A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. – Winston Churchill

For some reason people tend to believe myths, rumors, and false information before they will get the facts and find out what the truth is. Here are a few myths that are simply not true, and believing them can cost you your health.

Myth #1: Slim People are Healthy People – Research suggests that overweight people who are active can be healthier and live longer than slimmer people who don’t exercise. We all have different body types, and it’s about time we stopped focusing on size and shifted our focus on developing healthier habits.

Myth #2: Vegetarians and vegans don’t get enough protein. This one has been around for a long time, and plant-based dietitians have had enough. The belief that people must have meat to survive just isn’t based on evidence.

Myth #3: You should avoid all sugar—even fruit. Sugar-free diets are all the rage right now, but there’s a difference between sugar found in whole foods such as fruit and vegetables and the refined sugar found in processed foods. Those whole foods naturally come with fiber to help slow down your body’s absorption of their natural sugars.

Myth #4: You need to ban carbs to lose weight. This nutrition myth has been around for years and it drives dietitians like Kristen Smith, RDN, founder of 360FamilyNutrition, nuts. “Don’t be afraid to eat carbohydrate-containing foods, but try to keep the portions in check,” Smith says. “One of the best options for keeping portions of carbohydrates in check is to follow the USDA’s MyPlate method: Fill 1/2 of your plate with fruits and vegetables, 1/4 with whole grains, and 1/4 with a lean protein source.”

Myth #5: The diet that works for models and celebrities will work for you. So your favorite celebrity drinks nothing but tuna water and asparagus juice and lost 15 pounds in two days. Does that mean you should try the same thing and expect to get the same results? Of course not.

Thinking that celebrity diets will work for you is a huge myth dietitians hate. First of all, consider the source of this extreme diet information. Is it helping to sell magazines or get more page views? As The Plant-Powered Dietitian Sharon Palmer, RDN, says, “You have no idea if the purported diet is really what the celebrity consumes.”

Conclusion: Try to eat more fruits and vegetables, do a reasonable amount of exercise, and see your doctor or a qualified nutritionist about what you should be eating to stay healthy.