Hmmm ... could it be true or just an old wife's tale?

National Archives and Records Administration

Dr. Rachel Vreeman, assistant professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis coauthored a book with Dr. Aaron Carroll called, Don't Swallow Your Gum!: Myths, Half-Truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health. I thought it might be fun to share some insights of hers, and others, into popular 'mom-isms' we've all heard, and possibly believed. Are they truth or fiction?

• Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes
• Wait an hour after eating before going swimming
• You'll catch pneumonia (or just a cold) by going outside with wet hair
• Eating sugar will wind kids up
• Food that falls on the floor is not safe to eat

So, what do you think? Truth or fiction? How about some of each? There is only 1 statement above that is true. Do you know which one it is?

Let's see. My dad used to always scold me and tell me to back up from the TV. Quite honestly, he was probably right in that advice ... back in the 60's. However, today's televisions just don't emit all that much radiation. It would be like saying, "Back up from that laptop!"

I spent a lot of time at the swimming pool when I was a kid. A lot! I grew up in a small town in Lancaster County where we could ride our bikes or walk nearly anywhere. Practically every single day for years, I hopped on my bike and my friend, Dawn, and I would ride to the pool. There were no warnings to wear sunscreen, but there sure were warnings about going in the water right after eating. We might have drowned, after all! So, is it true? Might we have drowned had we jumped in the water after eating a slice of concession stand pizza? Probably not. While you might get a slight cramp because your blood is working to digest your food rather than helping your muscles in their underwater activity, you aren't going to drown. According to Vreeman, there have never been any cases of drownings, or even near-drownings for that matter, associated with swimming after eating.

Pneumonia and colds are viral or bacterial. Therefore, you can not 'catch' them by going outside with wet hair. Heck, you could go out naked and not nab a virus. But I wouldn't recommend it, for countless reasons! You might catch a chill, however, which is unpleasant at best.

Here's a good one. Haven't you always believed that sugar winds up your kids? Hasn't that been your go-to excuse when your kids are misbehaving? Well, guess what. There is no evidence to support that theory. Rather, studies show there is no truth to it. Often, it's a parent's perception that determines that sugar-reaction, and not any actual behavior. Keep in mind, too, that artificial flavorings and food colors do affect your kids, and they are often part of that sugary snack or drink your kiddo enjoyed minutes before the tornado took over his or her body and brain! So, please, do not use the 'sugar' excuse as a reason to pump your kids full of aspartame or any other type of artificial sweetener! They are poison, and no child should ever consume them. I cannot feel more strongly about this issue.

So, that brings us to the one true statement. There is no safe 5-second rule, folks! Either your floor is clean, or it isn't. And that is what determines whether or not the food that just landed on it is safe to eat ... not a made-up 5-second rule. Unless it was just cleaned with vinegar or Norwex or something that is safe to put in your mouth, chances are very good, the food that hit your floor is not something you should put in your mouth! That's even truer for your little ones, so teach them not to do it! Here's the reason: According to Dr. Paul Dawson, professor of food science at Clemson University in South Carolina, if there are germs on the floor, they immediately transfer to the food. He and his college students conducted an experiment. They applied salmonella bacteria to wood and tile flooring. Then they dropped food onto the same surface and left it there for 5 to 60 seconds. Guess what? 99% of the germs showed up on the food. 99%! So, it's up to you whether or not to observe the 5-second gamble!

Lesson learned? When in doubt, do your research. Your momma (or papa) might know a lot of things, but sometimes,  she (or he) just might be misinformed!

Trying to keep on top of things,

Hana