Before I quite drastically changed my diet, I had misconceptions of food based on the 28 years I've been exposed so far to American society.
When I read Eat to Live and The China Study a lot of my perceptions about food changed. Here are some of the misconceptions I used to have, whether they were conscious or subconsciously affecting my habits.
Vegans are vegans solely because they care about animal welfare, because it's fashionable, or because they have a medical condition.
If I make the choice to become vegetarian or vegan, it'll be because i care about animal welfare, or because i have a medical condition. I've tried fashionable in the past, didn't work for me.
Milk, eggs, whatever is bad. No wait, it's good. No, it's bad. Good. Bad. Good. Which is it?
Chicken is better than beef.
Fish is better than chicken.
It tastes good, so eat it!
Wait 15 minutes to feel full, and eat more if you still feel "hungry".
Size portions smaller to prevent overeating, even if you don't feel full afterwards.
Hunger is a mental/abdominal feeling.
Reducing caloric intake alone is good for your health.
Vegan is healthy, but can also be just as healthy with typical animal-protein diet and exercise.
Juice is okay as a substitute for vegetables and fruit.
Heart disease and cancer have always been problems, and its increase is due to environmental factors.
Heart disease starts in mid-life.
I am not susceptible to heart disease because i eat "healthy".
Good non-animal products are wheat crackers, chips and salsa, processed vegetarian products.
It's hard to change your diet.
It's difficult to have conviction about dietary change.
Things like lettuce, celery are good in moderation but are not as nutritious if large quantities are eaten.
You get more protein from animal products than vegetables.
Constipated? Use a bulk fiber laxative.
Not enough calcium? Drink milk or calcium fortified orange juice, or eat antacid tablets.
