Find out if you've fallen victim to any of these popular nutritional myths:

Is juice healthier than soda?
If you're drinking unsweetened, pure, organic juice, then yes it is better than soda. However, the so-called "fruit drinks" found in most grocery stores are not as closely related to the fruit whose name they bear as you'd like to think. These drinks, often labeled "juice drinks" or "juice cocktails," are actually very high in sugar and calories, and will rot your teeth just as quickly as soda will. In fact, 8 ounces of fruit juice and 8 ounces of soda contain a similar amount of calories (approximately 100). So, while some fruit drinks contain as much sugar as soda, and are therefore not much healthier, juices that say "100% juice" on the label are a healthy choice. Just keep your serving sizes in check so as not to go overboard with calories.

Is red meat bad for you?
While red meat can be high in artery-clogging saturated fat, it also contains healthy and necessary protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. So, stop eating fatty red meat, such as minced meat (except the "extra-lean" variety), and start eating 2-3 ounces of leaner cuts of meat, such as filet mignon, twice a week. This way you won't miss out on any of the vitamins, minerals, and complete protein that red meat provides.

Is sugar fattening?
Sugar, a pure carbohydrate, doesn't contain any fat itself and isn't any more likely to turn into fat than any other carbohydrate, unless your intake surpasses the amount that your body can naturally process. However, sugar is high in calories, and excess calories result in weight gain. So, if you all you ate all day was a bag of candy, then no, the sugar will not be fattening. But most people eat sugary foods in addition to the other foods that they consume, and the resulting high number of calories may result in weight gain.

Will caffeine help you overcome a headache?
Caffeine increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers by about 40%. That's why it's in products like Anacin and Excedrin. Caffeine also appears to work by itself. One study found that 65mg of caffeine proved just as effective as 648mg of acetaminophen in alleviating non-migraine headache symptoms.

Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?
Apples contain antioxidants (which control substances that can damage cells) and phytochemicals (compounds found in plants). Apples are also rich in pectins, which are soluble fibers that are proven effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Which is healthier, butter or margarine?
Both provide the same amount of total calories and fat if you're trying to lose a few pounds. The only difference between the two is that a compound found in margarine, sitostanol, lowers blood cholesterol. Based on several studies, tub margarine is healthier than butter, as the latter has more hydrogenated oils than cholesterol-raising trans fat.

Are eggs excessively high in cholesterol?
Once again, moderation allows room for an occasional omelet, even within a heart-conscious diet. Eat sensibly and remember, egg whites are completely cholesterol and fat-free.

Does vitamin C help fight a cold?
Contrary to popular belief, studies have not found evidence that the vitamin can prevent or get rid of the common cold.

Do foods like pineapple, grapefruit or vinegar help speed up your metabolism?
There is no known food or combination of foods that is capable of stimulating weight loss.