my head to roll my eyes (Om Namah Shivayah! Don’t be judgmentallllll! Be a yogi off the mat! I remind myself…). Concentrated food that is difficult for many to digest, like Greek yogurt, especially so early in the morning, will weigh down digestion and can contribute to sluggishness. Not to mention, fruit needs to be eaten alone or it can cause bloating (as if dairy didn’t do enough damage on that front).
While concentrated proteins should be left for dinners, I don’t believe anyone should ever eat dairy—not even in the evenings, and especially not first thing in the morning. Dairy is not intended in nature to be human food. It’s created for a baby cow, and humans are the only species that drink the milk of another animal…and through adulthood to boot. It’s acid-forming (which leads to accelerated aging in many forms!) in the body, mucus-forming (and too much mucus can get trapped along the walls of the intestines, trapping toxins inside the body), and can clog up digestion. Our bodies can’t digest dairy because most all of us stop creating adequate levels of lactase, the enzyme necessary to break down the sugars in milk, very early in life (around age 3). It’s very mucus-forming as well. Because of our inability to digest dairy, it cuts down on our Beauty Energy and makes it harder to lose weight, not easier.
In addition, the proteins in dairy called casein and whey (and Greek yogurt is famous for its higher protein content!) in such high levels can be especially harmful to the human body. Dr. Campbell, well-known for his heavily-researched The China Study, found that casein was associated with promoting cancer growth at all stages.
But what about calcium and probiotics? When you eat the acid-forming yogurt, your body tries to neutralize it. How does it do that? By pulling calcium out of the bones, which is an alkaline mineral. The calcium’s not replaced by what’s in the yogurt because most of the calcium in dairy is impossible for our bodies to absorb and use. The net effect, ironically, of eating acid-forming dairy is a calcium loss. Yogurt is not going to do anything to prevent osteoporosis. As for probiotics, you can just as easily get a healthy dose with my Probiotic & Enzyme Salad and a supplement.
Myth #4: Protein or Energy Bars are an Easy Way to Get a Fast Meal.
So many protein bars have ingredients in them—sugar, soy and whey protein, just to name a couple—that you don’t want to be eating. Here are a few examples:
When you look at the front of ThinkThin®’s Creamy Peanut Butter Protein Bar, you see that it has 15-20 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and that it’s gluten-free. But flip it over to read the list of ingredients and you’ll see where that protein comes from—whey protein isolate (from milk) and soy protein isolate, both highly processed and terrible for you. Such fractionated ingredients do not belong in a clean, healthy body. There’s already plenty of casein there, but then factor in the soy, which brings with it GMOs, phytoestrogens to confuse your hormones, isoflavones that can depress thyroid function, and pesticides.
Quest Protein Bars avoid the soy protein, but promote whey protein as if it’s desirable. There’s no refined sugar, but lines outside of the all natural one contain Splenda, an artificial sweetener that is acidic and may contribute to weight gain by lowering the good bacteria in the intestines by up to 50 percent. We want the good bacteria to stay put!
The Coconut Chocolate Chip Clif Bar sounds delicious, right? What’s not to love about chocolate and coconut? This bar contains brown rice syrup as its first ingredient, which is a sweetener used in place of high fructose corn syrup in so-called “healthy” products but could contain arsenic. That’s followed by soy, soy, and more soy (soy protein isolate, organic roasted soybeans, and organic soy flour). Remember what I said about soy? Especially all these highly processed soy products. From there, we get another sweetener, organic cane syrup, which isn’t the most offensive, but sugar is still sugar.
The Triple Threat® Bar in Chocolate Almond says “Triple Threat” right on the package, but they probably didn’t mean “sweeteners, soy, and dairy” when they put it there. This bar is, in fact, a triple (or more) threat to your beauty and your health. The first ingredient alone, the chocolate covering, contains sugar, milk, and soy lecithin (basically the oil from the soybeans, used to hold everything together). Sugar is listed quite a few times on the list in one form or another (glucose syrup, corn syrup, sugar, fructose…). There’s also the protein blend, which includes whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate, and calcium caseinate. Again, your acid-forming dairy, highly allergenic and pesticide-sprayed soy, and a recipe for disaster. How are these bars marketed as health foods again?
Better options are celery with almond butter, The Power Protein Smoothie or chia seeds. These bars will rob you of your Beauty Energy, not give you more, but unprocessed organic foods will increase your Beauty Energy and digest more efficiently than the processed protein and energy bars that wreak havoc within the body.
Myth #5: Agave is a Good Sweetener Option.
Agave had a good reputation as a “healthy” sweetener for a little while. I bought into the hype at first, loving the idea of a low glycemic sweetener that I could use in desserts without too much worry. I too, I will admit, poured it into raw smoothies and used it in raw food desserts as if it were as harmless (even good!) as the acai I often consumed along with it. Agave is low glycemic, but it also contains more fructose than high fructose corn syrup (up to 90 percent versus 55!). In other words, it’s destructive to your skin, your liver and your overall health. While I might dabble in a little gluten here and again, especially when I’m traveling (like when I go to the mother land of India) the one thing I won’t touch now is agave. If a restaurant uses agave it’s not just in dessert, it’s probably in salad dressing and other dishes. So I just won’t eat there. It sounds harsh, but I’d rather eat at a Thai restaurant or if you’re in LA, Rahel’s Vegan Ethiopian (one of my faves). 
When you need a sweetener, consider stevia, organic maple syrup, xylitol, or dried fruit instead. When you use agave as an added sweetener, it’s not the same as consuming the minimal amounts of fructose that come naturally in whole fruits, and a Princeton Study found that fructose consumption like this (high-fructose corn syrup specifically, which, remember, has less fructose than agave nectar) can contribute to weight gain.
When you follow the Beauty Detox Solution, you can dodge most of the health food myths that arise, simply because we focus on whole foods that have always been—and always will be—just what your body needs to be its most beautiful and vibrant. There’s no dairy, plenty of protein (but not too much!), and nothing processed.
Please be conscious of what you eat, as it does affect your body and your overall energy. Don’t put crap in your body that cause cause inflammation of the body. You deserve the absolute best in all parts of your life, and if you strive for the best in your daily choices, and you will reach your highest potential.
With love, Kimberly
hi, kimberly, what do you think about rice syrup? thank you.
Hi Kimberly! I just read this post and I agree with you 100%. These things do urge me as well when people say this and that is “healthy”. I really love your blog and you are rawesome! I love these kind of posts!
I love your blog and your recipes! :)
Hi Kimberly! I loved your book beauty detox foods. I’ve been following your plan for about 4 weeks now and I notice a huge difference in how my body reacts after consuming clean food vs processed food. No more bloating!!! I am also a frequent customer at glow! I’m interested in what your favorite restaurants are in LA!
How do you feel about raw honey?
Honey — raw or not — is sugar in disguise. Raw, unpasteurized honey can actually be hazardous to your health, so be very careful if you’re going to consume it. Make sure you really get to know your supplier.
If you’re interested in a healthy sweetner that tastes good and carmelizes like sugar, I recommend monk fruit extract. Lakanto makes an excellent one. It’s zero calories and makes zero glycemic impact. Plus you can cook and bake with it. Since this is Kimberly’s website, I won’t post the purchase link but feel free to email me if you want it.
Yes, I am curious as well about local raw honey… that is what I am currently using as my sweetener for hot tea, steel cut oat meal (please don’t tell me that too is a health myth), and “raw” chocolate milk. Is it ok?
HI,
I love your newsletters – you have great reminders that really hit home on days when I need a little validation on my health path.
(it’s ‘teat’ not ‘teet’ : )
Thanks for all the great info!
kathleen
We are trying to stay away from dairy even though its kinda a hard transition because we grew up drinking and using it in a lot of recipes. My baby is now one and traditionally people think we should switch them to drink cows milk and from the reading I have done I do not want to. I was wondering if Almond milk is a good choice for a one year old. Our parents think we are not going to give our baby the fat and nutrition milk gives to our baby. And since you can’t force a one year old to eat other foods you know are better, I want to make sure he is getting the right nutrition and fat for his growing brain and body. Wondering if you had any suggestions or information on this that could help. Thanks so much!
Hi Kimberley,
What do you say about LARABARS? They are snack bars usually with 3-4 ingredients like nuts, dates, and salt. Sometimes I eat one every day.
Greek yogurt also contributes to “acid whey”. It’s a by product of making greek yogurt. It’s so toxic that putting it in the environment is extremely dangerous. From what ive read, its been stored away in barrels for now. Some other articles ive read have mentioned it been ised in our animal feed to “get rid” of it. I used to LOVE greek yogurt, but after learning about the dangers of dairy I quit cold turkey.
I am from Greece. Here we all consume our yogurt for years without any problem. Im wondering why Kim is so strogly against it?
Thanks for the tips these are great.
Hi Kimberly,
I’ve been looking at probiotic supplements, but which ones are best?
It’s been months and I still haven’t decided and have no idea which one to choose.
Any recommendations?
Thanks!
I have been told by several retailers, including Mother’s Market, that DigestGold Enzymes WITH Probiotics are the best. They are on the pricey side but they have worked wonders for me.
Thank you Kimberly for all your posts.
PLEASE, can you please let your readers know if organic HONEY is fine ?
Regards
Yes, I’m curious about your thoughts on honey as well! I’ve heard that local, raw honey is good, but I would love to hear your take. Thank you for all your advice and great articles!
Thanks for posting this! It is frustrating all the misinformation that is put out there today :)
I got mine online. Also, can you not get them directly on her website?
Hi!
Thank you so much for your help and all your beautiful messages!!! I started an ayurvedic program after trying green smoothies cause I started to feel bloated all the time…. Now, I’m not feeling better….
I would like to buy your books. Is there an another way to buy cause I have no credit card. I live in Montreal. Do you a place that I can found your amazing books !!!
Thank you
Annie
I live in Nova Scotia and bought my books at Chapters.
Hey Annie!
Its Emma Yoder and I am from PA. I think that you could get it from a bookstore. Tell them to call it in for you… or at the library. Also, if you don’t have a credit card, get yourself a Visa Gift Card and order it off Amazon with this.
Good Luck!
~Emma Yoder, PA
Hello,
I live in Montreal also and was able to get Kim’s books (both of them actually) at Indigo. They also have it at Chapters…hope this helps
Ah, the myth about protein is something I find myself constantly debunking when I talk to people about dietary needs. This just came up at dinner the other night when my stepsister’s boyfriend was talking about his protein consumption. He’s really into heavy lifting, weights over 200 lbs (he’s not fat at all–he’s ripped!), and was under the impression that he should be eating a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight. My jaw nearly hit the dinner table. People are so misinformed that it’s scary!
*weighs* over 200 lbs, not weights
O well, for professional athletes the norm is different (it is higher), so the guy is not as misinformed as you think. If you ask professional nitritionist (especially the one who specializes in athletic nutrition), you will get a confirmation of it. The protein norm is actually different by gender/age and the level of activity. There is not one magic number – same way as there is not one magic pill or diet.
Jenni – that has always been the bodybuilder way – and for the most part still is. They generally tell all men 1 gram/pound and women .5 gram/pound. Hard to debunk when all the “experts” have been preaching that for eons.
Could you recommend a good go to bar….what about Lara or Kind bars??
Thanks
Thanks for the reminders. Love your tips.
Wow, I just want to tattoo this article on my body so that every time someone nags at me to eat yogurt for breakfast I won’t have to repeat myself a hundred times!
Love this. Seriously, thank you so much. You have helped me change my entire lifestyle. I’ve been following your advice for a year now, and I’ve never been healthier or happier!
I feel the same way about protein!
This is all right on! Thank for continuing to bring this before our consciousness.
Hi Kimberly
I have don’t know if you can help me . My LDL is 104 HDL is 48 my glucose 6.2 and my Uric acid.7.5 . My Doctor give my a list of food I can take to lower my Uric Acid . That is not good for my glucose . What can I do that will help all of my problem I am not on easy medication at the moment .
I am 53 year old high 5-5 and my wight is 132 I don’t smoke and don’t used alcohol never used drug no junk food no soda the list can go on on . I juice a lot lots of green .
Help Lisa
Hi Kimberly why do you call it Greek yogurt?
Why do you call it Greek yogurt? Thank you?!
I so deeply and completely love the work you are doing Kimberly. Thank you so much. This is a fantastic article and it makes me feel so happy, inspired and excited to know you are educating and making a difference in so many people’s lives. Thank you again for being you.
Om
I stopped drinking milk and I’ve limited my meat consumption but what do you recommend someone with PCOS to eat? When it comes to food & hormones, don’t know what to eat :(
*yaaawn* nothing new. It’s just a little concerning that these are JUST getting debunked as “health foods!”
V interesting. As a mum of two girls, what should I give them in terms of ‘milk’……? Would appreciate an answer and some advice on feeding kids.
Thanks
I would like to ask about children and milk. Advice please. X
Thank you for passing the knowledge.
Is xylitol really ok? I’ve read afew conflicting reports on it recently. Also I’d like to know your opinion on raw (unpasturised) honey aswell, it seems to be really good for your spleen if I’m correct??
Many thanks, love your book and blog! X
what are good alternatives for milk to feed a baby that is no longer breast feeding? i know babies need lots of fat for proper brain growth and function, and muscle formation.
Is it okay to add some freshly squeezed orange juice to the GGS to make the taste more tolerable? I am not a green veggie eater and want to be, but the GGS tastes like grass to me. I added a little freshly squeezed orange juice (1/4 cup for entire 64 oz container) and it is much better. Is that okay?
I love fruits and have been eating all the berries for breakfast every morning. I sprinkle flaxseed and wheat germs on my fruits, is that okay to do?
What a great article! The information on greek yogurt and bars is so helpful. Can you tell me anything about the myth that active people need more protien? Do I need to worry about getting extra protein since I lift weights and run, or can I use the formula you gave me? Thanks as alwats for your wonderful advice.
I wish you would do a post for those of us who do have blood sugar issues especially with fruit. How can we correct this and enjoy fruit!
love the article! Thanks for keeping us on the right track. On another note I really would like to know your thoughts on homemade water kefir. Thanks again for sending us so much wonderful information and tips.
Hi Kimberly. I have enjoyed reading your emails and posts. I too am curious about Lara bars and your take on them. In addition to the blossoming beauty program, do you recommend juicing routinely. I have been known to juice for a week’s time every few months. And finally, what is your opinion on Raw brand supplements and protein powders? Thanks.
i love your books and your site, but recently, you have gotten a very condescending tone. i understand that you want to communicate your dislike for certain things, but your comments about the women pulling out yoghurt cups was *SO* unnecessary. yes, people are misinformed, and it is your job to inform them….but can you do without the snark? part of being a yogi, or even just being a nice person, is to realize that people are different and have different beliefs and we can gently use our actions and words to convey what we believe. being rude and snarky only turns people off and makes you come off as “holier than thou”, which I am sure is not your intent. please, be mindful of your words.
Sometimes for breakfast I’ll mash up a banana and mix it with oats, then cook it with coconut oil on a pan to make a pancake… Is this a bad decision, since I’m mixing fruit with grains and heating it up? Or is it fine to eat? Also, what do you think about Ezekiel bread?
Hi Kimberly,
Glowing Green Smoothie question for you… Instead of using Romaine, I have been using spinach and kale together instead. I am able to purchase large bags of organic spinach and kale, but the organic supply of romaine is limited where I live.
How do you feel about using those two vegetables as the base for the GGS instead? I incorporate the pear, apple, lemon and banana, but when trying to keep with organic, I have the best luck omitting romaine (otherwise it’s just romaine hearts).
I would greatly appreciate your advice, as I don’t want to take away from the many benefits the smoothie provides.
Thank you!
All your ‘Myths’ are a great read and I follow your recommendations all the time. I never eat dairy *except* about 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt midday. It’s going to be really hard to never eat yogurt again, because I love my midday yogurt break. I hate the word ‘never’ but I am going to try to stop my yogurt habit.
Thanks for the info Kimberly!
Yes! Thanks for this!
Thank you for sharing! I’m a firm believer in all you have Included in this.
Rice Malt Syrup is another healthy and tasty alternative to desserts etc.
Can you recommend any non-dairy yogurts that are not so sweet? Thanks.
@Jenni-
Yeah… 200g of protein per day, even for a young ripped guy, is a bit towards the high side but it all depends on activity & muscle mass.
However, the recommendation of .35g per pound (.76g /kg) is a bit too simplistic to apply across the board.
The reference sited gives the same protein needs for men & women and makes no distinction for muscle mass… hmm doesn’t seem quite right. IMO protein needs should be based on ‘lean’ body mass, age & activity level. I can assure you that your stepsister’s boy friend would have a very difficult time maintaining his muscle mass on a paltry 70 g per day. His 200g might be high but it’s closer to the right number than is 70g.
thank you for this post. i’m at work in marbela now and eating a lot of watermelon and cherries. i’m vegan (and recovering from bulimia), so it is sometimes difficult to find food. every time I eat fruit, I hear negative comments from people, like that is too much sugar, etc. I got an email from a friend today saying: don’t eat too much watermelon – spike in insulin = fat. it made me feel so guilty and took away all the pleasure of eating….whatever happened to good old fashioned – you’re beautiful just as you are and enjoy yourself….just depressed and confused….
Hi Jo, congrats on your recovery and strength to love and take care of yourself. I was sad to read your post and what your “friend” said. I’ve never heard of watermelon being a threat to anyone. That being said, keep up your good work and don’t be afraid to make some new friends that will support your new life. You don’t have to kick the old ones to the curb per se but you may have to let them know comments x, y and z are NOT HELPFUL. Take care,
Tiff
I just saw your reply and thank you so much for your kindess. Made my day. Let’s enjoy all natural juicy food guilt-free!
Hello Kimberly and all beauty detoxers, im a semi professional athlete, i ued to eat bunch of meat, protein shakes, energy bars and all that bs. 6 months ago i rstarted to follow Kims program, and cut out all meat dairy and eggs. My collegues laughed at me, telling that eating “birdfood” i will not handle trainings and loose muscles.Well now, after 6 months, professional test showd that i clearly gained more muscles, lost fat, became faster . Só its all true – you Dont Need Meat to get your protein. Thank you só much Kimberly!
“Om Namah Shivayah! Don’t be judgmentallllll! Be a yogi off the mat! I remind myself…”
haha I love that – I think the same thing when I see/hear people proudly show off their dairy. I hope this stupid yogurt craze dies soon – drives me crazy!! My question is, how can something so unhealthy be so socially accepted and the truth be so hidden?? When I tell people how bad it actually is, they thing I got it off the latest health magazine and that I’m lying or falling for fake research.
Hey Kim! Love Beauty Detox it has helped me so much!
I have a question though…I’ve recently started using Raw Organic Coconut Nectar. It has a pretty low glycemic index but am I buying into the hype like agave?
Wondering if you had heard about The Simply Bar and Simply Whey and what your thoughts were on this snack? (peanut, gluten and soy free, no refined sugar or sugar alcohols, vegetarian, no artificial ingredients 4gm sugar)