Let’s be honest. We’ve all got that one snack we defend like it’s family. Mine is a bag of sour gummy worms that I pretend are “basically fruit” or the midnight ice cream trip I assure myself is well-deserved “stress relief.” For you, maybe it’s your daily chocolate ritual, or that spoonful of ice cream you swear has “no calories if eaten on a Friday.”.
But the truth is: so many of the stories we’ve told ourselves (and perhaps heard from others) about our favorite treats are myths we’ve accepted uncritically. And some of them are so deeply embedded we don’t even realize we believe them until we stop and laugh at ourselves.
For example, during World War II, the British Royal Air Force began using airborne interception radar to detect enemy aircraft at night during raids. To conceal this new technology, British intelligence launched a propaganda campaign that their pilots, especially the famous John “Cats Eyes” Cunningham, had exceptional night vision because they consumed a lot of carrots.
Posters, radio broadcasts, and campaigns touted carrots as a vision-improving superfood. Although carrots do contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A (essential for eye health), they don’t grant superhuman night vision. The myth persisted, however, and is still told today.
Some of these myths are so common that you may not even question them anymore. So go ahead and grab your snack (no judgments here if it’s cookies at 10 a.m.) and let’s debunk some of the most common myths about the foods we love a little too much.
Chocolate gives you acne
This is one of the longest-standing food myths. Chocolate has been blamed for breakouts for decades, but research has never been able to find a direct link. In fact, hormones, stress, and genetics are all more influential when it comes to acne than chocolate ever will be, says the American Academy of Dermatology.
If anything, dark chocolate has antioxidants that are good for your skin. So, perhaps an entire candy bar is not the way to go, but it is not the devil it’s been made out to be.
Popcorn is basically a junk food
Popcorn falls into the “movie snack” category, which is why people often think it is not healthy. But air-popped popcorn is actually very high in fiber and low in calories. Popcorn qualifies as a whole-grain-rich food according to USDA standards used in programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
This is not typical for a food we eat with our hands at a movie theater. The problem typically comes from drowning it in butter, salt, or candy coatings. So, in reality, it is less about the popcorn and more about what we put on it.
Chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years
We’ve all heard this one growing up, probably from a parent who just didn’t want us swallowing gum. But as per the Mayo Clinic, while it’s true that your body can’t digest gum, it doesn’t mean it gets stuck inside you.
Gum travels through your digestive system intact, the same as other indigestible substances (such as corn kernels or fiber), and is normally excreted in your stool within a couple of days. So, while an errant piece swallowed here and there will not harm you, it is not a habit worth encouraging. Essentially, your digestive system knows what it is doing.
Ice cream makes a sore throat worse
Were you brought up being told not to eat ice cream when you were sick? Yep, me too. But cold, creamy textures can temporarily soothe the discomfort of a sore throat. And soft, cool foods like yogurt, pudding, custard, and ice cream are also less painful to swallow, say sources like Allina Health.
They’re especially helpful when chewing is painful or when you’re trying to obtain nutrition without aggravating your throat. It won’t cure the illness, of course, but it also won’t exacerbate your symptoms. Sometimes comfort food really does live up to its name.
Honey is healthier than sugar
Honey is usually considered “better” than sugar, but things are not so simple. Yes, honey contains trace minerals and antioxidants that refined sugar does not, but nutritionally speaking, they’re more or less the same.
They are both added sugars, and too much of either one will affect your blood sugar and teeth. The glycemic index (GI) of honey ranges from 35 to 58, which may result in a slower rise in blood sugar levels compared to sugar. The GI of sugar is around 65, which causes quicker spikes.
Honey has more calories per teaspoon (approximately 21) than sugar (around 16), but because it’s sweeter by volume, people often use less. That doesn’t make it guilt-free, but it does make it slightly different.
White chocolate isn’t real chocolate
You’ll often hear chocolate snobs declare that white chocolate isn’t “real” chocolate. But technically, it is. It’s made from cocoa butter, the fat extracted from cocoa beans, which gives it its creamy texture.
What it lacks is cocoa solids, which are the part of the bean that gives chocolate its dark color and rich flavor. The FDA actually requires white chocolate to meet certain criteria to qualify as real white chocolate. So it might taste different, but it does have legitimate chocolate roots.
Nuts are bad for dieting because they’re too fatty
Nuts are stereotyped as “fattening,” but science says otherwise. Daily nut consumption is associated with better weight management, despite their high energy density, a systematic review and meta-analysis in the journal Obesity Reviews highlights.
Why? Nuts are full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber that keep you fuller for longer. The calories may be high, but they’re nutritionally dense, and that makes all the difference. In moderation, they’re friends more than foes.
Candy corn is made with actual corn
Every Halloween, candy corn makes its controversial return. Despite the name, there is no corn in candy corn; it’s just sugar, corn syrup, and waxy binders shaped to look like kernels.
We consume millions of pounds of it every year, which suggests that we simply can’t beat the nostalgia. But no, you’re not sneaking in a side of vegetables when you eat it. Sometimes, names are just marketing magic.
Sushi always means raw fish
Ask anyone to describe sushi, and they’ll almost always say raw fish. Actually, sushi is the description of the vinegared rice, not the fish. You can have sushi with cooked seafood, vegetables, or even egg.
Around the world, sushi takes many different forms. In Japan, sashimi (raw fish without the rice) is actually another dish. So, if you’re slightly squeamish about raw fish, you don’t have to dismiss sushi altogether.
Dark chocolate is always healthier than milk chocolate
Dark chocolate has a health halo, and it’s usually true; however, not all dark chocolate is created equal. The health benefits come from having more cocoa content, which translates to a higher antioxidant content. However, some dark chocolates are filled with sugar and additives, so they’re not that much better than milk chocolate.
The catch is that checking the percentage: 70% cocoa or higher will provide the real benefits. Otherwise, you could be eating a darker, sweeter version of a candy bar.
Frozen fruits and veggies are less nutritious
Most consider frozen second best to fresh. However, research led by Dr. Diane Barrett at the University of California, Davis, found that frozen fruits and vegetables consistently retain nutrients, often as well as, or even better than, fresh, especially when flash-frozen shortly after picking.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, however, can lose vitamins during transportation and storage. The taste might be a bit different, but nutritionally, frozen is equal. So go ahead and get that bag of frozen berries into your smoothie. Don’t feel guilty.
Potato chips are basically just potatoes
It’s difficult not to think of potato chips as sliced potatoes with some seasoning. However, by the time they reach the bag, most chips are far removed from their whole-vegetable origins. Most brands add oils, preservatives, and flavorings that take them far beyond “just potatoes.”
Pringles, for example, are made from flour, starch, and dried potato flakes, not fresh spud slices. That doesn’t make them any less tasty, but they’re definitely not as simple as they seem.
Sugar-free means healthy
The words “sugar-free” often lead us to believe that something must be healthy. But sugar-free goodies often replace sugar with artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can cause stomach problems in some people.
A 2022 review in Frontiers in Nutrition suggested that while some sweeteners are widely consumed to reduce calorie intake, their long-term efficacy in promoting weight loss is unclear and may depend on physiology and dietary context.
Additionally, many foods and beverages labeled as sugar-free still contain a significant amount of calories or fats. It’s one of those cases where the label sounds better than reality.
Eating carrots will drastically improve your eyesight
We’ve all been told to eat carrots for perfect vision, but this one’s more of a wartime myth than a nutritional fact. During World War II, British propaganda claimed pilots had incredible night vision because they ate carrots, when in reality, they were using radar technology.
Carrots do contain beta-carotene, which is beneficial to your eyes, but they will not give you superhero vision. The myth continued nonetheless, and carrots and eyesight are now forever connected. It’s a good example of food myth transcending fact.
Key takeaways
Many “unhealthy” snacks aren’t as bad as we think they are. Popcorn is a whole-grain snack food; nuts help with weight maintenance; frozen vegetables and fruits are just as nutritious as fresh ones; and chocolate does not cause acne.
Labels and names can be misleading. “Sugar-free” does not always mean healthy; candy corn contains no corn, potato chips are not just potatoes, and sushi does not always contain raw fish.
Health halos and food myths exaggerate reality. Honey is not significantly healthier than sugar, dark chocolate is not always superior to milk chocolate, and carrots won’t give you super vision.
Snacks have unexpected truths behind them. White chocolate is still actual chocolate, gum does not stay in your stomach for years, and ice cream can actually ease a sore throat instead of aggravating it.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
