7 Foods that are Considered Bad but are Actually Good for you
Eating healthy has earned a reputation for being tricky, but that’s not always the case. In fact, here are 7 foods that are considered bad and unhealthy, but they are actually good for you- you can make these a part of your diet minus the guilt. Read on...
Egg Yolks
You might be avoiding egg yolks because of the fact that they contain high levels of cholesterol, but in reality, it is saturated fat and not dietary cholesterol that is responsible for poor heart health. Eggs aren’t just an amazing source of protein but also give your body good amounts of vitamin D, choline, phosphorus, selenium and even riboflavin and can help control your appetite as well.
Coffee
Yep- that’s true. While drowning in cups of coffee isn’t really a good idea, studies have shown that a couple of cups a day can actually be helpful for you. Apart from giving you that caffeine kick that makes you more alert, coffee also contains flavonoids which help improve heart health and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even type 2 diabetes.
Beef
If you’ve switched to a heart healthy diet, you may have probably ditched beef altogether, but here’s the deal- eating moderate amounts of red meat doesn’t just improve your diet quality but also help you lose weight. Make sure you pick organic and grass fed beef to gain the maximum benefits out of it.
Chocolate
Yes, you read that right! Chocolate isn’t always bad- infact, dark chocolate is a wonderful source of antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body and also helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Some studies have also linked its consumption to better cognitive performance and a modest decrease in elevated blood pressure levels.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits may have earned a bad rap for being high in calories, and while it is undeniable, they can actually be healthier than other snacks we tend to consume, that are not just high in calories, but also low in nutritive value. Most dried fruits contain vitamin A, C and other important minerals including folate, potassium and even fiber.
Ice Cream
You might be surprised to hear about this one, but yes, ice cream is also good for you. This is because it is a low GI (glycemic index) food that helps keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, which means you’ll be less likely to binge eat after you eat ice cream.
Shrimp
Shrimp is often considered bad, and while it does contain high amounts of cholesterol, it does not contain saturated fat, and unless both of them are consumed together, they do not affect blood cholesterol levels. That’s not all- shrimp is also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids which help improve heart health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
