I’m a nutritionist — these wellness habits aren’t as healthy as you think

Isabelle Nunn is keen to debunk wellness myths that aren’t backed by science (Picture: Isabelle Nunn) From ‘fibremaxxing’ to protein-packed everything, healthy eating has never felt so complicated. And with wellness trends flooding our social feeds, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. According to one nutrition expert however, many of the habits Britons are spending time and money on are based more on hype than hard evidence. In a recent poll by Wild Nutrition, three in five people said they’re confused by the amount of health and wellbeing advice around today — and more than have felt misled after following something they saw online. In response to these figures, Isabelle Nunn, the supplement brand’s head of nutrition science and formulation, shares five common wellness myths she wishes people would stop believing. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,’ she tells Metro. ‘The best approach is to rely on expert-backed evidence, trust your body’s signals, and focus on habits that stand the test of time.’ 1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day While breakfast has long been regarded as the most important meal, Isabelle says it isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. Instead, it depends on your routine, lifestyle, and individual needs. Try porridge for a high-fibre breakfast (Picture: Shutterstock / Nadezhda Nesterova) If you’re aiming to lose weight, for example, research from Mayo Clinic has shown that intermittent fasting can help, alongside improving cholesterol and blood sugar in the short term. But for those who are diabetic or engage in regular exercise, breakfast is key for energy. When you do need to eat first thing, Isabelle recommends porridge oats, topped with raspberries, nuts and seeds, as an easy to make, fibre-rich meal to start your day. 2. You need to detox after overindulging In the Wild Nutrition survey, six in ten respondents said they believe they need to ‘detox’ their bodies after a period of overindulgence — but as Isabelle explains, your body already does this for you. The liver and kidneys form part of the body’s natural systems for processing and removing waste, meaning that post-holiday juice cleanse is completely unnecessary. Instead of restricting yourself to get your health back on track, the nutritionist recommends keeping it simple with a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and prioritising sleep. What do you think about these common wellness myths? I find them surprising and insightful.Check I already knew most of this information.Check I'm skeptical about some of these claims.Check This makes me re-evaluate my wellness habits.Check Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. 3. Apple cider vinegar can burn fat Apple cider vinegar has become a regular feature on social media — with the ingredient earning such a cult following it actually prompted a Netflix series. Given it’s often marketed as a way to lose weight, it’s not particularly surprising that more than half of Brits (54%) who took part in the survey believe apple cider vinegar can help the body burn fat. But Isabelle says there’s no evidence to support this, adding: ‘It’s perfectly fine to use as an ingredient in salad dressings or meals, but it shouldn’t be treated as a shortcut. ‘Changes to your wider eating pattern and lifestyle are more likely to make a difference than focusing on one food or drink.’ 4. You need electrolytes even when you’re not exercising Electrolytes are often promoted online as hangover cures or hydration enhancers, and 42% of those surveyed said they thought electrolyte supplements were necessary regardless of physical activity levels. Regular water is just fine (Picture: Getty Images) Yet while Isabelle notes they can be useful after a workout or stomach upset, normal water and a balanced diet are sufficient otherwise. She adds: ‘Between 2.5 and three litres of water a day, including water obtained from foods such as fruit, should generally be enough.’ 5. The highest-dose supplement gives the greatest benefit A final myth Isabelle is keen to debunk is that when it comes to supplements, the bigger the number, the better; something a third of people polled said they believed, On the contrary, she argues people should choose supplements according to their individual needs and lifestyle, rather than automatically going for the strongest option. That means looking for ‘products containing evidence-backed, bioavailable nutrients, meaning they can be effectively absorbed by the body’, as well as checking for unnecessary additives, sugars and sweeteners. This is especially important given the research found half of adults regularly diagnose themselves with nutrient deficiencies, despite only 23% seeking professional advice. So, how can we actually live a healthier lifestyle? According to Isabelle, increasing the amount of fibre in your diet is one of the simplest changes you can make. She says: ‘Fibre is not just key to digestive health; it has far-reaching benefits for mind, body and mood. ‘It feeds the trillions of microbes in our gut, responsible for supporting energy, hormonal balance and even how well we sleep, yet it is often easily overlooked.’ Although it’s become something of a trend recently, Isabelle argues it’s no fad, and we should all be treating fibre as ‘a fundamental part of a balanced diet and lifestyle.’ ‘Beans, pulses, oats, seeds, fruit, vegetables and wholegrains are all simple ways to weave more of it into your day-to-day,’ she adds. More Metro health stories Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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